Looking for a short 2 night 3 day back country backpacking trip first week of June in or around Yosemite.
Have a permit for Glen Aulin but I suspect that’s probably still got a ton of snow cover 2 weeks from now but could be wrong
Is best bet a lower elevation loop like Hetch Hetchy this year given snow cover?
Welcome any and all perspectives. Thank you
I’m planning on doing this loop this weekend. I know there’s no snow rn down by the falls, but is the snow gone from up around Lake Vernon too? Where do you go to find those conditions? I’m looking at this and it looks like there’s still a bit up there, but maybe I’m looking in the wrong place?
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1045012.html
I use CalTopo to map my routes, and if you have the paid version you can access the Sentinel Weekly satellite imagery to check it. https://imgur.com/a/imR8XRh I took screenshots of the loop, and a close up of the area above Tiltil Valley that you’ll pass to then descend into Vernon.
You can see there’s no snow at all around Vernon, however east of Vernon and on that low pass area there’s what looks like spotty patches of it.
If interested, this is a good place to start to learn how to judge stuff like this: https://andrewskurka.com/template-environmental-route-conditions-assessment/
Those satellite images were taken 5/15/24 btw, so they will be even smaller with the next update in images im sure given that was 5 days ago
Really appreciate the recommendations! I got a 404 on the imgur link, but I am surfing through that Skurka post and wow, so many good resources in there! And I haven’t done CalTopo yet, but it’s probably time now. Thanks!
Awesome, it’s a great resource indeed. Lots to dig into :) try this link, I reuploded them… guess I messed that up the first time as it wasn’t there when I went to check! https://imgur.com/a/6EqTAzx
Oh yeah, those images are great! And yep, you’re right, doesn’t look like enough snow to thwart anything. Super thanks!
Shouldn’t be bad at all. I’ve been up there with what looks like similar (if not more) snow cover (as I still had some on the ground at Vernon). Foolishly bright snowshoes… never needed them… was easy to just walk around or over the patches. May be pretty wet (tilltill valley will be a marsh you’ll have to walk through) and Rancheria will be flowing heavy, but otherwise should be an ideal time to head out there! Enjoy the trip :)
Signed up for CalTopo Pro…this is great! And there isn’t as much snow on Pohono as I thought either! I actually scored a Glacier Point->Pohono permit too…what do you think about that vs. Hetch Hetchy this weekend? I’ve never done either one, and I’m stoked on both for different reasons, but want to commit so I can release the other permit. Now that snow isn’t a factor, my hesitation on HH is the swampy slog through Tiltill, but will it be swampy along Pohono too? Where will the wildflowers be better, do you think?
Great to hear and glad the tip was helpful. I have no experience up at Pohono so cant really say.
But I’ve done the loop around Vernon/Rancheria three times going both directions… don’t let the possible marsh of Tiltil deter you. It’s a beautiful little valley and you’ll find dry ground to camp on there. Just the times I’ve gone the trail was about ankle deep under water (still water) and we just took our boots off to trek through it. Wasn’t a big deal at all. Wildflowers should be great there, and especially on the high ground/pass above Tiltil/vernon, I remember seeing some mind blowing blooms with excellent view. I’ve always wanted to camp up there, but it’s so close to Vernon that I never have and always push on to Vernon itself.
Also I would say all the waterfalls around HH are absolutely gushing from what I can see in the Sat images and it will be a prime time to go. Dangerous to be in the rivers of course but there’s a wooden foot bridge over Falls Creek at Vernon which will allow safe crossing.
I’m biased and again haven’t been to your alternative, but I do absolutely love the HH area and think it’s super overlooked when it should be considered a second Yosemite Valley (just without the crowds usually once you’re a mile or so into the trail)
So yeah, you’ve convinced me :) I’ve always wanted to backpack HH, and this seems like an awesome time to do it. Thank you! I have another question, and then I promise to leave you alone…is this loop hammockable? And is that allowed? From what I’ve read, the answer is yes and yes, as long as I’m not hanging on oaks. Is that right? I also have a trekking pole tent, so if it’s not hammockable, will I be able to get stakes in the ground? I always worry about that with all the granite…could do rock anchors if it comes down to it. But first choice is definitely my hanging slice of heaven.
Hetch Hetchy — lake Vernon loop. I recommend going up to Rancheria falls direction versus beehive which is straight up switchbacks to start. Lower elevation with no snow currently and a beautiful and overlooked part of the park https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/hetch-hetchy-loop--2
If you do get your Glen Aulin permit with the road being open, another lower elevation option is to hike from there down the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. Also stunning and will be flowing heavy with waterfalls and rapids due to the snowmelt.