5-6 day loop in September

[dreamer1]

Thanks again for your valuable input -- I'm pushing 50 so my knees (among other things) are not what they used to be when I could sometimes climb with reckless abandon -- and it would not be the first time hiking realities interfere with my dreamy plans... I saw hiking from TM to Sunrise as a common hike with a good pack (although I may have wrongly assumed they typically start up the Cathedral trailhead…) and was maybe also trying to fit in too much inside our 1-week window. But it is true that we will not be used to the elevation yet and ultimately, we prefer to ease into this and just have a nice time enjoying the sites. Your suggestion makes a lot of sense given what we are looking for… and then we do have other loop to Townsley/Ireland/Lyell Canyon.

Not sure I follow where the fisherman's trail just east of Tenaya actually is and how it hooks up with Cathedral but am awaiting a more detailed map then what I have and that may help me better visualize where it heads.

Given that I certainly do not want to leave our extra food (to be uses on our 2nd loop) in the car… can we store it in a bear box at the Tuolomne campground for a few days while we are away on the first mini-loop? Other options?

[rlown]

Given that I certainly do not want to leave our extra food (to be uses on our 2nd loop) in the car… can we store it in a bear box at the Tuolomne campground for a few days while we are away on the first mini-loop? Other options?

Not to put too much of a negative spin on this, but since the bear boxes are pretty much open to the public, not allowed to apply a lock and communal, anything you put in one (esp in TM or at major trailheads) might just walk away in your absence. We do put all our extra stuff in a couple different bear boxes at trailheads on our trips, so if badness happens, we might lose at most, half our stuff.

We had food and interestingly enough, a pair of sneakers mysteriously disappear over a couple different trips from various lockers. Definitely do not leave any smelly items in your car; and nothing in plain sight.

[maverick]

You could rent a canister at the TM wilderness office, and stash it, and tag the
location in your gps, if you carry one.

[markskor]

Dreamer,
You can do Clouds Rest as a lollypop...same trail in and out - just starting at Tenaya trailhead as planned. Overnights at Lower Sunrise and CR area...back to your car in Tuolumne third night, or perhaps all the way back down to the Valley after CR instead...(all downhill - poles advised though - knees!) and using the YARTS 5:00 evening bus to get you back to Tuolumne.
Drop me a PM if you need any more help.
Mark