Here is the plan I prepared for the backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park, June 2024. I reserved the wilderness permit for Glacier Point – Little Yosemite Valley, and few nights of Pines campground in the valley.
What’s the plan?
Camping
Camping in the wilderness of Yosemite NP requires a permit. I already reserved a permit for 2 people from June 18 (Tue.) to June 22 (Saturday., can be changed), for Glacier Point – Little Yosemite Valley trailhead, which is also eligible for Half Dome hiking. It needs to be picked up from the office on June 17. Please see below for more details. And also, we need to follow the wilderness regulation of Yosemite NP. Few important points:
- You must camp 4 trail miles away from Yosemite Valley
- You must camp at least 100 ft away from the existing trail.
- All human waste must be buried at least six inches deep and at least 100 ft from water sources, camp areas, and trails.
- Do all washing at least 100 ft from water. Do not put any soap in water (even biodegradable and natural soap pollutes).
- Carry out all trash.
- Proper food storage is mandatory. Allowed bear-resistant food canisters are required in all areas of Yosemite. Hanging or guarding your food items is not permissible.
Parking
You can leave your car at any public parking lot, make sure all the food and scented items are removed from the car and stored in the shared bear safe locker. For backpacker’s camp and Upper Pines, the closest parking lot is the Trailhead Parking.
Shuttle in the Valley
The valley shuttle runs between 7am and 10 pm. Through June 30, 2024, construction at shuttle stops will disrupt service. Shuttle stops 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, & 19 are subject to temporary closure. An alternative pickup and dropoff location will be available at Curry Village registration parking, near the Curry Village front office. During the closure, use this temporary stop for all east Valley destinations. The Glacier Point Tour bus will depart from the covered driveway of Yosemite Valley Lodge (Stop 7), tickets need to be picked up from the lobby.
Hiking
Due to the high temperature of summer, preferably we can depart early in the morning. Please check and download the map at https://caltopo.com/m/6M4T1, or download the GPX file from Glacier_Point_-_Little_Yosemite_Valley.gpx. The print-friendly PDF version can be download from Yosemite_2024_GP-LYV_Topo.pdf
Day 0 (June 17): drive to Yosemite National Park, picking up the wilderness permit from the Wilderness Center in Yosemite Village, and requesting for the Half Dome permits for June 19. Renting the bear canister. Camping at the backpacker’s campground near the North Pines. Visit Lower Yosemite Falls, Tunnel Views and Artists Point. Parking the car at the Trailhead Parking.
Day 1 (June 18): having breakfast, packing everything, walking to Curry Village to take the Valley Shuttle to the Yosemite Valley Lodge (Stop 7) before 8 AM. Picking up the tour bus tickets, and taking the bus to Glacier Point. Refilling water at Glacier Point (A), and start hiking along the Panorama Trail to Little Yosemite Valley campground (B). Total distance: 7.01 mi. Total elevation gain: +1,098 ft. Total elevation drop: -2,173 ft.
Day 2 (June 19): getting up early (6 AM) , having breakfast. Carry water, food, emergency equipment, gloves, drivers license, to hike Half Dome (B). Water can be refilled in Merced River (near Little Yosemite Valley campground) or Sunrise Creek (near Clouds Rest Junction). Try to summit before 10 AM, rest and hike back to Clouds Rest Junction, and camp there for the night. Total distance: 6.89 mi. Total elevation gain: +2,734 ft. Total elevation drop: -2,734 ft.
Day 3 (June 20): getting up early (6 AM) , having breakfast, refilling water in Merced River or Sunrise Creek, hiking to Clouds Rest (D). Going back to Little Yosemite Valley Campground (B). Total distance: 10.8 mi. Total elevation gain: +3,792 ft. Total elevation drop: -3,792 ft.
Day 4 (June 21): stay late in Little Yosemite Valley, have breakfast and refill good amounts of water in Merced River, Hiking to Diving Board (E). Going back to Little Yosemite Valley (B) for night. Total distance: 4.4 mi. Total elevation gain: 1,513 ft. Total elevation drop: -1,513 ft.
Day 5 (June 22): getting down from Little Yosemite Valley, refilling water in Merced River, hiking back to Happy Isles Trailhead (F) via John Muir Trail (JMT) and Mist Trail. Follow the JMT when getting out of Little Yosemite Valley and once get to Clark Point, switching to Mist Trail. Due to the high flow rate of the Merced River, it is likely very wet near the Vernal Fall. Since it’s Saturday, expect the trail will be busy and crowded. Total distance: 6.03 mi. Total elevation gain: +192 ft. Total elevation drop: -2,272 ft.
