Yosemite 3 - 4 day backpacking trip suggestions?

[asrai38]

My husband and I are looking into a 3-4 day backpacking trip in July or August. I read that you can make reservations months in advance and you need to know what trail head to start and finish at. Do you think we will even be able to get a permit being that it is already May? I haven't had much luck finding any information on the best multi day trips? Does anyone have any suggestions?

[dan]

You can make reservations for several weeks ahead or just a few days head--it's up to you. You have better luck with permits if you don't start out on a Saturday or Sunday. Thursday is better, for example. Little Yosemite Valley is also very popular and often full.

Lots of suggestions are in this forum. Tuolumne Meadows is a great jumping off point--you're already in the high country.

Details on Wilderness permis and tips are at the Park Service webpage
http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/wilderness/

[Davis2001r6]

I'm also looking for a similar trip to take in Mid August. I would like to find a 3-5 day backpack, that would also lead us to visit Half Dome one day. Preferably something a bit physically demanding in the range of 10-14 miles a day.

I'm coming from Phoenix and will be meeting friends coming from Sacramento, so preferably something with an resonable shuttle or if a loop is possible even better.

I've plenty of backpacking and hiking in AZ and taken two trips to Mt. Whitney, the day hike march and a 4 day trip last year Horseshoe Meadow to Whitney.

Hope I didn't steal your thread but I think we somewhat looking for a similar trip.

Thanks,

TIM

[dan]

I discussed a trip I did in 3 days from Tenaya Lake over Clouds Rest, Half Dome dayhike and down to the Valley floor in 3 days. The last day was strenuous (Half Dome and hike out the same day), but the other two were easy. You can start from Cathedral Lakes trailhead to make it more difficult but see more scenery (I like the Cathedral/Sunrise Lakes area)
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/viewtopic/t=278

Take the YARTs morning shuttle (see www.yarts.org) from the Yosemite Valley Hotels and stop at any trailhead on the Tioga Road.

Another possibility is to take the YARTS shuttle to Tuolumne Meadows and hike Raffety Creek to Vogelsang the first day. Next day head to Sunrise Lakes via Merced Lake, then up and over Clouds Rest the 3rd day. Final day hike Half Dome and hike out. This is strenuous and you see a lot of great scenery.

[Davis2001r6]

OK, got most of the 7.5 minute maps downloaded for that. Having a fun time trying to find all the areas mentioned not knowing the area. Do you have any idea of the mileages for each day with the trip you describe?

Thanks,

TIM

[dan]

I don't know the mileages off the top of my head. You can eyeball it from the map and add 30% or so to allow for twists and turns.

The Park Service Wilderness website has trail distances:
http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/wilderness/

For a map of the entire park (for trip planning, not for navigation), see:
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/maps/yosemite_maps.html

There's a JPEG and PDF map of the entire park with the places I describe.