Composting Toilet If you are reasonable fit for hiking and take care to get acclimated to the altitude, it can be a joy every step of the way (with the possible exception of the long sandy level stretch through Little Yosemite Valley).I did it … Insider's note: Little Yosemite is a small piece of the Sunol Regional Wilderness, which covers 6,858 acres. Drawn with pen and pencil, etc' (11210503504).jpg 2,896 × 1,937; 1.33 MB. If you would like to camp in a dispersed Wilderness setting, you must be at least two miles past the campground (at or beyond either Moraine Dome or the Half Dome/John Muir Trail junction). You may collect dead and down firewood to burn (try to limit yourself to wood smaller than your wrist). Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. Wilderness permits for the trails leading to Little Yosemite Valley are the most difficult to obtain, and a wilderness permit reservation is strongly recommended. Mono Meadow to Little Yosemite Valley campground. Liberty Cap is situated 1 mile west of Little Yosemite Valley Campground. At the top of Nevada Fall cross the bridge and continue down the trail. I used to think hiking downhill was much easier than hiking uphill. Download a free copy of the official Yosemite National Park map before your Yosemite vacation. Hi All, My girlfriend and I have a backcountry permit for Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley in a few weeks. You do need a wilderness permit to camp in Little Yosemite Valley, but you don't need a campground reservation - if you've got the wilderness permit, you're allowed to camp here. Better to have more water than less, in my opinion. The campgrounds cover a good chunk of the 700,000 acres of Yosemite National Park, and that means that campgrounds are seriously spread out. Little Yosemite Valley Campgrounds is minimally developed and depends on the cooperation of campers to to keep it clean, safe, and functioning properly. Near Little Yosemite Valley campground where we filtered water the first night and morning. Little Yosemite Valley campground is a great place to refill your water along the Merced River. Jan 8, 2016 - Different maps of Yosemite National Park. Due to current health guidelines, only Upper Pines Campground is open. Tour of Little Yosemite Valley backpackers campground in Yosemite National Park. 7 miles (11 km) round trip from Little Yosemite Valley campground (part of the yellow line) Half Dome Elevation: 8,846 feet (2,696 meters) Total Elevation Gain: 4,800 feet (1,600 meters) from Yosemite Valley The red line marks the route of the Mist Trail, which will take you (if … River water is available nearby, at the Merced River. The trail to Merced Lake continues along the river through a pine forest for the next few miles. (A permit is now required for day hikers and backpackers hiking to Half Dome.) It’s not especially scenic and definitely not private, but it was the closest starting point to Half Dome and it had amenities. Wawona Campground is closed for sewer system repair. 15 November 2020 at 06:00-12:00: Clear sky, Temperature 1, 0 mm, Light air, 1 m/s from east Ah, to be in my 20s again. A wilderness permit is required to stay at these campgrounds. Camping is not permitted on top of Half Dome or at Lost Lake. 1 review of Little Yosemite Valley Campground "Cute little camping area in the backcountry, but not *too* far in the backcountry. Buy the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map for Yosemite at REI.com. Check back here for updates. A wilderness permit is required to stay at these campgrounds. Campgrounds are also available outside Yosemite Park. Wawona and Glacier Point. 15 November 2020 at 06:00-12:00: Clear sky, Temperature 1, 0 mm, Light air, 1 m/s from east Our plan for our first day on the JMT is a fairly short climb to Little Yosemite Valley, where we will drop our packs and setup camp for the night. This closure will be in effect until local conditions change. Restrooms at Little Yosemite Valley Campground, Yosemite National Park, California The majority of park visitors spend their time in Yosemite Valley. historical campground opening and closing dates. The prime hiking season is late spring through fall. Public showers are not available in Yosemite at this time. As of noon on Monday, December 7, 2020, all park campgrounds are closed based on guidance from state and local public health officials and in compliance with California's regional Stay-At-Home order. Backcountry campgrounds at Little Yosemite Valley and near the High Sierra camps (Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise, Merced Lake, and Vogelsang) are not part of the campground reservation system. This mainly affects the most popular trailheads that fill up quickly each morning, such as Little Yosemite Valley trailheads, Lyell Canyon, Cathedral Lakes, among others. Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley. 08/07/2017 Andrew H. Andrew H. Cute little camping area in the backcountry, but not *too* far in the backcountry. Wilderness permit information, plus other resources. Little Yosemite Valley Campground Brochure/map: (510) 562-7275, ext. A flat final mile brings us to our campsite in the Little Yosemite Valley backpacker’s camp. Report inappropriate content . Yosemite Creek supplies the water for the famous Yosemite … Backcountry campgrounds at Little Yosemite Valley and near the High Sierra camps (Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise, Merced Lake, and Vogelsang) are not part of the campground reservation system. The trail offers a number of activity options. If you have a permit for Happy Isles to Merced Lake or Glacier Point to Illilouette, you can not camp in the Little Yosemite Valley area on the first night of your hike. Most restaurants are located in Yosemite Valley so you may want to download the Yosemite Valley detail map in addition to the main map. For … Your food and related items must be stored in a closed and latched food locker or bear canister unless you're within arm's reach of the food. Need a Detailed Topographic Map for Yosemite National Park? Camping is not allowed between Yosemite Valley and Little Yosemite Valley, so you have to set up camp a minimum of two miles past the campground. It is situated along the Merced River, about 4 miles from the floor of Yosemite Valley. Here's my 4600 word trip report of my May 8-10, 2009 trip to Little Yosemite Valley and beyond. Potable (drinking) water is not available at the campground. Nevada Fall to Little Yosemite Valley, 1 mile. Campgrounds are also available outside Yosemite … Arrive early to avoid delays at entrance stations. See Yosemite Transportation.Stores, restaurants, a visitor center, and other services are available. Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. 1 Reviews. Little Yosemite Valley Campground [41600 - 42699] John Muir Dr Coarsegold CA 93614. Photo: Mudflattop, CC BY-SA 3.0. Hydrogeo. Treat river water with a giardia-rated filter, by boiling, or with iodine. In the valley use the free shuttle to get around. A steep uphill hike leads to Quarter Dome where rangers will check that your wilderness permit includes Half Dome. Little Yosemite Valley is a smaller glacial valley upstream in the Merced River drainage from the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park.The Merced River meanders through the 3.5 mi (5.6 km) long flat valley, draining out over Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall before emptying into the main Yosemite Valley. This means at or beyond either Moraine Dome or the Half Dome/John Muir Trail junction. Bears frequent the Little Yosemite Valley area, so be careful with your food, toiletries, and trash. Reservations are required, and capacity is limited. When away from the campground, be sure to bury your waste at least six inches deep and at least 100 feet from any water source and trail. Check our FAQ page for more information. (Closing dates refer to the day the campground closes; the night before that is the last night to camp.) This trail goes by North Pines Campground, Valley Horse Stables, Nature Center at Happy Isles, Sierra Point, Vernal Fall Footbridge, Vernal Fall, Emerald Pool, Silver Apron, Clark Point, and Nevada Fall. End by hiking down to the Valley. The Happy Isles trailhead was a 15-minute walk from the campground, through drive-in campgrounds. This is a very popular camping spot and will be a striking difference compared to the rest of the trip because you are getting close to the valley where all the tourists take their day hikes. Camping is not permitted between Yosemite Valley and Little Yosemite Valley. This is my first trip trying a bunch of new lightweight gear. Most of the 75 campsites at Yosemite Creek Campground are close to Yosemite Creek. Route details, maps, photos. (Read more about proper food storage or what do to if you see a bear.) The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and nature trips and is best used from July until September. Separate arrangements may be made for overnight camping at Del Valle Regional Park (outside the Ohlone Wilderness and at the north end of the Ohlone Trail) by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2. I'm planning a half dome hike at the end of Sept. RVs and trailers are not allowed at this tents-only, primitive campground. This trail goes by North Pines Campground, Valley Horse Stables, Nature Center at Happy Isles, Sierra Point, Vernal Fall Footbridge, Vernal Fall, Emerald Pool, Silver Apron, Clark Point, and Nevada Fall. ... out of the Backcountry with their expensive freeze dried food no longer going to feed the ravenous many black bears of Little Yosemite Valley! A composting toilet is available for use near the campground. (A permit is now required for day hikers and backpackers hiking to Half Dome.). A permit is now required for day hikers and backpackers hiking to Half Dome. As I was walking towards the trailhead, I noticed that I hadn’t downloaded the topo layer in my Guthooks app. Today, camping, picnicking, hiking … This trip begins in the incomparable Yosemite Valley and follows the wild Merced River up into one of Yosemite’s most beautiful areas, Little Yosemite Valley. View fullsize . Below is information about each of the campgrounds in Yosemite. