Help with 3 to 4 day Backpacking Trip

[Hiker721]

Hi there! My husband and I are planning our one year anniversary trip. We will have 6 days in Yosemite in the middle of July and would like to do a combination of backpacking and day hiking. We want to see some of the main sights, but also want to backpack away from the crowds. We're thinking maybe a 3-4 day backpacking trip along and some car camping. Any suggestions for an easy to moderate backpacking trip away from the crowds with maybe some lakes and nice views? Additionally, are there any recommendations for must-do hikes? We've read that North Dome might be better to do than Half Dome. Thanks!

[balzaccom]

HI there.

IF it's your first time in Yosemite, there is really too much to see! Great day hikes are:

Happy Isles to Vernal falls, Nevada Falls, and if you can get a permit and make the distance, Half Dome

Hike SEntinel Dome to Taft Point and Dewey Point off the Glacier Point Road

Hike through the big trees at Wawona

I am not sure that North Dome is better than Half Dome...it's not as good a hike. But Cloud's Rest from Tenaya Lake certainly competes with Half Dome as a hike=---and has better views

Climb Mt Hoffman from May Lake

Climb Lembert Dome or Pothole DOme from Tuolumne Meadows....and wander around in the meadows out to Soda Springs as well.

And the hike to Gaylor Lakes is also amazing

So those are a great bunch of day hikes.

Backpacking trips will depend on where you can get a permit...some of the hikes above can be included in a pack trip.

Check out our website for more hiking destinations in Yosemite....but you really can't go wrong!

[Hiker721]

Thank you for your response! That all sounds great. Do you know if you can backpack at Sunrise Lake High Sierra Camp? Are there tent spots there? Thanks!

[AlmostThere]

I am sure that by the time you get through being elbowed off the trail, you'd think North Dome is better than Half Dome! I do. The best hikes have views OF Half Dome. I am so tired of Half Dome drama and crowding and watching people die for no reason, I've been thinking about starting a petition to rip out the cables.

It would certainly be easier to get permits for anywhere else other than Half Dome.

If you prefer solitude for your anniversary, trails out of the trailheads along Tioga Road would be far more to your liking, and plenty scenic. For almost complete solitude, packing up a gallon of water and heading to Mt Watkins would be the ticket - no water, not your usual overnight destination, but awesome views of the face of Clouds Rest and the other domes of the valley.

[ndwoods]

And get your wilderness permits and campground or hotel reservations asap....

And I agree North Dome is a lovely trip...and I too would take that over Half Dome...having said that tho, a few years ago my hubbie and I spent at least an hour on Half Dome ALONE on the 4th of July! We did camp at LYV...one and only time...and got up early and beat the crowds. We didn't see anyone on the cables til about 0930-1000...