backpacking trail options From Toulomne to the Happy Isles

[kmahony1]

I am planning a 2 night/3day backpacking trip starting at Toulomne ending in Yosimite Valley, and I have a few questions:

1. I want to take the scenic route, Clouds Rest. Is there an actual trailhead for Clouds Rest at Toulonme or do I take another trail initially before turning on to Clouds Rest.

2. Is 2nights/3 days long enough to this hike via Clouds Rest and also trek up Half Dome or should I try to add another day?

3. Are there ample places to get water along the Cloud's Rest trail?

4. Where to camp the first night. (Second night would be Little Yosimite)

5. Any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[balzaccom]

1. The usual Trailhead for this hike is Cathedral Lakes...which fills up very quickly, for obvious reasons. IT's a part of the john Muir Trail, and lots of people want to use it.

2. You should be fine. First day is a bit long, if you try to go all the way to Cloud's Rest and continue on to Sunrise Creek. You could spend a night at Sunrise HIgh Sierra Camp for a shorter first day. Day Two over CR to the creek on the far side; D ay three to climb Half Dome and then head down to LYV, and then home.

3. There is good water at the Sunrise High Sierra Camp, and then later along Sunrise Creek before you climb Cloud's Rest. There is no water on top of CR.

4. See #1 above.

5. This is pretty great country. You could also start at Tenaya Lake and head directly to CR, up and over to Sunrise Creek. If both trailheads are full, you could start at the Nelson Lake (Elizabeth Lake) trailhead, It is almost never full, and it's fairly easy xcountry to Nelson lake, then down canyon and cross over to Echo Canyon and then Sunrise Sierra camp...I've also done most of the trip you are suggesting by starting out at Tuolumne Meadows and going up over to Vogelsang, then down Lewis Creek to Merced Lake...From there you could have a memorable day climbing both Cloud's Rest and Half Dome on the same day (!) or doing CR, then HD< and home.

[kmahony1]

Balzaccom, Thanks for the quick reply. Could you offer some clarification on the following:

1. I want to make the first day the "long hike" up to Clouds Rest, that being said, at which campground would I camp the first night, Sunrise?

2. And would the 2nd nigh camp be Little Yosimite Valley, followed by the ascent of Half Dome the on the 3rd (final day)? (and then down to the Valley the same day.

3. And if I do what I planned: 1st day up to Clouds Rest (fist night camping); 2nd day on towards Half Dome, Camp at Little Yosimite Valley; 3rd Day climb Half Dome and then down to the Valley .... What would be the (approximate) milage breakdown for each day?

Thanks so much again!

[AlmostThere]

Balzaccom, Thanks for the quick reply. Could you offer some clarification on the following:

1. I want to make the first day the "long hike" up to Clouds Rest, that being said, at which campground would I camp the first night, Sunrise?

2. And would the 2nd nigh camp be Little Yosimite Valley, followed by the ascent of Half Dome the on the 3rd (final day)? (and then down to the Valley the same day.

3. And if I do what I planned: 1st day up to Clouds Rest (fist night camping); 2nd day on towards Half Dome, Camp at Little Yosimite Valley; 3rd Day climb Half Dome and then down to the Valley .... What would be the (approximate) milage breakdown for each day?

Thanks so much again!

I think you are confused - the only campground in the wilderness is in Little Yosemite Valley, and it is a designated area more than a campground. You can set up your tent wherever you like as long as it is the required distance from water, road and trail.

You could do this in any order you like - you have the freedom to choose when you do things. You could summit either at night, the same day, etc.

I would hike to Sunrise Creek, set up camp, summit Clouds Rest without the heavy gear, come back to camp. That might even result in a sunset on the top. Then I would go somewhere other than Half Dome, for I don't like it - but in your case you could go on to LYV the following day, pick a site in the designated area, and go summit Half Dome again without the heavy pack. Then hike out on the first day.

I would set up the tent with doors open so critters could investigate freely and leave, put everything I'm leaving that has a smell in the bear can, and never leave my pack anywhere - small creatures will tear tents to look for your food and bears will steal backpacks.