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Post by kurtinmichigan47 on Aug 12, 2016 10:58:49 GMT -8
So I have been trying for a couple of months to figure this out on my own. The permit system for Yosemite almost requires some firsthand knowledge of the area. So I am asking for help.
Here is the tricky part. My buddy and I are taking our 10 year old sons with us so we need the trip to be appropriate for them as well. We are arriving at the park around 6pm on September 21st and will likely stay at a campground unless there is camping just a mile or two from the trailhead. We are looking for true backcountry camping so no facilities are necessary.
Here is what we are looking for:
1. A trailhead that we can get a permit for (obviously Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne are out because everything is booked already) 2. We would prefer a quick hike into a backcountry site just a mile or two in on the first night Sept 21st. 3. our second choice would be to secure a backcountry permit for the second day (Sept 22nd) and stay at a park campground on the 21st. 4. from the trailhead (or first night campsite) we would like the hiking on Sept 22nd to be 5 miles or less to get to another suitable camping area with reasonable elevation change (@1500ft or less). 5. the hiking on the 23rd we would like to be the same; 5 miles or less with reasonable elevation change (@1500ft or less) 6. it would be great if the campsite on the night of the 23rd brought us back within a couple miles of the trailhead that we started at (we would prefer a loop hike).We would like to get our pretty early on the 24th because we will have to head back to LA that night for flights out in the morning.
I realize this is pretty specific but I appreciate you taking the time to read it. I am open to any and all suggestions. |
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Aug 12, 2016 18:01:00 GMT -8
"Just a mile or two" narrows things down a LOT. Most trailheads in yosemite, you must be 2 miles out from the trailhead to legally camp and quite a number of trailheads that jumps to 4 miles. To go up from Happy Isles it will be 6 miles all uphill before you can camp.
Since you are looking for easy, I will suggest either May Lake (staying at the backpacker camp at the lake, this is about two miles) or Raisin Lake (same trail but a little farther, no backpacker campground, more wilderness-y feeling).
For a two night trip similar to what you are describing, depart from Mono Meadow (Glacier Point Road) trailhead and work your way over to Hart Lake and back. You might be able to do a semi-loop to North Dome and back from Porcupine Flat or Yosemite Creek trailhead that somewhat meets your needs.
Nothing matches your preferences exactly, sorry.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Aug 12, 2016 18:13:50 GMT -8
Are you driving or flying? I know Yosemite is the big draw, but there is some wonderful country West of Bishop, Ca. Ranger station In Bishop would be the issuing authority. Not sure what trails have permits still available. You could start at North Lake and camp at Lower Lamarck, then hike that area either further up to Upper Lamarck, or just exploring the granite. Not what you asked for, but it is a pretty area. I suspect many trailheads in Yosemite are already booked for Sept.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Aug 12, 2016 18:51:34 GMT -8
The hot ticket might be Saddlebag Lakes loop, if the ferry is still running. Call the resort and find out. The boat across Saddlebag gets you within an easy hike of a lot of little lakes to enjoy.
I hope you are prepared for cold - the high country starts to get there, in late September.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 12, 2016 21:29:34 GMT -8
There are over 400 next day permit slots www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm available all over the park including out of the Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. I'd suggest checking the Tioga Rd. campgrounds for your start. Not reservable and a lot quieter than the big Valkry ones. www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/nrcamping.htm The flattest hike I can think of is Lyell Canyon, camping is permitted once you're four miles from the trailhead and an out and back with a day of exploring could be fun. Another trailhead would be Mono Meadows head down to the Illilouette and then upstream as far as you'd like, then return. |
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Post by kurtinmichigan47 on Aug 13, 2016 7:54:41 GMT -8
Thanks! I say "a mile or two" because we are coming in late on that day and don't want to be hiking new trails at night with the boys. I am aware of the trailhead camping restrictions. It's funny that in a couple of months of looking the one trailhead that I found that I thought was pretty close to a fit was May Lake. I will check out the Mono Meadow recommendation! |
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Post by kurtinmichigan47 on Aug 13, 2016 8:02:02 GMT -8
Are you driving or flying? I know Yosemite is the big draw, but there is some wonderful country West of Bishop, Ca. Ranger station In Bishop would be the issuing authority. Not sure what trails have permits still available. You could start at North Lake and camp at Lower Lamarck, then hike that area either further up to Upper Lamarck, or just exploring the granite. Not what you asked for, but it is a pretty area. I suspect many trailheads in Yosemite are already booked for Sept. thanks for the response. I was in that area last year and it is beautiful, I will check it out. We are flying into LAX (where my buddy from San Diego is picking us up and driving up. I have been to SEKI and Inyo and we were thinking Yosemite because neither of us have been there yet and it is the first big trip for our boys. I want to stay away from the crowds in Yosemite valley and understand that 95% of the visitors stay within 3% of the park. I am definitely open to other suggestions. Like I said, we have been trying for months (we booked our flight 170 days out so we could get in the permit lottery but never found the trailhead we wanted and now we are 45 days out! |
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Post by kurtinmichigan47 on Aug 13, 2016 8:07:17 GMT -8
The hot ticket might be Saddlebag Lakes loop, if the ferry is still running. Call the resort and find out. The boat across Saddlebag gets you within an easy hike of a lot of little lakes to enjoy. I hope you are prepared for cold - the high country starts to get there, in late September.[/quote Thank you for the response! I will check our Saddlebag Lakes Loop! We are from Michigan so we are prepared for the cold! |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 13, 2016 12:50:32 GMT -8
For a small semi- loop there's Murphy Creek to May Lake, the th return can be done by the TM shuttle (this year there's a fee).
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Post by johntpenca on Aug 13, 2016 15:37:29 GMT -8
The flattest hike I can think of is Lyell Canyon, camping is permitted once you're four miles from the trailhead and an out and back with a day of exploring could be fun Good suggestion. Flat as a pancake for 10 miles and easy to bail from if needed. edit: just make sure you follow proper food storage; the bears in Lyell canyon are fairly well habituated. meaning they will eat your food if they can, not you. if you walk away from camp for 5 minutes with food out, it will be gone. if they get your food, don't try to get it back; they can be aggressive then. then they will hang around hoping for more. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 13, 2016 19:46:47 GMT -8
Lyell Canyon seems pretty popular (thus the habituated bears) but I don't know how crowded in late September. But I'd also second the Saddlebag Lake idea, or anything else that starts from the national forest rather than the Park.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Aug 13, 2016 20:34:07 GMT -8
Anywhere you go, take a bear can. Saddlebag has no tall trees to hang in.
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Post by johntpenca on Aug 15, 2016 0:20:15 GMT -8
Hiking out of Saddlebag is definitely cool. Been a while since I've been there; what are the regs on backcountry camping these daze?
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Post by kurtinmichigan47 on Aug 15, 2016 8:07:53 GMT -8
Tried to get Lyell Canyon permits but it looks like they are booked. Working to see if Saddlebag is still an option. Thanks to everyone for all the help!
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 15, 2016 12:11:42 GMT -8
Tried to get Lyell Canyon permits but it looks like they are booked. Working to see if Saddlebag is still an option. Thanks to everyone for all the help! Take note only a fraction of the total trailhead quota is reservable. They hold back 60% of the total for "walk ups". Of course that's not an issue for trailheads without quotas such as Saddlebag. Out to Shamrock Lake and around is a nice loop. Pretty when the lupine and columbine are in bloom. |
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