tsarles wrote:timberdog26 wrote:Awesome advice, thanks everyone. The current plan is try to get permits for the day before, and include an additional day of hiking. We are traveling from across the country so our schedule is tight due to work and flight schedules. Thanks again for the advice!
Did this trip ever happen? I'm planning a similar trip first weekend of October, instead going out the valley. If you could share your experiences, where you camped and how you dealt with water sources I'd greatly appreciate it!
It did - with some modifications! We were planning on beginning a day early and TRYING to get permits the day of. This would have been starting at the trailhead on Friday. HOWEVER we found out on our drive from San Diego that Tioga Rd was closed Thursday night, and we were unable to enter the park until Friday afternoon. Camped in a snowy Tuolumne Meadows campground, woke up on a cold Saturday AM and left the Sunrise Lakes trailhead at 9AM. Summited Clouds Rest by 2-3PM, hiked the other side and found a camp site about 1/2 mile before the junction to Half Dome by 5:30pm. Sunday we were on the trail by 6AM, stashed our packs and bear cannister, and summited Half Dome before 10am. Hiked down to Yosemite Valley (SO MANY PEOPLE) and grabbed the shuttle back to Sunrise Lakes. Unfortunately, this shuttle is no longer running. We probably could have done a few extra miles Sunday back to our original TH via John Muir, camped, and finished on Monday AM but due to the snow and the crazy snowy start, we decided to skip night 2. It was a perfect trip. I think the 3rd day would have been a bit challenging but definitely do-able.
I appreciate the input from everyone! This trip was incredible. Yosemite backcountry is so beautiful.