5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

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The Other Tom
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by The Other Tom »

As someone else mentioned, don't think of this as a one and done trip. There are a lot of things to see/do in Yosemite. I live on the east coast and try to get back once per year (don't always make it, sigh).
As AT mentions, I've attempted Mt. Dana on my first day at TM as an acclimation day hike. It kicked me hard both times, but I think it was worth it. For sure you'll find out how acclimated you are. Just don't over do it and be prepared to turn around if you show signs of altitude sickness,or if the weather starts to turn on you. You don't want to be on Mt Dana in the T-storm.

OR is correct in that the secenry at Vogelsang pass is first rate. There are two trails from Vogelsang to Merced Lake, I believe (could be wrong) the one over the pass is the Lewis creek trail. That's the one AT mentions.

Also,there are two ways to get to Vogelsang from TM. One is shorter (up Rafferty Creek) and the other is longer (up Ireland Creek). The Ireland Creek trail goes by Evelyn Lake and offers a spectacular view of the Cathedral Range (maybe the Clark range, I get them confused) on the saddle before you get to Evelyn. Having said that, I generally take the Rafferty Creek trail due to acclimation issues and do a day hike out of Vogelsang to the aforementioned saddle.
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canyonexplorer76
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by canyonexplorer76 »

Lot's of great info so far..... I have a lot of things to consider.

Is it unreasonable for me to think that we could camp out on Cloud's Rest and then the next morning break camp and tackle Half Dome provided we are successful in obtaining the necessary permits???
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markskor
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by markskor »

Yes, overnight atop CR and...
(Like I told you about 6 posts previous),
Next morning, pack up and head down to the HD junction, (maybe 3 miles) - drop the packs here -
2 miles up again to HD, summit...spend and hour or so, and down...
Pick up packs again and to LYV easy,
or even the Valley but, IMHO the Mist experience would be better next day.

Do you have a TOPO? It sounds like you are a bit naive - Yosemite.
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canyonexplorer76
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by canyonexplorer76 »

I have a topo but its older and not very detailed. I ordered a new topo map set over the weekend so I'm hoping to have those by the end of this week.

I think I misunderstood your previous post and for whatever reason thought that you had recommended we camp at the HD trail junction. I was looking over the maps today and it seemed like it may be doable to camp on Cloud's Rest and then tackle Half Dome the next day.

In looking at other people's trip reports and photos it looks like the area around the Cathedral Lakes and Sunrise Lake is really nice and quite scenic so I want to spend any extra time we have there.
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maverick
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by maverick »

Hi Canyonexplorer,

Don't let all this info become overwhelming. Keep it simple, Cathedral Lakes area
is well worth the visit, Sunrise Lakes area is okay, but definitely not a need to
visit. The views at sunrise from the top Clouds Rest is gorgeous, and it is a lot less
visited as you will find out if decide to you climb Half Dome (can be a mad house).
If you decide to stay near the top of CR you will need to take water, no water at
or near the top.
There is good camping at the Sunrise/Clouds Rest junction that makes for a good
base to climb HD in the morning. Make sure you store your food well this is a nasty
bear problem area. Skip Little Yosemite Valley (zoo).
Consider hiking up to Glacier Point instead of down the JMT, and take the shuttle
down to the Valley to your car, beautiful views from the Panorama Trail and Glacier
Point. http://www.yosemitepark.com/glacier-point-tour.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Whichever route you decide to do keep it all in perspective (Russ :p) , it's about the
wilderness experience, period.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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rlown
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by rlown »

Yes. Mav is our comic relief. But he's right. keep it simple, take some time in between hikes as it it beautiful. and enjoy it. Hit your high points for this trip. you'll be back.

russ
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AlmostThere
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by AlmostThere »

Technically - and this is a technicality - never heard of anyone getting a ticket. The trail goes over the crest of Clouds Rest, and you aren't supposed to camp in a trail. Also you might find the top *a wee bit precarious* if you are sensitive to exposure. We've had folks have panic attacks just walking on it. As an active sleeper... I'd set up camp somewhere within a mile, and sit up atop for sunset, then navigate carefully back to my camp....

It would probably not be fun if a bear actually came along and knocked the canister off of Clouds Rest....

I only think of these things because of a long history of improbables happening on my outings. :rolleyes:
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by Wandering Daisy »

"It is hard to judge what constitutes a "long day" for any particular person/group. I personally think of the trip up to Volgulsang Lake as a half day backpack....flatlanders" do not do well"

My "long day" comment was based on the OP starting off in the Valley, taking the AM bus to Tuolumne, and then hiking up to Voglesang. For me, that would be a long day. If starting TM, obviously a lot easier.
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wanderin.jack
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5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by wanderin.jack »

In the beginning of the Starr's Guide on page x there is a wonderful summary of a YNP trip I'd like take sometime.

Starr left the valley at noon on a Saturday, up to Merced Lake and up the Merced River over Isberg Pass to the middle fork of the San Joaquin, over to the Devils Postpile, back via Thousand Island Lake, Donahue Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, Lake Tenaya and back in the valley before 6:00 AM on Tuesday -143 miles. What a BAD-ASS.

I've never heard this route referred to other than in the Starr's Guide and I've done most of the route on various trips but would love to do it as one trip.

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markskor
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Re: 5 Night Yosemite Backpacking Trip Help

Post by markskor »

Impressive...143 miles in 4 days - why? You are passing through some of the most scenic trails Sierra; sounds like a lot of time hiking (looking at your boots) and not much time looking out. Having done this route, IMHO, 10+ days might work better.
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