Recommendations for a ~30-50 mile Backcountry Loop

[gimme_wit]

I've never been to Yosemite before and looking for some trail recommendations. I'm looking for a loop (or trailheads I could get between without having to do a car drop), and something that I could reasonably get a first come first serve wilderness permit for. I've heard it is fairly easy to get a permit as a solo hiker, in most situations. I was looking at some loops in Hetch Hetchy and in and out of Tuolomne. I was planning to do 3 to 4 nights out traveling around 10 miles per day. I'm planning to go two weeks from now leaving on a Tuesday (picking up my permit on Monday). - Thanks!

[orion]

The Ten Lake loop is an option.

From Hetch Hetchy, there is a loop up to Lake Vernon, though the trail from Rancheria to Vernon is not the best hike, and you could skip Laurel Lake and spend an extra day exploring around Vernon instead.

From Tuolumne, an in-out to Young Lakes and a climb of Conness is a good introduction to the high country.

[Grzldvt]

There are a lot of options.
My first recommendation is the High Sierra loop. It is not the ultimate wilderness experience as you will be going from one High Sierra camp to the next. This is a very popular route, for a reason, and if you stay in the High Sierra camps you will be there with quite a few other folks. However, the loop really covers the ultimate in Yosemite's high country scenery.
My second option would be Glacier Point up through Illiloutte Canyon to Ottoway Lakes, over Red Peak Pass, and down through the Merced River Canyon.
Third choice, because of it's degree of difficulty is Twin Lakes, Peeler lake, Arndt Lake(Arndt Lake is aptly named as there Aren't any fish in it) to Benson Lake, to Matterhorn Canyon, Slide Canyon or Snow Lake and out to Twin Lakes.

[weendoggy]

Tuolumne Mdws to Young Lakes, cross country to Upper/Lower McCabe Lakes via the base of Mt Conness/Rosevelt Lake and then to Glen Aulin. From GA you can take a day hike down toward California Falls and back then next day hike back to TM.

[gimme_wit]

by Grzldvt » Sat Jun 16, 2012 2:36 am
There are a lot of options.
My first recommendation is the High Sierra loop. It is not the ultimate wilderness experience as you will be going from one High Sierra camp to the next. This is a very popular route, for a reason, and if you stay in the High Sierra camps you will be there with quite a few other folks. However, the loop really covers the ultimate in Yosemite's high country scenery.
My second option would be Glacier Point up through Illiloutte Canyon to Ottoway Lakes, over Red Peak Pass, and down through the Merced River Canyon.
Third choice, because of it's degree of difficulty is Twin Lakes, Peeler lake, Arndt Lake(Arndt Lake is aptly named as there Aren't any fish in it) to Benson Lake, to Matterhorn Canyon, Slide Canyon or Snow Lake and out to Twin Lakes.

I was able to score an advance reservation for Glacier Point -> Illiloutte. So, I'm going to take the second recommendation. I am planning on covering the loop in five days and staying in the backpacker's camp in the valley the night before and after. - Thanks

[Grzldvt]

Excellent