First Wilderness Hike - Old Big Oak Flat to Yosemite Valley

[seanpcook]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking forward to my upcoming hike in the Yosemite Wilderness. It will be my first in the park, so I'm pretty excited. I'll be hiking from Old Big Oak Flat trailhead to the Yosemite Valley. I've planned for two nights and three days at a pace of about 8-12 miles per day, depending upon trail/weather conditions, sightseeing opportunities etc.

I'm pretty confident that I'm prepared for this short trip with all of the necessary equipment, but I wanted to ask more experienced Yosemite hikers about their experiences hiking on this trail in early July. What should I expect in terms of morning, afternoon and evening weather? Would it be wise to bring my head net (I'm thinking yes)? Are there any peculiarities about this trail that I should be aware of?

I've already looked at historical weather conditions, and I see that the high temperature for this time of the year in Yosemite is consistently between 93-100 over the last 10 years. How will it feel at the altitudes I'll be hiking?

Any tips/comments/recommendations about my upcoming trip would be much appreciated. I'm looking for all types of suggestions that will help enjoy this trip.

Thanks in advance for your insight.

SC

[balzaccom]

I would just make sure that I had enough water in this dry year...

Mosquitoes might well be disappearing by then...and it will be hot at those lower elevations!

[seanpcook]

Thanks Balzaccom for the tips. I plan on packing in plenty of water for the first day/night, plus an emergency store. But my topo map shows us crossing several creeks along the way, which I planned to take water from to treat and drink. Is this a good idea, or should I not count on them flowing abundantly?

[balzaccom]

You should be fine later on. It's that first day that will be hottest,,,and driest.

[bill-e-g]

My suggestion is to think about going from Tamarack Flat CG instead
this time of year.
If you do go from OBOFR TH... Wildcat will prob. have a trickle. Tamarack will have water
.. Cascade... yes. Ribbon... yes.
You should be well aware that you will be hiking up 3000 ft. before you get to El Cap.
I would not be surprised if you start going up after Cascade Creek... and say "wth was I thinking?"
It will be very hot.

Have fun

[Patsfans]

I am planning the same hike, same time of year for 2013. bill-e-g i was wondering what your reasons were for going from TF CG instead of OBOFR? We have a permit for OBOFR, not sure if you can change that?

[AlmostThere]

I am planning the same hike, same time of year for 2013. bill-e-g i was wondering what your reasons were for going from TF CG instead of OBOFR? We have a permit for OBOFR, not sure if you can change that?

That was last year's post, and I am not sure bill is still around this forum.

He was saying that it is a steep hot trudge in a low water year. This year will be a little better because there will be more snow runoff. However, in June it will still be a hot and steep climb.

From Tuolumne CG the rim and the valley floor are mostly downhill.

[Patsfans]

Yeah i noticed it was last year but just thought i would try. Getting back to the car at TM CG would be a concern for me. I also sent a note to seanpcook to ask him what he decided on and how it went.

[kdia]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the useful information you posted!
We plan 10-14 days visit to California and definitely want to include Yosemite in our program.

I found some nice pictures about the National Park:
http://guideme24.com/en/united-states/sacramento/yosemite-national-park/pictures-p12.html

I'm looking forward to see that in real...