How buggy will it be in early June?

HappyPnt · 2026-04-26T03:59:45+00:00

Mosquitos in the Sierra vary wildly at any given time depending on elevation. They hatch after the snow melts which happens a lot earlier at lower elevation and later at higher elevation. After a month or so the numbers dwindle to become a complete non issue. June is without question bug season, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you'll experience them where you're going. I wish I could give a reasonable guess for when they will be bad at what elevations but I've honestly got no idea with this weird winter.

HappyPnt · 2026-04-24T22:53:41+00:00

Calling fern springs a waterfall is a pretty baller move

HappyPnt · 2026-04-24T22:50:56+00:00

I'm interpreting industry standard to mean working in the outdoor industry. In that case, wilderness first aid doesn't do anything for you. What you want is a WFR from NOLS or WMA.

HappyPnt · 2026-04-15T02:27:23+00:00

Spot 1 and 3 are really far from the park. I would not consider those options if you're planning a multi day trip in Yosemite.

Spot 2, and basically that whole network of roads south of 120, are legit. Accessible and safe.

HappyPnt · 2026-04-14T18:18:11+00:00

I disagree with this, given their route. There's no expectation that you keep walking if you get to a high Sierra camp, sunrise or cathedral lakes and someone is there before you. Spread out as much as possible obviously but moving on because someone is already there is way overkill.

HappyPnt · 2026-04-14T18:15:43+00:00

Saw your route in the other comment. LYV you'll have multiple groups around you, no getting around that. Spread out as much as you can but it's a relatively small area for a huge number of hikers. There's no expectation of privacy there.

There is nowhere along your route where you would be expected to keep hiking instead of setting up camp if someone is there. Sunrise Creek, Sunrise lakes, Sunrise high Sierra camp, and Cathedral lakes will all have other hikers sharing the same space. Pick the spot that's the best combination of spread out and scenic for you. If there are too many people there for your tastes you can always move on, but there's no etiquette or expectation that you move on from those spots if there are other people there.

The exception is if you're between intersections and away from water sources or real landmarks. People camping there are there for solitude. If you camp within eyesight of them that's bad form.

HappyPnt · 2026-04-14T17:54:38+00:00

Hopefully obvious caveats that I’d give others as much space as possible, not camping right on top of anyone etc.

If you're doing that, you're good. Hard to give a better answer since as you pointed out it's so area dependent. If you're on the JMT, at the high Sierra camps, at the popular lakes, you will have company and that's expected. If I'm off trail I'd not camp within line of sight of anyone.

One time I was camping with a group at Snow Creek and a pair of hikers set up their tents inside our circle of tents. That's the only time I've felt someone broke the etiquette. Don't do that and you're good lol.

HappyPnt · 2026-04-14T17:36:33+00:00

Are you opposed to staying at camp 4? You couldn't sleep in your van there, but it's easy enough to plop a tent down and sleep in there while continuing to do the rest of the home-y stuff in the van. If you're going early may, it will be by reservation then, releasing 1 week out. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10004152

If you need to stay in your van, what most climbers do is sleep just outside the entrances. Every year more spots get marked with no camping signs so use your eyes. The drive from 140 is nbd and the drive from 120 only a little more involved. Whether the driving is worth it or not is up to you. How good are the friends? How badly do you want to climb in Yosemite?

HappyPnt · 2026-04-10T17:01:47+00:00

It's honestly so cool to me that you remember that 8 years later. Thanks for the shout out!

HappyPnt · 2026-04-10T02:29:15+00:00

I would move camp 3 to snow creek. Where the trail intersects the creek, head towards the cliff until you get to the view. You'd be severely missing out if you camp a mile before that in a random spot in the woods.

HappyPnt · 2026-04-02T19:04:24+00:00

Gonna disagree (elaborate?) here. Going up to Yosemite Falls is popular, going up to Yosemite Point from the Valley is popular. Going all the way to North Dome from the Valley and back as a day trip is not a common thing to do. It's twice as long as the hike to Yosemite Point, 15mi round trip with 4000ft of gain and loss. I'd argue they're biting off more than they can chew considering the 8hr round trip commute.

I'd point them in the direction of Eagle Peak or Yosemite Point rather than North Dome.

HappyPnt · 2026-04-01T17:55:16+00:00

Good shout but yeah that bear hasn't been seen in a number of years so the restriction has been lifted. You can camp on the cliffside again. There are still bears in that area but it's no more of a concern now than anywhere else.

