Jim, that’s an area I cover in my e-guide “The Best Backpacking Trip in Yosemite,” including extending that in a loop over Half Dome and Clouds Rest. And I can help you plan that trip. See my Custom Trip Planning page to learn how.

Thanks for the comment and keep in touch.

Thanks, Barbara. I’ll do my best!

Happy new year, Lisa, thanks for the nice compliment, I appreciate you following my blog. Check out these tips on a first backpacking trip in Yosemite: https://thebigoutsideblog.com/ask-me-where-to-backpack-first-time-in-yosemite/.

See also the suggestions in this blog post: https://thebigoutsideblog.com/ask-me-where-can-i-hike-in-yosemite-in-late-fall/.

You’ll see those ideas are shorter variations on the trip I wrote about in this story (above).

If you’d like my direct help with your trip planning, see my Ask Me page for details on how I handle those requests (https://thebigoutsideblog.com/ask-me/).

Good luck!

Hi Lauren, thanks so much for the nice comment. I know just how beautiful a hike you must have had, and I’m not surprised you describe it as the best, most challenging backpacking trip you’ve ever taken. I think I’ve gotten around a lot, and I consider it one of my top 10 best ever (https://thebigoutsideblog.com/my-top-10-favorite-backpacking-trips/).

Congrats. I hope you find more trips at my blog that you want to take. Keep in touch.

I came across this post a few months ago and knew immediately this was the trip I wanted to do in Yosemite – my first time visiting the park. About two weeks ago I completed an 85mi loop (slightly longer then yours as the only permit available was starting/ending in Happy Isles) that was without a doubt, the most awe inspiring, challenging and beautiful backpacking trip I have ever taken. Thank you for this wonderful write up and being the catalyst for a trip of a lifetime.

Hi Hilary, that’s great, have a fun trip. It’s a beautiful hike. Thanks for commenting.

Have you seen this story of mine yet? https://thebigoutsideblog.com/are-you-ready-for-that-new-outdoors-adventure-5-questions-to-ask-yourself/

That said, the mosquitoes in Yosemite in mid-summer are thick. So for many years, I’ve considered late August to mid-September the ideal time to backpack anywhere in the High Sierra, both for few bugs and afternoons not as hot as mid-summer. The waterfalls usually aren’t as robust by then, but they will probably still be flowing pretty well later this summer. Post-Labor Day is a bit less busy, too. Great weather can last through September and well into October, actually, but there’s also a chance an early snowfall could trash your trip. I’d only plan on a fall trip if you can go there on short notice, with a good weather forecast. If you have to travel a distance and plan time off in advance, go in that late August to mid-September timeframe.

Good luck, you’re planning a fantastic trip.

Thanks Eric. This trip or the one I write about next would be an excellent consolation prize if you can’t do the JMT.

Thanks Carl, glad you enjoyed it.