Yosemite weeklong trail? advice.

I would take a look at hiking from the top of the high sierra camps down to the valley. If you just went Volgelsang (Fletcher Lake) – > Merced Lake -> Yosemite Valley, you could do that in two nights, three days, much less time than you wanted. But if you take a look at the map, there are a ton of other places you could check out, small loops, etc. You could take it easy, stop by Emeric Lake too, or check out the Sunrise Camp, add a couple days here and there. From the top of the camps down into the valley it's a lot of downhill–some people actually prefer climbing. But the views are incredible. and you'd get a chance to see the alpine heights, the huge ponderosa pine forests in the middle elevations, and then the cliffs and waterfalls that make Yosemite famous (if you're going when they'll still be running). Bring trekking poles. :)

Hi,

If "truly spectacular" is important, I'd choose Evolution Basin (Kings Canyon NP) by a mile over anything in Yosemite.

The same question has been on my mind, as I'd like to take my own dad on what could be his last b-pack trip, somewhere in the Sierra. Evolution is what I would probably choose, and I have been most everywhere.

Do the 53-mile, all-on-trail loop, starting at North Lake and ending at South Lake. If you spread it over 7 days, that's 7.5 miles/day. Does that daily distance sound doable for him?

Permits are issued by Inyo National Forest. You are asking for a Paiute Pass entry. These get snatched up months in advance. Check the schedule on the Inyo website to find out the first day you can reserve a permit for the date you want.

Drive up the night before and sleep at a campground at high elevation, to get acclimated. Lots of car campgrounds in that area.

Park the car at your end point (South Lake) and hitch a ride the short distance to your starting point at North Lake. Lots of friendly hikers around who will give you a ride.

– Elizabeth

After looking at the map that would be a fairly easy and scenic loop. I might try that one myself :)

"Do the 53-mile, all-on-trail loop, starting at North Lake and ending at South Lake. If you spread it over 7 days, that's 7.5 miles/day. Does that daily distance sound doable for him?"

When I did this same trail in early August, there were lots of people hiking it south-to-north and most had it planned as six or seven days. I went north-to-south in four days.

"Permits are issued by Inyo National Forest. You are asking for a Paiute Pass entry. These get snatched up months in advance. Check the schedule on the Inyo website to find out the first day you can reserve a permit for the date you want."

I was quite amazed when I walked up and received a same-day permit. I got it and was on the trail two hours later.

"Park the car at your end point (South Lake) and hitch a ride the short distance to your starting point at North Lake. Lots of friendly hikers around who will give you a ride."

I finished at South Lake, and no drivers wanted to pick me up for 2.5 hours. I guess that said a lot about my appearance. You will be carrying a map. On the back of the map you print large "RIDE" and maybe you will get lucky.

–B.G.–