Choice between Clouds Rest & Echo Valley

[donnagail]

I have a permit for Toulumne/Sunrise and exit Happy Isles in July and permits for hiking HD reserved. We only have 5 nights/6 days for backpacking. For side trips, on our way to LYV we wanted to hike Clouds Rest OR hike towards Merced Lakes (which would add a lot of miles in a single day) and hiking through Echo Valley to get to LYV. Is Clouds Rest better as a day hike instead of backpacking? If so, is there camping available between the junction of JM and Clouds Rest at Sunrise Creek with water resources so we could day hike HD one day and the next day hike the Clouds Rest loop.

Since we will not have enough days to do both Clouds Rest and Merced Lakes/Echo Valley to LYV, I think we really need to figure out which trail has more dramatic scenary since we will not have time to do both. Any thoughts out there? Clouds Rest VERSES Echo Valley from Merced Lakes to LYV. We do have one inexperienced backpacker in our group that is not in as good of shape as the rest of us.

Any ideas about the best route/camping areas would be appreciated. This will be our first trip to Yosemite and we want to see the best of the best as far as the scenary.

Donna

[mknight1984]

I am planning a backpacking trip with me and my girlfriend to Yosemite in august, we have never been. We are looking at entering through the Sierra national forest and doing the breeze lake loop. It seems to be the perfect amount of time around 4-5 days at a slow pace taking in much scenery and relaxing around the lakes. My first of a few questions is if anyone has done this loop where are the best places to set up camp along the way and also what exact trail head will lead to the loop around these lakes such as chain lakes, breeze lake ans moraine meadows. we are thinking about a trek up gale peak as well.

so basically we are looking for the trail head to lead to the loop and suggestions on where to set up camp for a 4-5 day trip around this area. i gave a link to show the area we are talking about and to also show about how much info i have gathered so far. someone now familiar with the area you can see how little i have to work with. thanks in advance!

http://www.backpacker.com/destinations/hikes/8576

[balzaccom]

Clouds Rest is a great day hike...I would just do it that way.