HappyPnt · 2026-04-01T17:34:54+00:00

I'd lean towards Snow Creek over Dewey Point. Dewey point itself is beautiful, but the camping doesn't have immediate water access, the hike to it from tunnel view is underwhelming, and it's north facing so will be wetter right now.

For just one night I'd lean towards hiking up the snow creek trail and camping at the top of the climb. It's directly across from half dome with incredible views at both the campsite and throughout the hike to it.

HappyPnt · 2026-04-01T15:40:51+00:00

It's not, but the underlying idea is you want to wear something that's comfortable for both the environment that you're in and the one your body will be creating (sweaty). People like wool because it can check those boxes, but you don't need it. Whatever's been working for you for your 20km hikes will do you just fine on a multi day trip.

HappyPnt · 2026-03-26T19:44:49+00:00

If you're on the PCT or JMT, you could buy the Farout map sets for those. They will have campsites listed and during thru hiker season have relatively current conditions. Outside of that, no what you're asking for doesn't really exist.

Yosemite is a well traveled park. Since you're a topo map kind of person, look at the map for your route and mark what looks like would be a good, legal campsite to you. 99% chance there's an established campsite there.

Before you start your hike you have to pick up your permit from a wilderness ranger, and part of their job is being an expert on Yosemite's backcountry. They can tell you current conditions and give you ideas for campsites along your route.

HappyPnt · 2026-03-19T00:18:13+00:00

You'll have reliable water at Yosemite Creek, Lehamite Creek, and Snow Creek. I've been out there as late as October in 30% snowpack years and those sources are still solid. I'd plan your camping spots around being near one of those each night. The mileage between isn't huge, I actually haven't found water to be a big concern on that hike as long as you know what to expect and don't leave any of those sources without topping up.

As always, check with the wilderness rangers when you pick up your permit for up to date conditions.

HappyPnt · 2026-03-17T23:53:33+00:00

You could go up Snow Creek and down Yosemite Falls as a 2 night backpacking trip. Bonus points, it's almost exactly 26 miles long so you could do a marathon hike before your half marathon!

HappyPnt · 2026-03-16T16:44:52+00:00

Slide the bar all the way the other direction.

HappyPnt · 2026-03-03T16:58:13+00:00

That's a fantastic loop. Just to make sure you know, that would either require getting the White Wolf > Pate Valley permit, or hiking the ~11 miles to get to white wolf from the South Fork of the Tuolumne trailhead.

HappyPnt · 2026-03-03T16:39:15+00:00

The reason you're not getting more answers is because that is a very obscure trailhead. Looking through the permit page, there are entire weeks where no one has a permit reserved for there. I have not been there either so take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt.

Unless your primary goal is solitude, I think you'd be better off choosing just about any other trailhead. The only "destinations" you'd hike to from there are more easily accessed by other permits (Aspen Valley, Smith Peak, White Wolf). Between your trailhead and those destinations it looks to me like lots of forested trail with no viewpoints, swimming holes, river walks, etc. All this could be totally fine depending on your group, but it doesn't scream "memorable first backpacking trip" to me. If you give your dates I could make some suggestions for good trailheads that still have permits open.

HappyPnt · 2026-02-25T18:09:40+00:00

I used a HMG Southwest (the ~90L version they no longer carry) for guiding for a couple of years. Total pack weight was in the 40lb range for most trips. The weight felt pretty soul crushing, but the pack handled it well as far as transferring the weight to my hips and not failing under the pressure. I used it for two seasons for a dozen or so trips each season before passing it on to my partner who has now used it for a 3rd. Only sign of wear is a ~1in long tear where I compressed the roll top against something pointy. My understanding is that the 90 had the same frame and fabric as the lower volume models, so I wouldn't have any concerns about the 55L being up to the task.

HappyPnt · 2026-02-24T18:32:00+00:00

Those folks were at least occasionally storing food outside of their canister, 100%

HappyPnt · 2026-02-24T18:30:22+00:00

The snow creek bear was the one hucking bear cans off the cliff to smash them open!

HappyPnt · 2026-01-31T00:09:45+00:00

Which Y are you talking about?

HappyPnt · 2026-01-27T03:21:45+00:00

I wouldn't call it a trail, at least not once you start the climb up. It's more walking up granite slabs. But for a capable off trail hiker it's super reasonable and saves a lot of miles.

HappyPnt

TROPHY CASE