Walk-In Camping along 178 or 120

[htrout]

Howdy. We're headed east from the Central Coast to June Lake area and want to stop mid-way. With Tioga Pass now open we aren't sure if we should go across Tioga or down through Bako and across on 178. It is almost the same drive time for us either way and we've gone across both ways numerous times, we've just never stopped for an overnight along the way. Not particularly interested in Yosemite Valley or Lake Isabella areas (unless there are good trail heads at Isabella?).

We'd like to find a spot that has a camp spot <3 miles off the trail head where we can stop along either way. Husband and I have done a lot of backpacking but we don't want to bring snow/ice gear on this trek. Are there any spots along the way on either route that don't require a permit and are legal?

When? We'd like to leave the Central Coast on Wed or Thur July 5 or 6. Need to be in June Lake July 7 (doing the June Lake Tri and then headed to Lassen area for lower-elevation backpacking). Any Lassen-area tips would be awesome too.... skeeter-free in July tips?

BTW - we are transporting in a Prius so no hard-core dirt roads. I've already high-centered that thing too many times.

Much appreciated.

[SSSdave]

Reads like before your June Lake trip, you want to stop some place for a day in order to spend time on an activity like hiking? Seems like you want to camp some place near a worthwhile activity? I'll say forget that and instead hike somewhere along SR120 in Yosemite and then camp outside the park. If you plan to have the activity on your drive day and then camp, first drive into the park, hike or whatever, and then continue east across Tioga Pass and down to US395 where you can use a list of Inyo National Forest public campgrounds or any of its the vast places to disperse camp.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/inyo/r ... ing-cabins

To understand what you need to do web search:
"national forest dispersed camping"

If on the other hand, on your drive day, first want to camp late in the afternoon and then the next morning have some activity, do the below and then the next day drive into Yosemite for an activity and later drive out of the park down to US395.

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Crossing via SR120 goes through Stanislause National Forest. From Central Coast route via SR132 into SR120. You could then stop at the Groveland District Ranger Station along SR120 for more information. You cannot disperse camp within Yosemite and all but the Crane Flat campground within that park along SR120 are still closed.

Along SR120 to disperse camp will recommend taking the paved Evergreen Road just west of the park entrance. See map crosshairs:

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.81501,-119.87487&z=15&t=T

Change the map tab to "Map" to see road names. When you reach these map crosshairs:

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.83457,-119.84818&z=15&t=M

Turn left on the good gravel road shown as Florence creek, then beyond a half mile start looking for a spot to pull over and disperse camp.

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As for a day hiking activity in Yosemite, there are of course tons of trails. However you should stay well below snow areas and on trails that don't cross larger streams. For instance, drive to these map crosshairs:

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.82169,-119.47859&z=14&t=T

Park, and then do the easy hike north to May Lake and back that has a sunny aspect with interesting glacial granite bedrock areas.

David
http://www.davidsenesac.com/2017_Trip_C ... les-0.html