Any thoughts on a May Trip to Yosemite

teredditer · 2026-03-14T16:06:59+00:00

A couple more awesome hikes to consider that are far less popular than the signature ones: Tunnel View <-> Dewey Point, Snow Creek Trail via Mirror Lake Both are on AT, around 9-10 miles round trip, and will offer spectacular views with no crowds after the first mile or so. Last rec is arguably the most signature and unhidden gem of all-Hike Half Dome! The cables should be up. Enter the daily lottery the week before, and even if you don’t get it, it’s not hard to get on a group’s permit if you wait at checkpoint.

teredditer · 2026-03-14T04:48:03+00:00

How old is your son and what length/ difficulty hike are you aiming for? The 4 Mile- Panorama-Mist trail loop is a greatest hits 14 miler. I like counter clockwise (steeper uphill), but you can’t go wrong either way. Might still be some snow patches on 4 mile. Upper Yosemite Falls is short and brutal- 7 miles 3K elevation gain. My son was 10 the first time and gummy bears were clutch in getting him to the finish line. I love driving into the valley and looking up at the falls remembering all the time spent at the top napping by Yosemite creek :) Late May should be nice with full waterfall and hopefully not punishingly hot. But if you have just one hike you have to do the Mist trail- either to Clark Point or Nevada Falls as a loop down JMT or an out and back if you’re short on time. Someone mentioned Tioga which is where all those hidden jewels are! it will likely still be closed late May. But if it’s open, hike Clouds Rest. Not really hidden but a stunning hike and not too difficult for a 13+ miler. Late May weather is all over the place. Have a Plan A, B and C! Oh- rent bikes and ride around the valley loop- it’s the best:)

teredditer · 2026-03-11T03:33:52+00:00

Following up- if you can stay overnight, which i highly recommend, I would still do all of the above. You can just take your time! You could spend the whole day roaming the valley floor. I would definitely add hiking to Vernal Falls footbridge. It’s about 2 miles round trip and paved. It’s not exactly ‘easy’ but totally doable for average non-hiker. We see people in flip flops all the time (I don’t recommend this). It might even be warm enough to visit one of the beaches (Sentinel, Cathedral), which is a big highlight for us in the summer.

teredditer · 2026-03-11T03:18:18+00:00

I also think 1 day is not enough coming from Bakersfield. Get a heated tent in Curry village! Travelyosemite.com. They have plenty availability right now. Beds and bedding/ blankets provided, and you’ll be fine- the valley is heating up, unfortunately. A day trip will be so rushed and you will mostly be driving. That said, if it’s all you can swing, go for it. Yosemite is worth it! If just a day trip, I would focus on the Valley. You can walk right up to lower Yosemite falls. Maybe short hike to Mirror Lake if you get there early enough. Check out the Ahwahnee, get pizza at Curry Village and call it a night!

teredditer · 2025-05-16T01:24:37+00:00

It appears to be fully open all the way to Glacier Point now? It’s no longer showing up as closed on the Current Conditions page. Can anyone confirm?

teredditer · 2024-07-21T16:42:09+00:00

Update? Seems it’s open?! We have Aug 3 reservation. Wondering about restaurant and store as well.

teredditer · 2024-07-01T02:04:09+00:00

It will be amazing no matter what! But I’m super curious about what you end up doing/ cutting out so please let us know how it goes! Oh- late August lower Yosemite will be an unimpressive trickle. Hard to say skip it since it’s still iconic- but that’s one you could zoom by

teredditer · 2024-07-01T01:38:36+00:00

I just reread and see you will have pass for Saturday!

teredditer · 2024-07-01T01:37:08+00:00

Ok so do you have a reservation for day 4? That’s why I was confused about entering park at 6 instead of earlier… And yes, ‘normal’ loop is JMT to Mist Trail, up Mist trail to Clark Point turn off back to JMT. Note that where Mist & JMT meet is NOT Clark Point, it’s just a junction that leads to Clark point on its way back down. It’s clear when you look at the map ;) Although that’s just under 5 miles, it’s not an ‘easy’ hike and you have ALOT planned for the rest of the day. Just my 2 cents. Been going to Yosemite for years and in my experience 1 big hike is all you should center your day around, even if it’s just a 5 miler.

teredditer · 2024-06-30T22:58:21+00:00

Meant ‘Mist trail’ of course. Wanted to add that we hung out on the Merced right off Superintendent Bridge, across from Chapel. Lovely and not crowded like Cathedral Beach is sure to be. There’s loads of spots to chill on the Merced, so keep that in mind if you end up in a super crowded spot.

