Length 21 miElevation gain 3917 ftRoute type Out & back Arrive early to avoid delays at entrance stations. This section is a little gnarly, as one mis-step and you’re in for a nasty tumble. The ranger station consists of three canvas-wall tents, an outdoor cooking area which has a … Seasonal amenities include ice skating, bike rentals, swimming pool, rock climbing and guided hikes. This section is a little gnarly, as one mis-step and you’re in for a nasty tumble. Yosemite Valley can be crowded, especially during the summer and on weekends. Yosemite is closer than you think! This was evident as we made our way up the Mist trail towards Little Yosemite Valley (LYV). After the first night at camp, make your way to Half Dome via the Mist Trail. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. The hikers first follow the Mist Trail, then pass Nevada Falls and enter Little Yosemite Valley. I have done like 10 days of camping with a 65L. First things first. 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. The river is the only water source for the area; do not wash dishes or clothing in the river. Recommend making this an extended backcountry trip to get away from the crowds. But the real amenity of Little Yosemite Valley was a short stroll down a dirt path, past the campground, past the restrooms, and into the crystal clear waters of the Merced River. Set up camp right next to a peaceful river you can dunk into after a long trek and of course a nice water source. Hike Half Dome as early as you possibly can. Once you get back to your camp you can stay another night and rest up or just pack up and head back to Upper Pines. It was 7 miles … 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. Yosemite is closer than you think! If Half Dome permits are available and Half Dome is reasonably part of your itinerary, you will receive a permit that includes them. Little Yosemite Valley Campgrounds is minimally developed and depends on the cooperation of campers to to keep it clean, safe, and functioning properly. The initial portion of the trail will usually be populated with day hikers going up to the falls. The weight of the climbing shoes was worth it for safety. This section of the Upper Merced River has historically been closed to boaters. Little Yosemite is a 2.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Sunol, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. Heading up Half Dome is a 7.2 mile round trip from Little Yosemite Valley, with another 2,700 ft of elevation gain. If you'd like a Half Dome permit included in your backpacking trip, be sure to specify when making a reservation, or a first-come, first-serve wilderness permit request. Everyone staying in LYV Campground needs to take appropriate measures to ensure no bears are attracted by food in the open. Length 2.2 miElevation gain 196 ftRoute type Out & back Never use any soap (even if natural or biodegradable) in the river. Little Yosemite Valley Campgrounds is minimally developed and depends on the cooperation of campers to to keep it clean, safe, and functioning properly. The way down may be a bit nerve wracking for some since you are indeed looking down. Take it slow if you need to and please be mindful of folks coming back down. Outhouse at Little Yosemite Valley campground. Wilderness permits for the trails leading to Little Yosemite Valley are the most difficult to obtain, and a wilderness permit reservation is strongly recommended. This trail to our Left, to the South is the first link to the trail coming down along the Merced River from Merced Lake. The hike takes you along Tenaya Creek, Mirror Lake, and a boulder-filled canyon. Potable Water 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. Look for the Happy Isles Trail head and begin your trek towards Little Yosemite Valley (3.8 miles). Great overnight site with direct access to Half Dome for a next-day hike. Little Yosemite Valley is also part of a 211-mile through-hike to Mt. Current conditions at YOSEMITE VALLEY NEAR YOSEMITE VILLAGE 1NNW (YYV) (YYVC1) Lat: 37.74972°NLon: 119.58944°WElev: 3998ft. If you don't get a pass via lottery just go to the Yosemite Valley visitor center, tell the clerk you are backpacking to Little Yosemite Valley and that you would like to hike up Half Dome. Under the East Bay Regional Park District's multi-use land management policy, cattle continue to graze in the 6,859-acre wilderness. Not a problem this year. Camping is not permitted between Yosemite Valley and Little Yosemite Valley. Overall this is a great overnight trip for an intermediate backpacker. It was about 3.5 miles from the campground to the top of Half Dome – all uphill. adventures and follow local regulations. Little Yosemite Valley is a brief interlude between the steep climb up from Yosemite Valley that led there, and the steep climb up to Sunrise High Sierra Camp laying below the West end of the Cathedral Range. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Little Yosemite Valley is a smaller glacial valley upstream in the Merced River drainage from the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. We beat the crowds and the heat and were able to appreciate the unbelievable stars and sunrise. That is absolutely ridiculous for an overnight trip. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. The Trail You'll hike more... Backpack to Little Yosemite Valley Campsite and Hike Half Dome, Hike to Hidden Falls (aka Tenaya Creek Falls). The Ahwahnee offers a gift shop with a focus on local artisans, a decadent sweet shop, a comfortable bar and a heated outdoor swimming po... To thru hike the JMT is probably one of the sickest trips to do! Little Yosemite Valley, situated between Half Dome, Liberty Cap and the Cascade Cliffs, and straddling the Merced River, is within close proximity of the national park's main valley. