Yosemite question

[Aaron]

Hi, I’ve lived in the Bay Area for years but never been to Yosemite. Figure I should. But really it’s so complicated trying to figure out how! I think I’ve kinda figured out the basics – they limit it by trailhead. My question is how the hell do they know what trailhead I started at? For all they know I could have been out there for a week starting far away, no? Is it the honor system?

[Ken Thompson]

Permits,

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildfaq.htm

[Matthew / BPL]

Aaron, there are lots of backcountry rangers who check permits. If you enter at X trailhead with Y permit there is a pretty good chance you will bump into a ranger within a few miles and you are going to have a hard time explaining how you got there, why your clothes are so clean and your bear can is full.

Just my $.02 but the permits are in place to keep popular areas from getting overused. I don’t think you will get a lot of support here for gaming the system.

The permit system is a massive PITA but one good thing is it keeps the muggles out. There are plenty of resources explaining the system and application dates. Typically your choices are reserve way early (168 days before entry, iirc) or get a walk-up permit (show up early and stand in line, better midweek than weekend, etc.).

Good luck and have a nice trip.

[Aaron]

Thanks, I’m all for gaming systems but not trying to this time. Just trying to figure out how this particular system of rules works/ is enforced. I guess I just couldn’t imagine there are so many rangers that they could check every permit at every trailhead.

[Pedestrian]

Or go to places in the surrounding Sierra not named Yosemite for overnight trips and dayhike (no permit required except perhaps Half Dome trail) Yosemite.

 

 

[Aaron]

Yeah, the surrounding Sierra makes a lot more sense to me, but its one of those things that literally everyone does, and I’m that strange guy who’s never been there. People get surprised. I mean people who don’t even hike get surprised lol.

[Aaron]

Oh I should also say I don’t live in, hike in, or visit places so cold it can snow, so I’m still bit nervous about planning trips in the Sierra. Even clouds rest… Is there snow there? I figure its popular enough that I might be able to find that info online, but a quick 10 minute search got me nothing. How do I know when the snow is gone? If you go for a hike and encounter snow do you turn around? How does one know the likelihood of a snow encounter?

[Aaron]

Well I got the permit for August 9 to 11. Excited!

[David Flaherty]

Awesome place! We were out there last year for a week on the Red Peak pass loop. The permits do help limit traffic on the feeder trails. Once you’re in the trail system, you can go anywhere. Camping is limited in certain high traffic or fragile areas.

I’d avoid the mist trail. It was awesome to see, but it was as busy as a New York subway station and jammed with people who were not prepared for the physical demands of the trail.

[Paul Wagner]

1. Just start early in the morning and you’ll avoid 90%of the crowds.  And it doesn’t have to be crack of dawn.  Start hiking at 8am and you’ll have an open trail..

[Aaron]

Bumping to ask a question. This my route. I got the Glacier Point to Illilouette trailhead (no camping in little yosemite valley). At first I was thinking I’ll have to do a short first day and camp near illilouette creek, then longer 2nd and 3rd days. But then I realized this “little yosemite valley” that has a special trailhead requirement is a specific campsite. What if I hike in the correct direction but just do a longer day one, and camp close to clouds rest, perhaps the campsites on pack trail? It’s not the prohibited campsite so it should be ok? I’d much rather do a long first day, summit and hike back to illilouette the second day, camp near the creek and hike 4 miles out on Sunday and be home before it’s crazy late. What do you think, would this work/be allowed?

When I got the permit I suggested the first idea – camp near the creek on night one. So technically it would not be following my initial “plan” (which wasn’t really a plan), but it seems it is still within the rules of that trailhead & not overcrowding “little yosemite valley campsite”.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map–17680

[Paul Wagner]

I’d suggest the shorter first day.  It will take you some time to collect your permit and then get up to Glacier Point.  You might not start hiking until late morning.  And if you are coming up from the Bay Area, you’ll be getting used to the altitude, too.

Make the first day easier…then head over to Cloud’s Rest.  If you’re feeling good, climb it that afternoon.  If you’re tired, leave it for the morning.  From there on it’s all downhill and your pack will be light.

[Aaron]

Thanks for the advice all. Went for the short first day (also I was told that was required).
Didn’t see a single ranger out there.

Here is a post with links to trip report, photos, and route:
https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/yosemite-glacier-point-to-clouds-rest/

[Author]

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