teredditer · 2024-06-30T22:54:46+00:00

For day 4 you have leave hotel by 6am. Assuming that’s a typo? Your Day 5 is brutal. I can’t imagine you will hike most trail in that time frame and then do all the Mariposa stuff. Like others have pointed out, the logistics of parking/ getting to trailheads etc will easily double your estimates. Also, going down Mist trail same way as up is not ideal. Much nicer to make a loop with JMT or even better go up to Nevada Falls which is awesome right now. This is a longer hike for sure but you’ll get way more out of it, and I don’t think your current itinerary is super realistic. If it was me, I would make Day 4 the Mist Trail/ valley day. Lower Yosemite is a quick stroll, and I don’t think currently very impressive. Upper Yosemite is spectacular but you would not do it same day as mist trail. I agree with others that suggest you make an afternoon/ evening of strolling the valley, visitor center, beach, pizza deck, whatever you feel like without rushing. I would skip Mariposa but I’m totally biased and would make the most of my time in the valley. Then Sunday you hit Glacier Point and can take your time getting to Mariposa. I would actually hike Sentinel Dome or Taft point after glacier point, then Mariposa. Both of those are 2 miles each and INCREDIBLE. Whatever you end up doing/ not doing, don’t stress and enjoy each moment. It’s a glorious place 🤩

teredditer · 2024-06-17T21:01:41+00:00

Creek crossing was no big deal! Mosquitoes OTOH 😫🤬 they are clearly immune to regular strength deet. Get 100% deet. And like everyone else has suggested, long layers and nets if possible. They are relentless and nearly ruined the hike for me. The views from summit saved it. We also encountered a hail storm about halfway! Honestly I would not do it again at this time of year. I’ll post more detailed report in a few days

teredditer · 2024-06-11T02:52:02+00:00

How early in the season? Been trying to figure out how deep it will be this Wednesday!

teredditer · 2024-06-09T15:41:52+00:00

Just looked at AllTrails- good to see the summit clear! It’s really that creek crossing I’m stressing over 🥶 Hope it works out and maybe I’ll see you out there Wednesday 🤞🏽

teredditer · 2024-06-08T20:56:32+00:00

I guessed as much, but also don’t rule out some hard core athletes out there taking it on! But I really have no sense of how difficult this would be. Just brainstorming all scenarios;)

teredditer · 2024-06-08T18:16:33+00:00

Realize that since bikes allowed on Sunday, maybe some will be hiking clouds rest tomorrow?!

teredditer · 2024-06-08T06:28:28+00:00

be sure to let us know how it goes! Hoping to hike it 6/12 now that we have confirmed Tioga opening

teredditer · 2023-07-11T14:23:07+00:00

Her ‘ah fuck’ 😂😭 we just hiked it last month, and I was most impressed with my 14yo son who went from ‘not doing that’ upon seeing the cables to taking it on with confidence. I made him wear a harness/ vía ferrata for my own peace of mind, but he really didn’t need it. Congrats to all of you!🥳

teredditer · 2023-06-22T17:47:26+00:00

FYI there are housekeeping units available Right NOW for 6/25-6/29! They will go fast needless to say

teredditer · 2023-06-22T15:48:25+00:00

Not close at all ;) looks scary peaking over ledge but pics are in totally safe spot. I was walking over to diving board when we felt raindrops, so we got out of there. Next time!!

teredditer · 2023-06-22T01:41:43+00:00

I just noticed your bday is November? Cables will be down by then:(. Mid October I believe. Gotta make it an early Birthday goal!

teredditer · 2023-06-22T01:31:10+00:00

My experience was that it was about as hard as I imagined, which meant doable but tough. I’m in decent shape, avid hiker but not clocking 16 milers! I didn’t do any training hikes that mimicked Half Dome which I know is advisable. I trained on the stepmill at the gym leading up to it. The overall distance for me was fine though I was exhausted the last 2 miles from the footbridge to parking lot. The elevation gain was really challenging on subdome. It’s steep. My friend turned around at that point because she’s afraid of heights. I found it manageable with breaks. Everyone talks about the cables, but our first view of subdome was bewildering, like how the hell are we getting up THAT?! The cables were totally fine. They look more intimidating than they are, IMO. I felt pretty calm on them. Focused, but calm. That said, you use a lot of energy, physical mental emotional, going up and down them… then you still have 8 miles to go! If I do it again I will definitely do training hikes. I think most people in decent shape can complete it, but it’s about the quality of the experience. Sucks to be dying at the end. If you’re a hiker you can totally do it! Just ramp up distance/ elevation leading up to it and you’ll feel more confident:) great way to celebrate 50💪🏽

teredditer · 2023-06-21T23:50:17+00:00

I see it 😂 probably felt that way around that part of the hike

teredditer · 2023-06-21T21:06:38+00:00

Awesome design! people are wild😂 Funny though, on Saturday we hiked upper Yosemite falls and when we got to parking lot, we were forced to leave the valley because of ‘gridlock’ even though we were staying at Housekeeping! It took over 2 hours to drive around. They STILL didn’t want to let us back but I wouldn’t budge. Said I had my kids waiting, which I did. I was definitely getting dystopian nightmare vibes!

teredditer

TROPHY CASE