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. The yellow line marks the ascent from Nevada Fall to the top of Half Dome. Store only food products in this shared space and don't be shy to remind other backpackers to use the bear locker if they are leaving food or used dishes out. Little Yosemite Valley is the most popular area in the Yosemite Wilderness, mainly because it provides easy access to Half Dome. Little Yosemite Valley is a flat valley at 6200' along the Merced River, above Nevada Falls and upstream from the main Yosemite Valley. Food lockers are communal, so do not store non-food items and do not put padlocks on the lockers. This wasn’t too big a deal since we had decided to go with day packs allowing us to travel at a much quicker pace. Using the Mist trail cut about 1.5 miles off the distance to LYV where we had camped the year before. The Little Yosemite Valley backpackers camp is located along the trail veering Left from the point where the John Muir Trail lands in the corner of Little Yosemite Valley. Scatter strained dishwater away from the campground and river. Do not burn trash. I am doing this trip with a 34L (still carrying all my equipment including sleeping bag, pad, tent, cookware, food and clothing for 2 nights). There is no potable water at this campground but the Merced River is close by and the water is drinkable once treated by boiling, with a giardia-rated filter or iodine. Bus, drive • 5h 21m. top of page. Everyone staying in LYV Campground needs to take appropriate measures to ensure no bears are attracted by food in the open. Today, camping, picnicking, hiking … Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your The pit-style bathrooms at the top of Nevada Fall are the last man-made toilets on the route unless you detour to the Little Yosemite Valley campground. A permit is now required for day hikers and backpackers hiking to Half Dome. (Read more about proper food storage or what do to if you see a bear.) Campers are allowed to burn dead and down wood but are asked to search for pieces smaller than their forearm and never burn trash. I know it sounds miserable waking up that early but it was 100% worth it. Little Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park: Address, Little Yosemite Valley Reviews: 3.5/5 Anyone who is interested in visiting Little Yosemite Valley can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. The day trip is a real grind as you are speculating. The Merced River meanders through the 3.5 mi long flat valley, draining out over Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall before emptying into the main Yosemite Valley. The first camping available is at the Little Yosemite Valley Campground. Overview This is a moderate one way trail to Little Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. Play full screen, enjoy Puzzle of the Day and thousands more. The campsite is large and incredibly beautiful with 30-40 first come first serve sites set amidst the trees, alongside Sunrise Creek and just a couple minute walk from the Merced River. Food Lockers We reached the shoulder, and climb the series of steep switchbacks with big steps carved into the granite. I blew her away. 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. We’ll set up a basecamp here amid the soaring glaciated granite cliffs and the dominating south face of Half Dome to explore this remarkable region. Get the monthly weather forecast for Yosemite Valley, CA, including daily high/low, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. Heading up Half Dome is a 7.2 mile round trip from Little Yosemite Valley, with another 2,700 ft of elevation gain. (A permit is now required for day hikers and backpackers hiking to Half Dome.). There are 3 ways to get from Reno to Little Yosemite Valley by bus or car. Wilderness permits for the trails leading to Little Yosemite Valley are the most difficult to obtain, and a wilderness permit reservation is strongly recommended. The Little Yosemite Valley (LYV) is a backcountry ranger station located about four and a half miles from the bustle of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of approximately 6,000 feet. Arrive early to avoid delays at entrance stations. As I climbed, the views just got more incredible. But the real amenity of Little Yosemite Valley was a short stroll down a dirt path, past the campground, past the restrooms, and into the crystal clear waters of the Merced River. We reached the shoulder, and climb the series of steep switchbacks with big steps carved into the granite. Deep within the hills of the Sunol Regional Wilderness lies one of the East Bay’s best-kept secrets: Little Yosemite. Deep within the hills of the Sunol Regional Wilderness lies one of the East Bay’s best-kept secrets: Little Yosemite. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. We were the only people on the trail and the first people up Half Dome about an hour before sunrise. You may apply for a wilderness permit reservation 24 weeks (168 days) prior to your trip through fax or phone. Little Yosemite Valley is displayed on the Half Dome USGS quad topo map. Continue for a couple more miles, pass Nevada Falls, and follow the Mist Trail along side the Merced River for another mile and a half until you hit the backpackers campgrounds in Little Yosemite Valley. This is definitely the way to do Half Dome! 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. The 4.3-mile trail from main Yosemite Valley to Little Yosemite Valley has 2,065 feet of elevation gain, is scenic and popular. Please explore responsibly! This means if you want a walk up permit for Friday night, you need to get in line at the Valley Wilderness Center early in the morning on Thursday for the 11 am release. Little Yosemite is a 2.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Sunol, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. For the past century, however, the land known today as Sunol Wildereness Regional Preserve was used almost exclusively as ranch land. Great for photo... Getting There Starting in Yosemite Valley, head to the Snow Creek trailhead just past Muir Meadows. