Is it possible for backpackers starting the JMT to camp in Little Yosemite Valley? Somoewhere, in another online forum, someone mentioned that backpackers are not allowed, or something like that. I am planning to start at Happy Isles to immediately to camp at Little Yosemite and then spend the rest of the day clmbing Half Dome. Does this plan sound reasonable?
Thank you,
Julio
Julio
On my reservation confirmation for the JMT it says “You must camp beyond Little Yosemite Valley and Moraine Dome” they say it is because of bears
The Hobo
Hmmm - my permit for Happy Isle->Little Yosemite Valley states that you must get to Little Yosemite Valley before camping.
When I got the permit the reservation folks mentioned that I have to stay in Little Yosemite Valley and cannot go on to Sunrise.
OregonBeerMan
I am hiking SB starting August 1st. The only way that I could get a permit was to stay at LYV. The guy at the reservation desk was adamant that I can’t camp anywhere past LYV the first night. After that, no restrictions.
Like you Julio, I wanted to climb Half Dome, so it worked out perfectly for me.
Crimson
My permit also says, “You must camp beyond Little Yosemite Valley and Moraine Dome”. I was thinking about camping just past the trail junction to Half Dome, climbing it on day 2 and then heading to Sunrise…not 100% sure though…
Any comments or suggestions from vetrans?
Weez
Weez
Depends on what your permit says. They have quotas for different areas in Yosemite. My walk-in permit was for Little Yosemite, so even though i didn’t plan on staying there, i did. It worked out just fine.
If your permit says you have to go past Little Yosemite, you can pretty much stick to your Half Dome plan anyway. Just do like Weez said, and camp past the Half Dome junction. There are plenty of flat sites near water. Only problem is that’s a big time bear problem area, so you’d better have a canister, EVERYthing with any smell out of the tent, and either nerves of steel plus earlplugs -or- pots and whistles of steel and the love of staying up late at night scaring away bears. Personally, i’d hope for the the Little Yosemite permit. The rangers try to keep bears clear of that camping area, plus their’s a toilet. You’ll have plenty of “authentic” camping later in the trail.
markv
are available from Happy Isles trailhead. As I understand the explanation from my conversations with the reservations folks you have:
Happy Isles->Little Yosemite Valley which requires you to camp in LYV your first night.
or
Happy Isles->Sunrise/Merced Lake (pass through) which requires you to camp beyond LYV and Moraine Dome - according to my confirmation letter. That will add at least 2 miles to your first day.
Doug
Does anyone know the distance between Merced Lake Backpackers camp and the Half Dome Trail & JMT junction?
Julio
Merced Lake Backpackers camp to LYV campsites 8.3 miles.
LYV to Half Dome Trail/JMT junction 2.2 miles.
Phil B