Sept Cathedral Lakes permit secured - advice please
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:26 pm
First, thank you Mike for directing me to this site. I have found it very helpful in planning my trip to Yosemite. My husband and I are in our mid 30's, in good shape, and seasoned backpackers. We're comfortable in just about anything you don't need cramp-ons or ropes for. Solitude and cross country trips are great. With the major altitude change we'll be experiencing, 10 mile days are probably tops. I'm steeling myself for that lack of solitude (and O2 ) while in Yosemite enjoying the views. I guess sometimes you just can't have it all!
I have a few questions regarding planning my trip.
To begin, we plan to spend a couple days leisurely hiking around North Dome, etc. trying to get acclimated. I have a permit for starting at Porcupine Flat CG. I have heard that water is typically available in Lehamite Cr, are there any good camp sites near water mid Sept?
I then have a four day permit secured for Cathedral Lakes TH (last two on opening day, wow those things go fast - I tried a couple other TH's that were already gone, and I don't want to drive that far and not have a firm plan). I was thinking staying a night near Sunrise Lakes, then on to Clouds Rest for another night near Sunrise Creek and the John Muir, then meandering our way out towards the CLTH. Are there any must see's that we should make within that section? Also, does Sunrise Creek tend to have water mid Sept, or should we plan on camping elsewhere? (Obviously a lot depends on the weather between now and then, but I'm trying to get an idea.)
Our last day we'll probably take in Gaylor lakes, but I'm open to suggestions for any other must see's for an easy day hike.
In between trips, my husband wants a hot shower and a bed, so I'm thinking about staying in Lee Vining. Any thoughts/suggestions there?
We're planning to come back in Feb/Mar next year for some xc-skiing around Glacier Point/Ostrander Lake, so we plan on taking in the valley at that time. (Open to suggestions here, too).
Thank you very much for your assistance. I'm super excited about this trip, and it was almost excruciating to have to narrow it down to what to see in 7 days. My parents were rangers there from a year prior to my existence to my toddler years, so I've heard stories my whole life, but haven't seen the park since I was a kid. I'm sure a lot has changed the the last 30+ years!
Thanks again.
I have a few questions regarding planning my trip.
To begin, we plan to spend a couple days leisurely hiking around North Dome, etc. trying to get acclimated. I have a permit for starting at Porcupine Flat CG. I have heard that water is typically available in Lehamite Cr, are there any good camp sites near water mid Sept?
I then have a four day permit secured for Cathedral Lakes TH (last two on opening day, wow those things go fast - I tried a couple other TH's that were already gone, and I don't want to drive that far and not have a firm plan). I was thinking staying a night near Sunrise Lakes, then on to Clouds Rest for another night near Sunrise Creek and the John Muir, then meandering our way out towards the CLTH. Are there any must see's that we should make within that section? Also, does Sunrise Creek tend to have water mid Sept, or should we plan on camping elsewhere? (Obviously a lot depends on the weather between now and then, but I'm trying to get an idea.)
Our last day we'll probably take in Gaylor lakes, but I'm open to suggestions for any other must see's for an easy day hike.
In between trips, my husband wants a hot shower and a bed, so I'm thinking about staying in Lee Vining. Any thoughts/suggestions there?
We're planning to come back in Feb/Mar next year for some xc-skiing around Glacier Point/Ostrander Lake, so we plan on taking in the valley at that time. (Open to suggestions here, too).
Thank you very much for your assistance. I'm super excited about this trip, and it was almost excruciating to have to narrow it down to what to see in 7 days. My parents were rangers there from a year prior to my existence to my toddler years, so I've heard stories my whole life, but haven't seen the park since I was a kid. I'm sure a lot has changed the the last 30+ years!
Thanks again.