May Backpacking Suggestions

[parrapluie]

Hi!

I'll be visiting Yosemite in May for 8 days near the end of May and I would like to do a 3 to 5 day backpacking trip through the park. I understand that a lot of the high passes will still be snow covered but that isn't an issue for me provided there are no crevasses (there aren't any glaciers in Yosemite no?), severe avalanche dangers (I have basic avalanche training) etc. and I'm not camping onthe snow. I'm bringing a bag rated to -12C and a 3 season backpacking tent. I was planning to start out at Toulumne go to Vogelsang then Merced Lake along Little Yosemite Valley and then back along the John Muir Trail. Is this safe to do in May? And if not are there other suggestions for good trips in the park?

Thanks for any help! : )

[AlmostThere]

You'll have to wait and see if Tioga Road is open in May. I don't see why it wouldn't be, but they do need time to clear fallen trees and rocks.

I doubt there will be avy issues when there is so little snow. Several feet fell just last week up in the Sierra, but prior to that snow has been sparse. There will not be high passes on the route you describe.

[IlliniReid]

I'll be there around that time as well! I planned my route assuming Tioga Road wouldn't be open, so I'll be doing a 7 day loop starting at Happy Isles, swinging through the valley to Merced Lake, up Rafferty Creek (or maybe Lyell Canyon, haven't decided yet) to Toulumne Meadows, then back down the John Muir Trail to Sunrise Lakes, and finishing off with the Half Dome hike my last day. (Anyone who's hiked that part of the park, feel free to let me know if I'm crazy for trying that loop )

I emailed the park Rangers a few weeks back, they told me there's a 50/50 chance Tioga Road will be open around then, and the cables are supposed to go the May 23rd if you're planning on doing Half Dome.

As far as good hikes, everyone I've talked to who's been to Yosemite hasn't had anything bad to say about any of the trails they did, if that helps at all