You sound like a very informed source, so I'm very excited to find you. I'm planning a 30th birthday surprise trip for my husband in late June. (I'd like to go earlier, but my Mom is a teacher so that's the earliest the babysitting will work out.)

We're flying into SanFran and will drive from there. Do you have suggested route, or should we just come in on 120?

We'll probably be staying 3-4 nights. I'm debating planning at least one or two nights of backcountry backpacking/camping - do you have any recommended routes? Otherwise, what campground do you recommend?

Those are my big questions at the moment, but I'm sure I'll think of more!

Thanks!

Hi Traveling Mom,

We've never done any backcountry backpacking in Yosemite. Depending on the winter snows, the high country might or might no be open in late June. Tioga Pass usually opens in late May to early June BUT it has opened as late as July 1st!

We like to camp in Yosemite Valley because it is so close to a lot of the activity and beautiful waterfalls. We like Upper Pines campground. All the campsites in all the campgrounds in the valley are close together, so we try to get campsites on the back loop so at least we have a forest behind us.

If you plan on camping in the valley you will need to make reservations. Check here for the first available date you CAN make reservations:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/trip/camping.htm

Click here to make reservations:

http://reservations.nps.gov/

One thing I love about making reservations online in Yosemite is that you get to SELECT which campsite number you want. Before selecting, I print out the maps of each campground to see which site numbers might interest me.

We have camped at other high mountain campgrounds like Hogden Meadows and enjoyed the campgrounds but it takes a while to drive into the valley if you want to hike to the falls.

Good luck on your planning.

Utahtea

Forgot to mention about the driving route. I think I would drive in taking Hwy 120 and just for a change exit on Hwy 140.

Utahtea

Hi Traveling,

Snowmelt will dictate what packpacking you can do. Also, I trust you are aware that packing is a VERY popular activity in Yosemite and you need a permit in advance?

Personally, I like the valley, but prefer to get further away from the hoards and usually camp in the higher Toulome (SP?) meadows.

Thanks for the ideas. I've read that many of the valley campgrounds are very crowded, so it's good to know that I can try to reserve specific sites.

I read somewhere that a hike up to Little Yosemite and then up Half Dome is doable as a 1 or 2 night backpacking loop. I'm thinking we might spend a couple nights in the valley and then try that....any thoughts?

What should we try to do on our couple days in the Valley? Bridalveil Falls, I assume, but what else?

There is SO much information out there I'm glad to have some real people to give me some personal experiences!

My favorite hike is to the top of Vernal Falls on the Mist Trail. I have a medical problem and have not been able to go farther in a day, but you can also get to the top off Nevada Falls.

There is also a trail to the top of Yosemite Falls, but I've never done that one either.

Here is a list of Valley hikes.

A drive up to Glacier Point and maybe a visit to the Giant sequoias groves is worth a day trip.

Utahtea

http://www.nps.gov/yose/trip/valleyhikes.htm#fourmile

Be sure to 'Bear Proof' your camp sites as much as possible (food, etc). Of course you know what is most frequently found in bear scat? Bear Bells and Pepper Spray. Kidding aside, read up on precautions and do make noise along the trail.