When you first climb out of the Yosemite valley where it splits into two trails one for the JMT the other for Half Dome, am I mistaken or is there a backpackers camp about half a mile on the Half Dome side ? And if it there is there any reason a hiker can’t start the JMT there ? When I go next year I like to see Half Dome before I start, this seams like a easy solution.
The Hobo
There is a backpackers camp. I’m not sure what you mean by starting the JMT there. You have to hike on the JMT to get there to begin with. Permits to camp there are required and there is now a requirement for a permit to climb Half Dome. More info here:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm
Still Lookin
Sorry I should of been clearer I wanted to hike up to Half Dome and then back to the Backpackers camp and start the JMT from there the next morning.
The Hobo
The JMT starts in Yosemite Valley - there’s a backpacker’s camp there for the night before you start out. After about a 4 mile climb out of the Valley, past Nevada Falls, you get to the Little Yosemite Valley campground that requires a permit. This is en route to Half Dome. It’s a few (?@) more miles from there to Half Dome. The JMT goes about half along the route to Half Dome, then splits off. If you’re backpacking, there are camp spots , I’m not sure where.
If you have a backpacking wilderness permit, you don’t need a permit to do Half Dome - that’s only needed for day hikers on Fridays, Sats and Sundays. Tho the rangers are reconsidering how to deal with Half Dome, so more regulations may emerge.
If you’re doing the JMT, you probably won’t want to do Half Dome then go back to the Valley to restart the JMT! That is a lot of work! Cheers-
Barbara
That is what I am saying once I do half dome I dont want to go all the way down thats why I was asking about the camp. Thanks
The Hobo
There’s a real nice campsite (with water) right on the JMT about 1/2 mile past where the half-dome trail turns off.
Eric