3-day trip questions

[klohnas]

This is only my second time in Yosemite and there are so many options! I've been looking for a couple hours and I still don't know where to begin. We only have 3 days, 2 nights in mid-July and any suggestions would be much appreciated.

The other time that I was there I backpacked for a few days in the Hetch Hetchy area so that we could avoid the crowded sections. But this time I am going with my girlfriend who has never backpacked so I want to check out a different section and I'm not as worried about crowds (although a little seclusion would be nice). Staying near a lake or river would be ideal.

Many trails are already reserved (Cathedral Lakes, Lyell Canyon, Glen Aulin, Ten Lakes) but I'm ok with not being on the most highly used trails. We will be there a few days before backpacking, so we could try for a first-come-first-served spot, but I don't know how competitive those are.

So my main preference is to not do anything too long or strenuous as to turn my girlfriend off from backpacking. I'm thinking 5-7 miles a day, like a nice 15 mile loop if possible. But we are also totally open to shuttling and hiking one way, or hiking into a nice spot and staying there for both nights and just doing day hikes on the middle day.

A few options I have come up with so far are...
Polly Dome Lakes
Snow Creek Trail (between Tioga Rd and Yosemite valley)
Nelson/Bernice Lake
Young Lakes (but 1 night is already reserved)
Mono Meadows

Let me know if you have any fun ideas... Thanks!

[Grzldvt]

Given what you are looking at I like the Polly Dome Lakes trip, then head up to May Lake and out down the back way to Tenaya. One of the HUGE advantages is the first night you are in the wilderness and roughing it, the second night you at a High Sierra camp with running water, facilities, etc. If your girlfriend is a bit turned off at totally roughing it, May Lake presents a good alternative for a bit more civilized experience, yet still backpacking. May Lake can get crowded in July and you are literally in a backpackers campground. I have taken many rookies on this trip and it has worked out really well.

[balzaccom]

I thnk Grzldvt has exactly the right idea. The Murphy's Creek trailhead rarely fills up, and makes for an easy day to Polly Dome Lakes. The next day, if you are feeling vigorous, you can set up camp at May Lake and then climb MT. Hoffman...and hike out the next day. Lovely area, easy hiking, enough people and civilization around to keep your girlfriend from feeling too agrophobic...

[klohnas]

Thank you both so much for responding. We are definitely taking your advice and heading for Polly Dome Lakes. We aren't so sure that we want to be around the crowd at May Lakes though. I think my girlfriend will be ok with some seclusion, just might not be happy with long, strenuous hikes.

We are thinking of going to Polly Dome one night and then heading to Raisin Lake for the other night. I've read that it is off trail, but it is also only 1 mile from May Lakes so I am not too worried about it. I think this would be the nice short hike we need but also beautiful and peaceful.

Do you think this sounds like a good plan? I have a compass and am going to buy a good map! I appreciate your input very much.

Kym

[balzaccom]

I don't see Raisin Lake on my maps....so I can't give you much advice there.

You could also head over to McGee Lake...lovely spot.

Bear in mind that Polly Dome Lakes are not on a trail. But they are hard to miss. Take the Murphy's Creek Trail, and after about three miles you will see a huge cairn (stack of rocks) on the right-hand side of the trail. That cairn marks the use trail to Polly Dome Lakes. The last hundred yards is really steep, as you head up the ridge...but it's only 100 yards, and then you are at the largest lake!

[Grzldvt]

i can fill you in on Raisin lake. It is off trail too, but you can see it from the trail. I am thinking it is about 1 mile past the Ten lakes trail sign. You will come up the trail between two large chunks of granite and get a view point looking out toward the Murphy Creek area as you progress off of that keep your eyes to the left and you will see a small meadow and Raisin Lake just beyond that. There is great camping out past the lake itself. .

[klohnas]

Got my trail permits!! Going out on Murphy Creek Trail and coming back on May Lake Trail 2 days later.

Balzaccom I appreciate the details of getting to Polly Dome Lakes. Also here is a map that shows Raisin Lake if you're curious-
http://thebestsithlord.files.wordpress. ... e_day6.jpg

Grzldvt I appreciate the details on finding Raisin Lake. I actually think it was through a reply you posted on someone else's question on the forum that gave me the idea of Raisin Lake!

Many Thanks!

Kym