2-3 nights of backpacking

[bafol]

I will be coming to Yosemite the second week of June... realize I have to reserve FAST for permits as I understand they book early. This is all new to me - put us in the Half Dome lottery but we really wanted to swing a few nights of backpacking (already booked solid). Would welcome some suggestions for 3 day loop. We are in pretty solid conditon though havent been hiking recently (will train here on out) I spoke to a ranger who suggested Clouds Rest loop. I watched some films of the ridgeline approach and was somewhat intimidated by it (my 18 year old son was psyched of course)
Soooo wondering if it is as terrifying as it looks - if so, any other suggestions?
Also - I never see films of anyone with their backpacking gear. Do they stow it at the base of the trailheads to the peaks and take daypacks for wind/water gear?

[balzaccom]

First of all, the trailheads are nowhere near full. Check out this link to see where there is still quota availability:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/u ... lheads.pdf

You are correct, that the five or six really popular trails have been booked solid. But there are so many others that are open. Instead of Glacier Point, look at Mono Meadows. Instead of Rafferty Creek, do a quick cross country and do Nelson Lake.

We have a ton of hike reports on our website, and many of them leave from trailheads that are still open.

Or you can simply take a permit on the morning of your hike, and you will probably get something perfectly good.

Three day loop? Tuolumne Meadows to Nelson Lake. Nelson Lake to Bernice Lake. Bernice Lake down Lyell Canyon and back to TM. Yeah, the first day is part off-trail, but dead easy

Or come into Yosemite through the Inyo National Forest: Walker Lake trailhead to Lower Sardine Lake. Day two day hike up to Mono Pass and climb Mt. Gibbs, day three back out again.

You will have no problems with either of those permits.

[Grzldvt]

Take a look at Toulumne Meadows to Glen Aulin, spend the rest of the day exploring the Glen Aulin area, the Day 2 head down to LeConte/Waterwheel Falls, explore the falls and enjoy the trail down and up. If we get more snow, the Toulumne can be incredibly photogenic. The spend your third day hiking out
Pics to one of my trips
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grzldvt/sets/72157633280654074/

[AlmostThere]

Don't leave your backpack anywhere unattended. Bears in the Clouds Rest/Half Dome area are aggressive about getting food and will steal and destroy packs to try to get it, even if it's in the bear can in your pack. People you see without packs in pictures are likely day hikers. Clouds Rest is one of our annual day hikes.