Traveling to Yosemite

AsSiMiLaTeD

We'll be spending about 5 days in Yosemite (May 17 - 22), I wanted to see if anyone here has recommendations on what all to do.

I won't be climbing El Capitan, so we can go ahead and rule that out now. I will be doing the hike up to Half Dome, assuming it's open while I'm there.

I'm looking for recommendations on trails mostly. I'm not looking to backpack, so mostly easier day trips. If there's a harder trail that's a 'must-see' I'll consider it.

In addition to advice on specific trails, I'm also looking for general advice on different areas of the park to visit.

I've got a few books in my cart on Amazon, any here that you'd recommend or not recommend, or any to add to the list? I'm only going to have 5 days, but want to get as much out of this trip as I can.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0899974252/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0762730552/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0762730544/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0967890470/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

It looks like my timing may be a little risky, as there are some parts of the park still closed and I'm travelling right in that window where they may or may not be open.

Appreciate any advice you guys have. By the way I'm aware of the NPS site for Yosemite and have been perusing through that, I'm really looking for any personal experience or tips from you guys.

reeltrouble1

I would look for bear droppings and follow them............

The whole place is awesome.

RT1

del44

That's one beutiful place. Last time I was there was 1995. It was June and I took the Tioga pass in a 1977 El Cameno. (ouch) You probably won't be going that route unless you are going in late May. But, the scenery up there is fantastic. I did have a good time checking out the Sequoia's. The Mariposa grove is cool. One more thing. Find out where the Pacific Crest trail is. Sometimes There's a wooden marker designating the trail. Make sure you get your picture with it. Then, You can say that you were on the "Pacific Crest Trail" too cool.

strider

If Half Dome's open, it's a must, no questions asked. Make sure you plan to get up there early, I didn't mind the cable ladder to the top, but the trail that lead to it was kinda hairy in places. Granite dust on top of tall granite steps can be quite slippery. It was much worse on the way back down as the sun was going down.

Cloud's Rest was by far the best place to see the valley; it's a knife edge ridge with views of Half Dome and a few of the other domes. It's much less crowded but a bit more difficult to get to without hiking a bit. We camped slightly below the summit but made certain to be at the top for sunrise and sunset, which were both surreal. If I can find my topos I'll see if there's a trail that makes sense for a day hike. If you're going to push yourself to get somewhere cool, this would be it in my opinion.

Cathedral Peak and lake were pretty cool, close to Tolumne Meadows, too. IIRC, Tolumne is one of the last places to open, though. The waterfalls should be hitting full stride with the snow melt around when you'll be there, we went in the dry fall so we missed out.

IMO, you're going at a good time because the majority of the people are going to wait 'til everything's open. Then the place goes nuts. We went the second week of October and saw literally six people in an 80 mile loop hike in the backcountry.

ben62670

All I have to say is enjoy your trip. I would love to visit one of those national Parks. I visited Colorado once and it is God's country.

strider

This is the view from the top of Cloud's Rest looking up the valley. Half Dome is on the left, El Cap is past it to the right.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rVJQYAHeCfpQkazbdIM2nQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCOOkx9zPmofoVw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_pz5XWgbVgEE/Sfe9zpZ8iyI/AAAAAAAAAds/ptiLtZPjphI/s144/yosemite card1 152.jpg&quot; /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/strider1975/YosemiteBackpackingTrip?authkey=Gv1sRgCOOkx9zPmofoVw&feat=embedwebsite">Yosemite Backpacking Trip</a></td></tr></table>

I'll add some more pictures to that web album, if you're interested.

ben62670

Ben that is absolutely gorgeous. I have been in the hills of VT and NH a little over in CO, but that photo is breath taking!

strider

That picture only hints at the scale of the valley. I've never been so humbled and awestruck in my life. Looking at the rock formations you can begin to understand the forces and processes that they went through in order to get to the state they're in today.

I've hiked in Vermont and New Hampshire, those mountains are gnarly but in a different way. It's apparent how much older they are then the Sierra Nevadas; they're not as tall but the trails are much steeper and you're constantly going up and down on a rutted trail filled with rocks and roots. You gotta know how to hike in the White Mountains and the Appalachians, otherwise you can get yourself hurt. Out west, you need to worry about navigation and getting eaten by a grizzly.....

AsSiMiLaTeD

More pictures would be awesome if you've got them.

I really want to hike to Cloud's rest, if it's open, but it looks to be an overnight hike. Maybe I can talk the wife into doing it...

strider

I've got a ton of pictures, I'll upload them to that web album tonight. Can you see all the pictures in that album? I was having trouble earlier, but I think I got it figured out.

Cloud's Rest is always open, AFAIK, we just need to find a way for you to get up there in a reasonable amount of time. If you are going to do an overnight, take the bear warnings seriously. It's mandatory to have bear canisters in the back country, you can rent them in the village if needed. I'm sure they're pretty hungry in the spring. The lightning warnings are no joke, either. On Cloud's Rest and Half Dome you are on standing on top of the tallest thing for miles. Come to think of it, if you're considering an overnight into the back country, you're probably going to need a back country permit. They can be tought to get, depending on the time of year. Definitely check it out.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I don't think the overnight thing is going to happen, Cloud's Rest may have to be on the next trip

strider

Yeah, that's understandable. It really adds a lot of prep and equipment into the equation.

Do you guys know where you're going to stay yet?

AsSiMiLaTeD

There's a place called the Miner's Inn that someone recommended. It's not high end, but supposed to be clean and inexpensive.

We're kind of doing this on a budget, so trying to keep hotel costs to a minimum since we won't be spending much time in the room.

IF you have any other recommendations let me know.