permit/trailhead question

[maverick]

Would reccomend you park in YV and take the shuttle to Sunrise, stay at one of the Sunrise Lakes for the first night. Get an early start the next day, go do Clouds Rest, and stay at the Sunrise/Clouds Rest junction for the night, good camping. Climb HD the next morning (permit), spend the night at the junction again (or at LYL, but that place can be a zoo, and there are a lot of evening bears raids) and then head down to YV the next morning. You can spend one night at the backpackers campground in YV at the conclusion of your trip, thereby avoiding the need to spend money on lodging.

Yes, there is longterm parking available.

Make sure you get water at the spring coming down Sunrise Mountain, before the trail junction at 8900 ft, or at one of the two tarns north of the trail at 8700, before heading up to Clouds Rest.
Be prepared for mosquitoes!
Check for TR's, here on HST and the Yosemite Forum, so you know what conditions are like before your trip.

PS If you are driving in via Hwy 120 from the west, you can pick up you wilderness permit at the Big Oak Flat wilderness office, on the right, right after you pass through the entrance station.

[markskor]

Better trip -
Cathedral TH - camp Upper Cathedral, back end. (1)
Next day hike to last (lowest) Sunrise Lake, camp behind big rock , south end. (2)
Do Clouds Rest and, on the way down, bag HD too. Camp LYV. (3)
Down the mist...4 days - 3 nights

BTW, it's always the best plan to hike directly back to your car. Leave car Curry Orchard and, before trip, take bus YARTS or Hiker bus to Cathedral TH.

If you start Sunrise TH...then 3 days and 2 nights

[rlown]

Elevation. I lived the first half of my life in the Smokey Mountains and have hike extensively around there including around Mount Le Conte and have never had a problem. I have lived the last almost ten years near New Orleans and have been hiking and camping mainly around MS and LA so I am not sure how that has changed.

I think you're in great hands on the potential route. My only concern is that Mount Le Conte is only 6,594′, and you're now hiking almost at sea level. Your planned trip starts at 8,000' and you've never been to the Sierra before. If it were me (also a flat-lander for the most part) I would plan a day to acclimate before you hike your route. You might be fine or you might not. Either way, that first day is going to kick your butt, or more likely your lungs and heart.

It is a good route though.

[boognish]

I faxed my request in today. First choice was Cathedral TH and second was Sunrise TH. Hopefully I will be hiking in 6 months. Thanks for the help. I will probably be back with some more questions as I work out the details of my trip.

[boognish]

So I got my permits! That was faster than I expected.