Backpacking Trip report

[_Gabe_]

Hello All,

I wanted to report on a trip I just did last week. A group of 8 did a 4 day backpacking trip starting at TM and ending in Yosemite Valley.
Day 1 - Cathedral Lakes trailhead near TM to Sunrise High Sierra Camp
Day 2 - Sunrise HSC to Clouds Rest
Day 3 - Clouds Rest to Little Yosemite Valley (with a trip to Half Dome)
Day 4 - Little Yosemite Valley to valley floor.

Roughly about 30 miles.

This particular trail had no snow this time of year but there was plenty of creeks throughout the trip (except Clouds Rest)

it was a bit smoky and hazy at times...not sure if it had to do with some wildfires or the smoke from campfires in the valley floor.

Mosquitos...be prepared! They are mean and it seemed that repellant was not enough to stop them from biting...we kinda just got use to it.

Weather was perfect...although it can change suddenly...I think nights will be pleasant for the next few months.

This was a first time trip for everyone in our group...it was a bit tough but very fun.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to provide as much info as I gathered.

Thanks to all that provided tips/insight in preparation for my trip.

Thanks,
Gabe

[guyd]

Hi,

where did you camp on day 2?

I'm planning roughly the same trip with my wife and three teenagers (15-16-117)

How old were the members of your group?

[_Gabe_]

Hello there...we hiked past Clouds Rest about a quarter mile or so to a open bluff type area. You won't miss it...it has an awesome view of Half Dome from there. The only drawback is that it can get windy there at times since its exposed.

But if you don't want to go that far a little past Clouds Rest or even before it, you will find flat areas near the trail to the left of the trail if you are heading west.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

[guyd]

Hi, six more questions:

Is High Sierra Camp accessible to all or only to members?

Once you left that camp, did you go north-west toward the Sunrise lakes or south on the John Muir Trail you were on the day before?

Did any in your group feel some altitude sickness, during the day or the night?

Do you remember how cool (cold) were the nights?

Where did you leave your backpacks/gear while you went to Half Dome?

What were the age and hiking experience of the members of your group?
Thanks

[dan]

I'll answer some questions, but the original poster can chime in too . . .

Is High Sierra Camp accessible to all or only to members?

No. High Sierra Camps are operated by the park concessionaire, DCS Yosemite. Anyone with a reservation may use them. They are popular though and there is a lottery to get a reservation.
http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodati ... vices.aspx

But there are free campgrounds next to all the High Sierra Camps, including Sunrise.

Once you left that camp, did you go north-west toward the Sunrise lakes or south on the John Muir Trail you were on the day before?

Both are possible. Use the JMT if you don't want to to up and over Cloud's Rest. Use the CRT to see the views from Clouds Rest (but it requires extra up hill to the peak).

Did any in your group feel some altitude sickness, during the day or the night?

I don't get altitude sickness until around 10-11 thousand feet. YMMV. It's good to sleep at elevation a night or two before the trip if you can.

Do you remember how cool (cold) were the nights?

In summer it could be around freezing. If there's a heat wave in the Valley, it's usually in the 40s.

Where did you leave your backpacks/gear while you went to Half Dome?

I stash it at the junction a little off trail. Nobody would bother it. All food must be in a bear canister or with you.

[JFK1965]

I too am very interested in details of this trip. We're planning just about the exact same trip mid-July this coming summer with the exception that on day 3 we're going all the way to LYV, then up and down Half Dome day 4 with only day packs, and then out to Happy Isles on day 5.

We were scouting locations close to Cloud's Rest for an overnighter. One apparent possibility from Google Earth was what looks like a meadow or clearing located at 37° 46.516'N and 119° 28.909'W, maybe about 1 km NE of the summit. We'd welcome any better specific spots that people have found. I like the idea of a view, which may be better south of the summit, but it was unclear if there were any suitable flat-ish spots there to pitch camp.

Thanks for all the info!

[_Gabe_]

Here's my two cents...

We went a little before the 4th of July so Sunrise HSC was still not open for business. It was a ghost town really...we found an open area and camped there. So in looking back at my original post I realize this maybe misleading. We did stay there but it was empty with no services other that bathrooms. To us this was more then enough...we liked the place.

We then took the Sunrise Lakes route and went to Clouds Rest...but continued for a bit more before finally finding deciding on a campsite.

The elevation at Clouds Rest definitely got to some in our group...we just took our time. On our way up we got a fairly heavy storm come through (which I welcomed, cause I needed the break!).

It does get cold but with the right gear and clothing you should be able to handle it. My guess is that it ranged from upper 30s to low 40s at night and windy at times. I was so tired I don't think I felt the cold!

Our 3rd night we camped at Little Yosemite Valley. The only drawback with this is that we passed the Half Dome junction by about 1.5 miles and had to make this distance back up to climb Half Dome. We did this because we wanted to setup camp early enough in the day and not worry about running out of daylight or rushing back from the HD climb. I would have no issue leaving my pack at the junction if my plans were different. Just pack your food well so the squirrels do go to town on it!

[guyd]

Was the portion between Cathedral traihead and Sunrise lakes worth it? (views versus moquitoes)

[_Gabe_]

Its not a long stretch...I would say under 2 miles to the first lake. The reason we went that way was because it was the shortest route to Clouds Rest (around 7 miles) and the mileage would fit out schedule. Also we stopped at Sunrise Lk to do some fishing and take a dip.

Its beautiful any route you take.

Mosquitos...for me its been hit or miss...you would think that with more water you would get more mosquitos but that isn't always the case. Wear proper clothing, face nets, and bring some strong repellant (Deet) just in case.

[guyd]

what type of toilet at Sunrise HSC? Pit of flush...?

[dan]

what type of toilet at Sunrise HSC? Pit of flush...?

IIRC, neither. It's a Clivus Multrum composting toilet. Invented in Sweden, it uses solar energy to run a fan draw out any fumes. It also keeps the bacteria happy, along with a sprinkle of saw dust. It doesn't stink like pit or vault toilets, and doesn't require a septic system.

Here's some good information about High Sierra Camps from an independent source:
http://www.yosemitefun.com/high_sierra_camps.htm

[guyd]

Can we use them if we are passerby?

What type is in LYV campground?

[dan]

Can we use them if we are passerby?
What type is in LYV campground?

They generally don't like free loaders hanging around the High Sierra Camps, but if you're unobtrusive, you can sneak in for a poop or two, I suppose.

I don't remember if there's one at LYV or not--the place is too much of a zoo for me.

[Hitech]

Yes, LYV has the composting toilets.