Once retrieve the car from the, drive to Upper Pines campground and camp there for night. Having food and taking a bath in Curry Village. Then driving to Glacier Point Road to have a short hike on Sentinel Dome and Taft Point in the late afternoon, may watch sunset at Glacier Point.
Summary:
| Date | Strat | End | Distance (mi) | Elev. Gain (ft) | Elev. Drop (ft) |
| June 18 | GP | LYV | 7.1 | +1,098 | -2,173 |
| June 19 | LYV | LYV | 6.9 | +2,734 | -2,734 |
| June 20 | LYV | LYV | 10.8 | +3,792 | -3,792 |
| June 21 | LYV | LYV | 4.4 | +1,513 | -1,513 |
| June 22 | LYV | HI | 6.0 | +192 | -2,279 |
| Total | N/A | N/A | 31.2 | +9,329 | -12,491 |
What to bring?
- National Park Annual Pass if you have, otherwise prepare to pay the entrance fee.
- Backpack
- Comfortable shoes and light-weight jacket: it’s summer, but it’s cold during the night and early morning, especially when you camp at High Sierra
- Tent: since we need to hike a strenuous trail, please choose light-weight gear if possible.
- Sleeping bag and pad: due to the high elevation, the temperature during the night time can drop to 40F or even lower.
- Headlight and batteries
- Water container: Please make sure to bring a water container big enough to supply all the water needs (drinking, cooking, washing, etc) for hiking and camping. There is no potable water on the trail, so the water filter is essential.
- Food and cooking wares, utensils: again, please choose light-weight gear if possible.
- Bear-resistant food container: this is required by the Yosemite NP regulation. It can be rented in Yosemite Valley for $5/week.
- Mosquito repellent and bug net: it’s the mosquito season, expect to have many of them in the meadow.
- Food: 4 × breakfast (morning of 19, 20, 21, and 22), 4-5 × lunch (noon of 18, 19, 20, 21, and maybe 22), 4 × dinner (afternoon of 18, 19, 20, 21), and snacks during the day.
| Name | Amount | Weight (oz) | Calories (kcal) | Category |
| Chicken & Dumplings | 1 | 4.5 | 600 | Dinner |
| Mushroom Risotto | 1 | 3.4 | 410 | Dinner |
| Pad Thai with Chicken | 1 | 3.9 | 480 | Dinner |
| Risotto with Chicken | 1 | 5.2 | 580 | Dinner |
| Rice with Veggie | 1 | 5 | 510 | Lunch |
| Instant Noodle | 1 | 4.2 | 510 | Dinner |
| Instant Oat | 6 | 1.2 | 130 | Breakfast |
| Granola | 1 | 4 | 500 | Breakfast |
| Trail Mix | 4 | 2 | 160 | Snack |
| Almod Butter | 3 | 1.2 | 220 | Lunch |
| Shortbread | 2 | 0.9 | 180 | Snack |
| Granola Bar | 2 | 1.2 | 160 | Snack |
| Rasin | 1 | 3.5 | 300 | Breakfast |
| Olive Oil | 1 | 3.5 | 884 | Dinner |
| Stroopwafel | 5 | 1.2 | 150 | Breakfast |
| Flour Tortilla | 4 | 1.7 | 150 | Lunch |
| Soy TVP | 1 | 2 | 150 | Protein |
| Dry Chicken | 1 | 2 | 250 | Protein |
Total Calories: 9,300 kcal
Total Weight: 77 oz
Average: 120 kcal / oz
Final Checklist
- Bring all the essential gear: water treatment or storage, food, bear canister, tent/sleeping bag/sleeping pad, headlight, national park pass if you have.
- Make sure all the gears are in working condition, still have time to order or rent for now.
- Charge your digital equipment if any.
- Check the weather of Little Yosemite Valley: right now the forecast shows day high around 70F and night low around 50F, with 5-10 mph wind. Perfect weather.
- It’s the
- It’s still the busy season, it may take hours to enter the park. The parking lot can be full and the whole east Yosemite Valley can be closed, especially during the weekend. Try to get into the park early or late. Text YNPTRAFFIC to 333111 for updates.
- When you depart, please call 209-372-0200 (press 1 then 1) for the most up-to-date road conditions. Last time when I visited the 140 road was closed just before I departed due to a rockslide.
Wilderness of Yosemite NP is potentially dangerous to everyone. Bear, rockslide, heat, dehydration, falling, and losing direction can cause severe injury or even death. Plan your visit, be cautious, know your limit, and hike smart.
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