2-3 nights backpacking trip in august

[samkooky]

Hello everyone,

My brother is visiting from Europe this August, and we are planning a 3-day trip to Yosemite.
I've only been once to Yosemite, and it was in the winter.
We will be travelling during the weeks days in August. I am seeking advice and recommendations on which areas (trails) to focus our visit:

- I would like to avoid the crowds as much as possible (moderately crowded trails are ok).
- We will have one car. We are willing to use a shuttle and public transportation. A loop is ok as well.
- We'd like to be by water streams and lakes. There's nothing better than enjoying fresh water during the warm summer months.
- I assume permits are already booked for this season, so we would need to grab them at a ranger station.
- We both have extensive hiking experience, so strenuous sections are not a issue.

However, we definitely favor a nice wilderness experience to a strenuous physical challenge. It will be his first time visiting the Sierras and my first time visiting in the summer

Thank you for hosting this website. Your recommendation are much appreciated !

[Grzldvt]

In August there is no way you will avoid crowds/people. It is the most popular time in the park and it is busy. Having said that Mono Pass to Parker Pass seems to be a road less traveled. You can camp past Parker Pass. The next day you can go over Koip Peak Pass and down into Alger Lakes. The next day come back out over Koip Peak. It is a pretty cool area to go into, less crowded for some reason than other parts of the park.
It is a pretty steady uphill hike from the trailhead though a forest, until you cross over the meadow, then you need to get past the Parker Pass sign to camp. The next day you climb Koip peak. We ditched our packs at the top and hiked around on the peaks, then dropped down to the lakes below.

[balzaccom]

If you are comfortable with a little off-trail navigation, look at a couple of the trailheads that seldom get attention:

Nelson Lake and Budd Lake out of Tuolumne Meadows start with an existing trail, then take you cross-country to a nice lake. From there you can take two days to get back along more established trails. Not for the beginning hiker, but always a solution for those who have some navigational skills. And far fewer people.

We've got a trip report on one such hike on our website.

[Dave_Ayers]

There are some other suggestions in this thread: viewtopic/f=7&t=2993

The Koip/Alger area is terrific, but be aware that the 1st night's camp spots just over Parker Pass are at nearly 11,000 feet if you are altitude sensitive. If you do that hike, consider dropping your pack at Koip Pass and climbing the peak (and possibly Kuna Peak as well) for fabulous views.