First time to Yosemite..... looking for guidance

[jeckertm]

Hello. So glad to have found this forum!!! A group of 4 (possibly 5) of us are planning a trip to Yosemite the third week of August this year. We are doing a three day hike with two night in the wilderness. We are good for up to 15 miles per day (so long as we're not taking on huge amounts of elevation) and would like to do something off the beaten path (back country). I'm looking for some suggestions of beautiful trails to take and places to do our overnights. It would be great if we were able to overnight near good fishing. I started to research Yosemite, but am so overwhelmed by it's vastness! A couple in our group are seasoned backpackers, however, I'm am not (have only done one other 3 night trip in the smokeys) and appreciate any ideas and insight you can give. Thanks sooooooo much!

[balzaccom]

I think that your criteria is matched almost perfectly by a hike from Mono Meadows to Lower Ottoway Lake. It's a total of about 32 miles, and you can camp the first day along Illilouette Creek, which has a ton of small trout--up to about ten inches. Then the second day you can camp at Lower Ottoway, where the trout are just as hungry, and larger (up to 14+ inches).

Stunning views, as well. This is a shot of the lake at sunset===notice the fish ring disrupting the reflection



Avoid Merced Pass Lake, if you are interested in fishing---it has no fish.

Hope that helps. There is a trip report in the destination section of our website for this hike---it should answer any other questions you have...

[jeckertm]

Thank you so much! That sounds perfect!