Debating on a June 9 or June 16 Yosemite Adventure(probably 4 nights). This would be my 2nd time to Yosemite. We'll be flying in....Fresno or San Jose most likely. Will have an 18 year old who is very physically fit. This will be his first time flying, so this will be a totally new experience for him altogether.
My wife does not like to backpack and I am considering backpacking 1 or 2 nights, simply because I don't have many opportunities in National Parks to backpack. I have done a lot of dayhikes but just backpacked a couple of times. I have all the equipment needed. He has hiked very very little.

I also am aware that Maripossa Grove will be closed. I am debating about splitting my time between Sequoia and Yosemite. Anyone with an opinion on Merced Grove or Tuolomne Grove???

Any opinions on a 1 or 2 night backpack trip. I would even consider Halfdome as that is at some point at must do for me. I'm not getting any younger, so thinking I might do it soon.

If you want to introduce your 18 yr. old to the joys of back packing and our beautiful National Parks, I'd ask him what he'd like to do and where he'd like to hike. Let him do the research. I'd stick with Yosemite. Plenty to do there. Good luck.

Hi spiro,

I've backpacked in Yosemite a a few times. I'm sure you know you must have a permit. Getting a permit will require you to state your planned starting point and first night's campsite. After that, for other nights you can camp where you want.

What this means is that literally everyone who wants to climb Half Dome is camping in Little Yosemite Valley the night before. You would NOT believe what it's like! An elbow to elbow tent city of backpackers, complete with bears since the bears are smart and know people = food.

Have you hung your food before? It's not easy, and not completely bear proof anyway. Choose a camp site with bear boxes and ask the park office which ones they are. With the continually escalating bear problems in the Sierras, I would think now all the popular backpacking camp locations now have bear boxes!

I would recommend to you to pack out of Tenaya Lake trailhead, and camp along the route to Sunrise Lakes (if I remember correctly, it's been a long time). Don't climb Half Dome, climb Cloud's Rest, where you look DOWN on Half Dome. The second best hike I've ever done. Simply amazing. Check it out. This could be an easy 1 nt overnight trip.

Happy trails!

PS - go prepared for the mosquitoes from HELL. Full head nets. Serious DEET.

I was debating about doing Clouds Rest instead of Halfdome.

Would the mosquitoes be that bad in June? I didn't notice them at all when we were there before. We just did dayhikes and stayed in a cabin tho.

Of course the mosquitoes vary a bit with the weather and exact timing. My two experiences with nightmare mosquitoes were both at the Fourth of July weekend timeframe.

Perhaps if the severe drought continues next year, mosquitoes won't even be a problem all summer! Just go prepared and you won't be sorry!

Climbing Half Dome is. A real freeway of people. Take some good broken in gloves with good griping material on the palms. Also take some blister treatment, moleskin or something. Most people get blisters from gripping the chains.

Definitely recommend Clouds Rest!