Tuolumne meadows to Yosemite valley

[lhorn]

Hello all,

My fiance and I will be in and about Yosemite for our honeymoon next week and are trying to find a good backcountry trip. I found some information on a 3-4 day hike from tuolumne meadows to yosemite valley (at http://www.everytrail.com/guide/tuolumn ... ite-valley ) and so far this is the one we are most interested in. I wanted to find out what others thought of this trip first tho. My biggest question is about obtaining the first come first serve permits. I'm willing to be in line before sunrise to get them, but what are my odds of getting what I want? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[JFK1965]

We did a very similar hike just a few weeks back. We left out of Cathedral Lakes trailhead (just west of Toulumne Meadows) and went to Sunrise Lakes HSC wilderness camp the first night. Day 2 was past Sunrise Lakes (great lunchtime swim) to just short of Cloud's Rest, topping off water a few miles short of campsite. Day 3 was across Cloud's Rest and down to Little Yosemite Valley. Day 4 was up before sunrise to hit Half Dome early then back to LYV. Day 5 was easy hike out to the Valley, where we had staged a car the day before we hit the trail and then took the bus back. We were short 1 site on our Wilderness Permit, so one of us camped out for a permit at the permit station in Tuolumne on the day before we hit the trail. We didn't want to take any chances and were in line by 5:30 am - we were the first ones, and had no problem getting our permit plus a Half Dome permit with it. This was 4th of July week, which I expect was one of the busier ones of the summer. All in all very doable! Total hiking mileage was about 35 miles. Our intinerary was 5 days / 4 nights, but if you can get a permit for the Sunrise Lakes trailhead instead (fewer spots available, but may not be an issue for just the 2 of you), you can you can very reasonably get to our night 2 spot on your first night. Either way a great trip! Feel free to PM with any questions.

[Grzldvt]

How many days do you have and what kind of shape are you in? For me, and I suspect many other experienced people on this Forum, pretty much steer clear of the Valley because there is so much more to see in the backcountry. It is a good trip, but based on the answers I suspect we can give you something much more memorable. and not have the ugly drop to the Valley floor in a sea of humanity

[lhorn]

Thank you both for the replies. That is very helpful. We are both in good shape, we compete in crossfit events, but since we are from Texas it has been several years since either of us has done any hiking that has more than a few hundred feet of elevation change. We have been looking at doing a 4 day 3 night trip so far. I've heard and read about the crowds in Yosemite but have never experienced myself. I would love to hear any and all recommendations.

[Grzldvt]

A couple of hikes to do, one is Murphy Creek to Polly Dome Lakes, to May lake, do Mt Hoffman, and then out and back to the car. I actually like doing it backwards, but finding the trailhead can be a bit tricky, plus you at a bot lower altitude at Polly Dome Lakes. So it gives you a slight chance to get acclimated. The actual lakes are a bit off trail, but easy to locate, just watch for a use trail about 2miles in.
The next day you can head to Raisin lake, or make the hoof up to May Lake. This reserves a day to hike to the top of Mt Hoffman and then head back out. At May Lake, you will go left at the parking lot and follow the trail, across Tioga Road, then you parallel Tioga road back to your car.

Another one to look at is Ten Lakes, it is a tough initial climb, but if you really take your time, it will be fine, and you will be rewarded with a spectacular view at the top of the pass, then follow the trail to a lake of your choice and set up. The next day you can day hike the area, and the following head out.

Young Lakes is another option, but the trailhead is packed everyday next week, so it will be pretty crowded and camping will be at a premium, so I would recommend against that one.

One trailhead that is wide open is the Mono/Parker Pass, but it is at some serious altitude. You sounds like you are in good shape so it may not be too bad. This is a hike that is always going uphill until you get to the junction that cuts across the meadow and begin to get into some gorgeous scenery. Camping in the area can get tough, but doable. Find a place, the next day follow the trail to the top of Koip Peak, spend the day hoofing around the area, and the following day head out.
You just have to really take your time because you are at 11,000+ feet.

[AlmostThere]

You can't camp inside the park on Mono/Parker, which makes it tough - you will hike past beautiful lakes and end up way past them before you can pitch a tent. It's a neat area, tho, with an old mine, old cabins, and Indian artifacts that should be left where you find them.

[balzaccom]

Another option would be to enter via Walker Lake to Lower Sardine Lake the first day----camp there ( there is a good site on the western shore in the trees) and then hike up over Mono Pass and into the Park on day two. Lovely hiking....

Those permits come from the Inyo NF station at Mono Lake