Backpacking with 8 & 10 Year Old - 3 days in Early June.

[killi]

Hi All
We have never been to Yosemite but have decided this is the time and place to expose our 8 and 10 year old to the wonders of backpacking. We plan to stay in Oakhurst for June 10 and then begin hiking on June 11. (We could change our plans for Oakhurst if that doesn't seem like a good place to start, just wanted to get something booked). We plan to camp in the Back country for June 11, 12, and 13 -- 3 nights and then head out. I would love any suggestions about possible trails that are scenic and don't involve too much mileage or are too strenuous. I also need guidance if we need to secure permits in advance (enough time?) or can we get them there?

Thanks much!

[Grzldvt]

Here is a thought park your car at Tenaya/Murphy Creek Trailhead. Take the trail to May Lake, and spend the first night there. The High Sierra camp is closed, and I suspect not crowded, if anyone at all. The second night I would go to Raisin Lake. The third night Polly Dome Lakes and out to Murphy Creek. There is a climb the first day, but it is not too bad, then the rest is pretty much downhill to Raisin and fairly flat to Polly Dome Lakes and out.
Another option - I did this with my daughter We parked at the May lake lot, and spent our first night at May Lake, the second night at Raisin Lake, and the third back to May Lake
Short days, however the climb out of Raisin back up to May is a decent climb, but she certainly handled at the same age. This way if anything happens you are within striking distance of a quick out.
The first day we hiked in, setup camp, and then went back down and drove over to Lembert Dome hiked to the top, and went on tour of Tioga Pass. Came back, had dinner, and enjoyed the evening in camp.
My goal was to make it easy enough for them to enjoy their first time without doing a death march.
You will need a permit, and a bear canister, both available at the Toulumne Meadows permit site. On those days you will not have ay problems securing a permit.
My partners in crime and I will be coming out of the May lake area on June 11th, at least that is the plan at this point. So maybe we will run into each other if you decide this works.

[balzaccom]

Very good suggestions!

And if that trailhead quota is full, you can do the same hike in reverse. The Murphy Creek trailhead is much less popular, so there is usually room.

[killi]

Thank you so much for the suggestions!!! Hope to see you out on the trail.

[Grzldvt]

As I think about it more, with this being your very first trip I am leaning heavily to drive to the May Lake parking lot, hike to the camp, setup, come back down and tour Tioga Road, Lembert Dome and Pothole Dome are must do's. Spend the evening in camp, and head down to Raisin Lake, you have a few yards of off trail to get there, but you can see the lake from the main trail. Setup camp and then head out on the trail to Glen Aulin for a nice day hike. McGee Lake is not a bad destination. From the side you are coming in at, as you get the the shore line step over to the edge of the lake and you have a classic photo of Mt. Conness reflected in the lake, if it is calm. The third day back up to May lake. If the kids are feeling ambitious you can follow the trail out to Mt Hoffman and head up. You can go about half the climb and get incredible views. I have not done Hoffman in several years but I understand they have improved the trail. Again you do not have to go to the top to get incredible views.

[balzaccom]

The trail to the top of Mt Hoffman is still pretty sketchy. We were there the weekend it opened...and it is still a steep climb. Definitely not for small kids.

[AlmostThere]

Don't forget to teach kids wilderness safety.

http://www.monosar.org/safety_article_hugatree.html

[Grzldvt]

The trail to the top of Mt Hoffman is still pretty sketchy. We were there the weekend it opened...and it is still a steep climb. Definitely not for small kids.

Not advocating the total climb, but my kids managed to a fair amount of it at the same age.
HOWEVER - a few years back a friend and I decided to spend the night on top of Hoffman. As we are starting the climb we come across a group of people at minimum were in their late 60's. Several were using canes....WHAT!!!! How they got as far as they did was simply amazing. How some of them even got to May Lake blew us away????
Being the social butterflies we are we start chit chatting with them and find out the plans were to get to the top!!!
We find the leader and ask where is he taking them? "To the top of Hoffman" Uh Hello!!! have you ever done it... No Do you realize you have to climb this wall, as we point to where he needs to go? His comment "No" I didn't realize it was so far up." Told him he needs to stop now as several of the people in the group are struggling to keep up. His answer "oh really, I didn't realize that." Holy crap, what a clueless leader.

[Chlo83]

We are planning something similar to this with our 7 year old. We currently have one night booked at May Lake HSC (we are coming from Australia so not bringing camping gear is a plus) and are hoping to get into Glen Aulin the night after. Do people think Tioga Rd - May Lake - Glen Aulin - Tuolumne Meadows is do-able for a child of that age?

Or would be better doing the night up to May Lake and then staying in TM and doing some day walks. We will have a couple of nights on the Valley Floor as well but are keen to get her into the idea of backpacking

[atomicmonkey]

Killi, I hope you realize what you are getting into.....your kids lifelong addiction to the outdoors!! Two years ago, we took our 8 year old son from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley and he was permanently addicted. Last year we did the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River and this year we have several trips planned. All he can think about is being outdoors whether it is backpacking, mountain biking and now, some light rock climbing. My suggestion for you is to give your kids jobs for the trip. We gave our son three jobs; navigation, building a campfire and making smores. We spent allot of time practicing these before the trip. It really gave him a sense of importance. It also really helped get him through any tough parts of the day and we got served some really great smores! Good luck and I hope you and your kids have as much fun as we have had!