Seeking suggestions for a 2 night trip in Yosemite May 11-13

[teddyinthewoods]

Two fit adults with Level 2 backpacking experience and Class 2 terrain experience are looking for recommendations for a Yosemite itinerary or another destination within five hours drive of San Francisco.

Two nights/three days
We want big, iconic views of granite
Want to avoid as much snow as possible as well as treacherous river crossings
We can hike 8-12 miles/day
Out and back or loop
We've hiked the Sierra plenty before, just not so early in the season.

Thanks in advance,

[AlmostThere]

Big iconic views of granite is pretty much going to be either the south rim, or the north rim. No bets placed on whether creek crossings are safe. The south rim has less dangerous crossings, with a bridge over Bridalveil.

Or, go to Hetch Hetchy with the crowds, but Wapama Falls is very deadly so if it is closed do not risk it. People have been killed in the recent past being washed off the bridges by sudden surges of water.

[balzaccom]

May??? North Rim is your best option, but it's still a bit early for that. If Tioga Road opens, you could go down to North Dome from Porcupine Creek...but both rim trails have limited views for much of their miles. Every once in a while you get out to the edge, and the views are great. But there are no long treks with continuous great views.

[AlmostThere]

The trail with continuous ongoing views would be the High Sierra Trail, or the Alta trail. The HST is lower, and will be snow free. Patchy snow on the Alta trail...

But, not in Yosemite. So not a five hour drive - Sequoia NP is farther south than you probably want.

[teddyinthewoods]

Thanks for the advice. Looks like Tioga is still closed but Glacier Point Road is open.
Any recommendations for Emigrant Wilderness or Desolation Wilderness?

[AlmostThere]

Emigrant has plenty of granite, for sure. Permits are easy to get. Sonora Pass is open, but I would except some of the forest service roads to still be gated. Maybe Crabtree trailhead? You can also get a permit from Groveland FS office and go from Cherry Lake trailheads if the road is open to the lake.

Desolation - I've been once, and while it's very beautiful it's not what I would call iconic grandeur - but I'm spoiled, by being so close to SEKI and Yosemite. It's also very busy in season. Permits are reserveable online.

[balzaccom]

Crabtree won't be open yet, it's still snowy---and the creeks in Emigrant usually run really high in May. The road into Union Reservoir in Desolation is open, and you might get a trip from there through Loon Lake and into the backcountry there

[QITNL]

I hiked out to Starr King when the road opened. There's not much snow under 9000 feet.
http://www.tiogaroad.com/yosemite042818/

[teddyinthewoods]

QITNL - outstanding photos of your Starr King trip! What was your exact itinerary?

[brianA]

My suggestion is Rancheria Falls out of Hetch Hetchy. Granite views, possible light stream crossings, no snow, and spectacular waterfalls. The Wapama Falls bridges should be okay with the lighter snow pack this year. The hike out to Wapama can get crowded, but less so beyond there to Rancheria. Rancheria has a nice camping area, and you could do a couple of day hikes up to Leconte Point, or Vernon Lake (longer). But it's also just fun to hike up and down the stream in the Rancheria area, as there are many cool pools, and falls along the way. Permits are first come first serve, so get there before they open. Also, on the way in, a side trip to Smith Peak brings in great views of Conness, and the Sawtooths, as well as the back side of Mt. Hoffman. Call the ranger at 209-379-1922, and they'll answer all your specific questions. It's a good area for spotting bears, so make sure to ask about bear storage.