Half Dome Sunrise Hike

[IlliniReid]

I'm heading out to Yosemite on the May 20th, and will be doing a 6 day loop thru LYV, up Rafferty Creek to Tuolumne, then back down past Sunrise Lakes. I'm trying to hike Half Dome my last full day there, and was wondering where a good place to set camp the night before would be, and about when I should leave in order to catch the sunrise from the top.

Also, any other campsite suggestions on that route/ day trips I could fit in on that loop would be appreciated.

[balzaccom]

Do you like to camp near other people, or off on your own? LYV is always crowded. Head further up Merced Canyon if you want to leave at least some of those folks behind. If you go up Lewis Creek you could camp at Bernice Lake the second night. It's lovely and much less crowded that then area around Vogelsang and Tuolumne Pass...Cathedral Lakes will be crowded, as are Sunrise Lakes. You might look at lower Cathedral, since it's off the main trail...or hike over to Echo Lake for a night of more solitude

If you camp along SUnrise Creek the night, you will find others there who are planning to do the same think you are---climb Half Dome. Figure at least two hours from there to the top...more if you are in anything other than peak condition. And if you wake up those others camping at Sunrise Creek when you leave at 2:30 in the morning, Bad Karma will get you! ;^)