First Time Backpacking in Yosemite

[FirstTimer]

Hello everyone, I'm planing a three days - two nights backpacking trip with a friend in Yosemite on late August and in need of some advise.

I am in good shape and have some experience in backpacking but this is my friend's first time.

I've researched the trails in the park and wilderness permit procedure and figured that this might best trail that I can find a permit to this late in the season.

I was thinking on starting in either Tamarack Creek or Old Big Oak Road and pass through El Capitan, Eagle Peak, and North Dome and coming out in Mirror Lake.

What are the best places for camping during and before/after the we are done with the trail? is there any designated areas while in the wilderness?

What is the water situation on the trail?

Thanks for any tips and advice!

[AlmostThere]

Any of the low elevation trails will be really, really hot. I would plan to pick up the permit the previous day and start hiking as early as you possibly can get to the trailhead, if you use OBOFRT trailhead - the first miles are blistering hot due to the exposure, that area burnt twice in the past decade.

You'll find campsites but the rangers will tell you which ones are legal - away from water and the trail, at least one mile from any road, and well above the valley rim. Water can be difficult - check with the rangers on which creeks are still running. This is a dry year so you'll want up to date information as of the week you are hiking, not information you are given today... no way for us to predict exactly where water will be. Last year was also dry and some year-round streams were drying up, not looking forward to what it will be like this year...

You will probably run into a fire ban. I'm actually anticipating that they may at some point forbid us to even use a stove. It's pretty dire.

[balzaccom]

If there are only two of you, ask for a permit to Nelson Lake. You can hike there the first night (Elizabeth Lake trail, then cross country to Nelson Lake). The next day hike up past Reymann Lake to Tuolumne Pass, and continue over Vogelsand to Bernice Lake. Then back down Rafferty Canyon or Lyell Canyon home.

Much better hike.