Day 4 was another high mileage day that included ascending to the top of Half Dome.
The Quick and Dirty:
Location: Sunrise High Sierra Camp to Half Dome to Happy Isle
Distance: Approximately 16 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Duration: N/A
Day 3 was an unplanned, high mileage day to make up miles and get closer to Half Dome. We stopped off at Tuolumne Meadows for some food and headed towards Sunrise High Sierra Camp (HSC).
The Quick and Dirty:
Location: Lyell Canyon to Sunrise High Sierra Camp
Distance: 22 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Duration: N/A
Our goal for the day was to traverse over Donohue Pass into Yosemite Wilderness, stopping short of Kuna Creek and the camping prohibition zone.
The Quick and Dirty:
Location: Ruby Lake to Lyell Canyon (over Donohue Pass)
Distance: 11-12 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Duration: N/A
The hike from Devils Post Pile to Ruby Lake was nearly all completely up-hills. Along the way, we passed Rosalie Lake, Shadow Lake, Trinity Lakes, and Garnet Lake.
The Quick and Dirty:
Location: Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center, Devils Post Pile to Ruby Lake
Distance: 12 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Duration: N/A
After last years fires in the Sierras smoked us out of our John Muir Trail section hike, we got permits to attempt to do it again this year. Unfortunately, S could not make it this time and instead a few of my friends (A and E) joined me on the trip.
The schedule was fairly aggressive and it really pushed the hiking team. While S and I both comfortably hike 15-20 mile days, the other two have never done more than nine miles a day. We followed as closely to our original itinerary as possible, but having been issued walk-in permits for Half Dome, we accelerated our schedule to meet our permit date. The number of people on the trail during this time of the year also made it very difficult to find suitable camp sites.
A few quick notes: Yosemite recently changed nearly all of the names throughout the valley, I used an old map and it made it difficult to locate where I was going.
The Quick and Dirty:
Location: John Muir Trail (JMT), between Devils Post Pile to Yosemite National Park
Distance: Approximately 50 miles (+/- a few for Tuolomne Meadows)
Best Time: JMT suggested times (typically August through September)
Duration: Four days (+)
Permits and Restrictions: Permits can be obtained through www.recreation.gov. Make sure to obtain a fire permit online or at the ranger’s office if you plan on using a stove for cooking. A bear canister is also required for this trail and available for rental at the local ranger station. Permit pick up at Mammoth Welcome Center (night box options OK).
Hike Now, Work Later 