backpacking mid-june

[kem.morehead]

Hi,

We're trying to plan a trip in mid-June with a group of high school students (we've done this before, but never at Yosemite). We (the trip leaders) have experience backpacking in Yo, but always starting in Tuolumne. I'm concerned that the higher elevations might still be snowed in on June 18th, when we plan to start the trip. So, I was thinking of starting at the lower elevations. We're going out for 4 nights. The three choices for entry trailheads that I'm thinking of are Happy Isles, Glacier Point to Illilouette, or Yosemite Falls (the North Rim). What route we take will depend on how low the snow is. Do these starting points seem reasonable? Will we be able to get a 4-night trip in starting at these points on June 18th? I know no one knows at this point how much snow there will be, but if this turns out to be a big snow year, would these starting points work?

Any other ideas?

Thanks so much for your help!

~kem

[AlmostThere]

I wouldn't be concerned about snow if the weather continues as it has been. You could probably go out today and have a few inches to contend with. I was supposed to go snowshoeing tomorrow but am leaving them at home... Last year was similar, and while there were some spring storms, none of the dropped much and it was gone by early June.

[balzaccom]

AT is right...with one caveat. You can never predict what the weather will do.

You have three good choices, for different conditions, although I think that Illiloutte Canyon and beyond is more interesting that the North Rim...

But if you've never hiked the North Rim, it will be fun for you to look over the edge at Yosemite Falls, North Dome, etc.