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . Gearlist is here. (Closing dates refer to the day the campground closes; the night before that is the last night to camp.). From there, we slack-pack to Half Dome and back. The campground is minimally developed and there are no check-in or check-out procedures. You can see Half Dome half-hidden by trees in the background. If you have a permit for another trailhead, you will have to camp elsewhere your first night, but you can stay in Little Yosemite Valley on subsequent nights. The 4.3-mile trail from main Yosemite Valley to Little Yosemite Valley has 2,065 feet of elevation gain, is scenic and popular. From Little Yosemite Valley, the hike to the summit of Half Dome is 4.1 miles. 9.8 Miles 15.7 KM Point to Point. Fires are allowed in the two communal campfire rings just outside the campground. Length 6.8 mi Elevation gain 2719 ft Route type Out & back. The trail to Merced Lake continues along the river through a pine forest for the next few miles. 413 of 'Granite Crags ... (An account of travels in California.) The map includes trails, trailheads, points of interest, campgrounds, geologic history and much more printed on … Yosemite Valley. 194 of 'United States Pictures. Yosemite Valley has the closest backpackers campground. Half Dome isn’t officially part of the JMT, but we’re so close it seems a shame not to include it. Pack out your trash. I've read up on the permitting process but it's hard to get Happy Isles or Glacier Point to Half Dome permits. The use of bear canisters and bear boxes has changed that. … Water may not be available along the way, so carry plenty. Harrison Map Sheet 13 GPX file. Liberty Cap is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, California, United States which lies at the extreme northwestern margin of Little Yosemite Valley. The first camping available is at the Little Yosemite Valley Campground. This location makes it popular for those wanting to continue on towards Half Dome or east along the Merced River towards Merced Lake. Return via the John Muir Trail. Food Lockers Venture220642. I'm sure I read that the first night of any stay has to be in a campground. I also used to think I could hike just fine without a pair of hiking poles, which I considered the requisite sign of bad knees and getting old. Yosemite > Maps > Campgrounds > Yosemite National Park Campground Maps [ General Yosemite Maps | Yosemite Valley Maps | Wawona & Mariposa Grove Maps | Tioga Road, Tuolumne Meadows, & High Sierra Maps | Hotel Maps | Campground Maps | Winter Maps | Historic Maps | Disclaimer] Only maps of campgrounds inside Yosemite Park are shown. Mono Meadow has a lot more open dates but as a beginning overnight hiker, how difficult is that route? This map details our journey from Happy Isles to the Little Yosemite Valley campground. If you're an experienced backpacker, you might consider hiking in from Tioga Road (Sunrise Lakes trailhead) to Cloud's Rest, on to a campsite of your choice (don't need to stay in Little Yosemite Valley), and then summit Half Dome on the morning of the second day. But once we connected with the John Muir Trail, it was smooth sailing to the Little Yosemite Valley campground. Little Yosemite Valley Campground [41600 - 42699] John Muir Dr Coarsegold CA 93614. This Yosemite map shows most major park roads with notes about seasonal closings. No other permit or reservation is required to camp at Little Yosemite Valley. Dates are tentative and subject to change. With photos. Sometimes I forget how much technology we have at our hands. Scatter strained dishwater away from the campground and river. See Yosemite Transportation.Stores, restaurants, a visitor center, and other services are available. Print/PDF Map; Share; More; Yosemite Creek Trail is a 12 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Yosemite Valley, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. For the past century, however, the land known today as Sunol Wildereness Regional Preserve was used almost exclusively as ranch land. Both lead the final mile to the campground at Little Yosemite Valley. Use of these maps is subject to the disclaimer below. 7,328' 2,234 m High ... 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