Backpacking this memorial day weekend

[uclagroup]

Hi everyone,
I was hoping someone could give me some information on backpacking in Yosemite. Myself and a group of about 11 others are trying to put together a trip for this weekend if possible and none have us have ever been backpacking up there. I'm wondering what trails would be ideal for a group this big were pretty open to hiking up to 10 miles a day although some have very little experience backpacking. Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks!

[balzaccom]

You are right at the limit of what they allow in terms of the size of group. 12 is max. And it is going to be very hard to find a popular trailhead that has that many openings on it. My advice is to look at the less popular trailheads, and see what might be available at this late date: Mono Meadows, Snow Creek, Rockslide, etc.

You can always find good places to go--once you have your permit!

[AlmostThere]

The max is actually 15 for on trail hikes, 8 for off trail.

You're getting a late start and it's a holiday weekend. You need to go to nps.gov/yose and visit the wilderness page, and look at the trailheads report and see which still have room on them. Look at the quotas for the trailheads, and assess the likelihood that you'll get your whole group on one of them.

Trailheads you will most likely be able to get will be Ostrander (Lost Bear), Chilnualna (near Wawona, uphill steadily for four miles), Alder Creek, Bridalveil Creek, Mono Meadow....

Get a map and look at mileages, and understand that you will need to be flexible. A large group plus last minute planning is stacked against you.

Don't forget to leave room in about half the packs for the bear canisters you will need to rent. No canister, no permit. Save a bear, avoid a fee and being thrown out of the park, use the canisters.