Half Dome and Echo Creek Trail

[bbmq]

I have a 5-day permit for a hike that includes Sunrise Lakes, Cloud's Rest, Half Dome and Cathedral Lakes. I don't know the status of water supply and wildfires, starting with Half Dome. Does anyone know of any wildfires currently burning nearby that would affect visibility from up top?

Also instead of taking the JMT from Sunrise Creek to Sunrise I would like to loop over to the Echo Creek Trail and make camp on the first mile or two. I've never been on that trail before but my map shows a creek crossing on the lower end, is that a decent place to camp and does anyone know how the creek is holding up and is there enough water?

Thanks.

[balzaccom]

Right now the fires seem to be dying out/getting under control. You may not have perfect conditions ( Thunderstorms predicted for the next couple of days) but it will still be memorable. If it does look like thunder and lightning do NOT climb HD.


Don't know about the water in Echo Creek. It's a dry year, but so far we haven't crossed any streams that are completely dry

[balzaccom]

And now there is a fire on Highway 120 (the Big Oak Flat Road) into Yosemite...which is probably smoking things up badly

[bbmq]

balzaccom, do you know anything about Echo Creek Trail? If there is decent camping options in the lower mile or two then it would make for a good place distance-wise to make camp on my third night and then spend the next/last night in Upper or Lower Cathedral Lake. Is the hike up Echo Trail steep?

Thanks and also thanks for the wildfire info.