Re: How to do Yosemite in May
Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2019 9:40 pm
I forgot to answer the question on where to camp if starting at Tunnel View. I have camped on Stanford Point using a small stream to the east for water. The regulations say 4 "trail miles" from Yosemite Valley to the Rim before you can legally camp. A bit ambiguous for Stanford Point. It is 3.7 miles from Tunnel View but well over 4 miles from Bridalveil Falls parking, which IS in the Valley. Crocker or Dewey also work IF you can find a nearby water source, which will depend on snow melt trickles. Bridalveil Creek is can be a bit soggy early season and has no view but the creek is pretty. I have previously camped on Taft Point but that was before Glacier Point Road opened. Once the road opens it is not legal.
From Glacier Point (when road is open), Illouette Creek bridge is not a legal campsite although you will see old campsites. If the 4 mile rule applies, then about at the trail junction (trail to Star King) would be legal. I usually go up the Star King trail to the saddle (about a quarter mile). There is a creek in the gully coming from that saddle.
The "4 trail mile" rule would require you to camp about 0.4 miles past the top of Yosemite Falls. From the Snow Creek side, the buttress at the top of the switchbacks are legal for distance, but currently is closed due to bear problems. I think a bit past the upstream bridge is legal.
From Happy Isles, LYV camp is the only legal camping WITH a LYV permit. For a pass-through permit, no camping until Bunnell Falls. There is a sign there that says when camping is legal.
Distance wise, just above the junction of the JMT and Clouds Rest trail is legal. I have camped there before, along with others. Not sure if rules have changed with this.
From Glacier Point (when road is open), Illouette Creek bridge is not a legal campsite although you will see old campsites. If the 4 mile rule applies, then about at the trail junction (trail to Star King) would be legal. I usually go up the Star King trail to the saddle (about a quarter mile). There is a creek in the gully coming from that saddle.
The "4 trail mile" rule would require you to camp about 0.4 miles past the top of Yosemite Falls. From the Snow Creek side, the buttress at the top of the switchbacks are legal for distance, but currently is closed due to bear problems. I think a bit past the upstream bridge is legal.
From Happy Isles, LYV camp is the only legal camping WITH a LYV permit. For a pass-through permit, no camping until Bunnell Falls. There is a sign there that says when camping is legal.
Distance wise, just above the junction of the JMT and Clouds Rest trail is legal. I have camped there before, along with others. Not sure if rules have changed with this.