Yosemite in early June this year

[Philip S]

I have been backpacking for around forty years but never been to Yosemite.  Late last year I got an interest in going and read a lot about it and the wilderness permit lottery.  I entered the lottery the week or Christmass guessing I would not win in my first try and I would have to enter a few times to possibly win based on reading and videos I had seen but after Christmas received an email that I had won a permit to start at Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley June 5.  At the time I never though of snow being a problem then but obviosly now I do.

Since my trip is now three weeks away I have been reading about snow about every day from numerous sources.  The report from May 3 is Little Yosemite Valley is about 90% covered in snow, with depths of 3 to 5 ft.

I was going to stay overnight in the valley for my first three nights and do day hikes on trails around the valley but also hikes up surrounding mountain areas and see trails such as Four Mile are closed.  I read these trails did not open until min June in 2010 & 2011 with a lot of snow but less than this winter so I get the impression it is not likley I will be able to easily backpack in the area in early June and wonder of others opinions.

I have a permit for september for Glen Aulin and early October for Happy Isles and wonder if I should just wait.  I got the Glen Aulin one thinking I would like the area so much I would want to come back and I got the 2nd Happy Isles one becuse it had not been taken.

I find it very interesting how almost no snow is in the valley at around 4000′ but so much still at 6000.

I live in northern WV and where live in a valley got no accumulation this year and the mountains of 4000′ got very much less.

[DWR D]

The waterfalls will be SPECTACULAR…. !!!!!!

This is a once a decade or two opportunity… at minimum use the pass to get into Yosemite and do a day hike up to the falls… or backpack to Little Yosemite and just spend the night if nothing else is open. The trail will likely be wet and slippery so take your best traction rubber. Definitely go… thousands per day will bring clamoring for entry to Yosemite to see the falls this year !!!!

[jscott]

Go. Pack in past Little Yosemite valley above Nevada falls. You’ll amble along a flat route next to the Merced river with towering sculpted cliffs above. any snow will be compact and easy to traverse. There may be some trail flooding this year. if it’s dangerous, simply turn back. Otherwise continue on. there’s no avalanche danger through here, and the cascading waters on the cliffs are wonderful. The exposed granite portions of the trail melt off far earlier than most might suppose. If you can make it to the two bridges crossing over the Merced, there’s a not obvious campsite just to the north (left) of the first bridge. A wonderful spot, and in almost all heavy snow years, easy to get to. You might push on from there depending on snow conditions. This year there will be a snow avalanche field to cross on the other side of the second bridge. But that’s not hard. However the trail rises and snow may make for a tricky, short stretch a quarter mile later.

It’s hard to predict how things will play out this year. I generally go earlier than now up to Merced lake and beyond. In early season I have it to myself. If Little Yosemite is possible, it may be a zoo–it never is when I go early–but my guess is that this year, people may funnel into int. after that, you should have the trail mostly to yourself.  There will be trees down, but likely not a problem.

otherwise you can hang in the valley and day hike Nevada falls and especially Yosemite falls. Each requires a day. Both are world class day hikes. And steep! I suggest going UP the mist trail to Nevada Falls because it’s slick, and DOWN the Muir trail because it’s dryer and has an entirely different perspective than the Mist trail. Yosemite falls may have snow up higher but it will be compact.

There are other day hikes around the valley that are worth it. You’ll be awed! but it might take you some hours to realize the enormity of the landscape. It’s much hyped, after all. But it may not hit you immediately.

[DWR D]

And… I would not count  Glen Aulin as a sure thing g if it is early or even mid Sept… could be smoky from fires….

[Philip S]

I have Upper Pines campground for my first two nights and know I get to stay in the valley hikers campsite the night before and after backpacking.  That gives me three nights somewhere else and that is what I was questioning.  If I could easily and safely get anywhere.

 

I am not use to that amount of snow.  The most I have had is around two feet but that was January.  Should I bring micro spikes.  Because that much snow is new to me I cannot imagine how I might handle it.

I have looked for an actual Yosemite backpacking forum but did not find anything.  I have debated phoning in to speak to a ranger. I have been looking for more recent reports.  All I seem to see are you tube videos and news reports of the valley.  I will be coming from Fresno and guess will have a long wait at the entrance on a Friday afternoon so appreciate any tips on that.  At lest I will have a parking place reserved for me at my site

[jscott]

Another wrinkle is that 120 after the north entrance is closed due to severe road damage. So you need to come into the valley on 140. Of course check for updates on this.

The snow will be mostly consolidated and so like walking on slightly uneven ground. In my experience in that area, sun cups are not an issue. I did run into post holing one year going up to Clouds Rest. The trail to Merced Lake has never had sun cup or post hole issues in spring, and I’ve done that in early season for decades. Again, over the granite climbs the snow melts off very rapidly. Entering the forest between those mild climbs, there may well be snow but it’s easy to traverse as those areas are flat and the Merced river is right there as a handhold.

Moraine dome, an easy two miles on flat ground past little Yosemite valley, has a few good campsites that are almost never occupied. If LYvalley is crowded, maybe head up there to escape. The campsite just before the two bridges that I mentioned earlier is easy to reach and more beautiful still, I think.

[d k]

I think talking to the rangers would be a good idea to see what they think of the relative safety of the various trails right now and how quickly they expect things to improve.  It’s not clear on the website whether the trail is even open all the way to the top of Yosemite falls right now.  It just says the trail to lower falls is open.

[andrew elmore]

Depending on the ground you’re covering, snowshoes might serve you well.

One year on an early season backpack trip, we ascended Red Peak Pass from the south, and the whole Merced River drainage seemed to be covered with snow for miles.  Not having snowshoes, we retreated back the way we came.

[jscott]

Red Peak Pass and environs is a LOT higher than what the Op is contemplating, and anyway that northern portion stays snowy late. Even there, in my experience, snow shoes would be a hindrance this late. sun cups through there are horrible however. It’s open above tree line.

Again, the snow will be compacted. I think snow shoes will be counterproductive.

[Regina M]

Phil, You should definitely try to call the Yosemite Rangers to discuss which trails are open.  I live in CA and backpacked in Yosemite.  If you day hike or backpack in the snow/ice, I strongly recommend you carry/wear micro-spikes and use trekking poles.

To get to Red Peak Pass (I’ve hiked that pass), you’ll have to come up from Merced Lake.  From there, you may only get as far as the snow levels allow.

Consider checking some of the on-line navigation/map apps for the snow levels and satellite views for where you wish to hike.  I’m sure your winter snow trip experiences will help you trail find and be useful for your planning.

Do come back to Yosemite in September/October, both can be spectacular months to view the park; and apply to backpack again in another future year.

I find myself in a similar situation as you, since I have a permit to hike the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River at the end of June.  I do not think that will be achievable given the huge snowpack and enormous run-offs.  Plus the Tioga Road may not open until July or even maybe this year mid-July.  Good Luck!.

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