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! I used rock climbing shoes and my normally much-faster friend used hiking boots. We ended up waking up at 1:30 am to start the hike up to Half Dome from Little Yosemite Valley. Little Yosemite Valley is a flat valley at 6200' along the Merced River, above Nevada Falls and upstream from the main Yosemite Valley. Now, due to the collaborative efforts of the National Park Service and American Whitewater, the new Merced River plan that was adopted in 2014 allows boaters to register and get wilderness permits to run the headwaters of the Merced through Little Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. We’ll set up a basecamp here amid the soaring glaciated granite cliffs and the dominating south face … Little Yosemite Valley is the most popular area in the Yosemite Wilderness, mainly because it provides easy access to Half Dome. After a kneecap-busting, ball-of-the-foot-breaking descent of nearly 4,000 feet, the Merced looked like Shangri-La. Standard JMT Miles Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley Miles and Elevations . The Valley provides access to nearby destinations such as the back side of Half Dome, Clouds This hike is absolutely amazing. Little Yosemite Valley is in the Valleys category for Mariposa County in the state of California. Most climbers only visit … They will likely give you a pass. At GP, the Panorama Trail eventually joins up with the JMT near Nevada Falls and then heads via a relatively flat trail about 1 mile further to the Little Yosemite Valley campsite. Panorama Trail to Little Yosemite Valley is a 21 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Yosemite Valley, California that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. River water is available nearby, at the Merced River. After a kneecap-busting, ball-of-the-foot-breaking descent of nearly 4,000 feet, the Merced looked like Shangri-La. The hike-in campground here is a little under 4 miles (6.5 km) from the trailhead in Yosemite Valley and about 3.5 miles (5.5 km) from the summit of Half Dome. A composting toilet is available for use near the campground. 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). Perfect for filtering water and dunking your head after the long hike up Half Dome. You may collect dead and down firewood to burn (try to limit yourself to wood smaller than your wrist). Length 2.2 miElevation gain 196 ftRoute type Out & back Day 1: Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley (to mile marker 4.5 on JMT) After planning and thinking about this trip for so long, it was finally time to start! Day 1: Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley (to mile marker 4.5 on JMT) After planning and thinking about this trip for so long, it was finally time to start! Little Yosemite Valley is displayed on the Half Dome USGS quad topo map. Great way to experience Yosemite. Yosemite Valley (/ joʊˈsɛmɪti / yoh-SEM-it-ee) is a glacial valley in Yosemite National Park in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of Central California. Consider using YARTS buses which connect to Sonora, Merced, Fresno, and Mammoth Lakes. 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. Little Yosemite Valley is probably one of the most popular back country destinations in the park. Liberty Cap is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, California, United States which lies at the extreme northwestern margin of Little Yosemite Valley. After about a 3 mile hike you will find yourself at the base of Half Dome where you will see two parallel cables pretty much going vertical. There's a sweet spot in thru hiking ... Mirror Lake is a very popular spot in the Yosemite Valley and definitely a must see to check off your explore list. Little Yosemite Valley lies upstream from Nevada Fall, at an elevation of 6,100 feet (1,860 meters). We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. This is a moderate one way trail to Little Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. It features the Merced River that meanders and stretches for 3.5 mi (5.6 km), draining Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall and dumping water into the Yosemite Valley. This article is overall very helpful. Most years, this trail is still closed in March due to icy trail conditions. Check out the view at Glacier Point before you do Half Dome, it's really cool to see where you're headed before you go there. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Most climbers only visit … The only thing I would argue with is a 70L backpack. Little Yosemite Valley puzzle in Waterfalls jigsaw puzzles on TheJigsawPuzzles.com. Following the Mist Trail, hikers climb past Vernal and then Nevada falls before emerging into Little Yosemite Valley. Potable (drinking) water is not available at the campground. Whitney. The 4.3-mile trek from Yosemite Valley up to Little Yosemite Valley is among the most spectacular and popular adventures in the Sierra Nevada. Enjoy the site, but not for too long since you still have a ways to go, the views only get better, and the crowds smaller. The campground is minimally developed and there are no check-in or check-out procedures. I got up early and packed up my things as quickly as I could, as I needed to get to Yosemite Lodge in time to catch my shuttle bus to Glacier Point. This route is the most popular backpacking trip in the park, and therefore the permits are hardest to get. It is situated along the Merced River, about 4 miles from the floor of Yosemite Valley. Bears frequent the Little Yosemite Valley area, so be careful with your food, toiletries, and trash. Consider using YARTS buses which connect to Sonora, Merced, Fresno, and Mammoth Lakes. I have done half dome both in a day trip and used Little Yosemite Valley as a base camp (and have stayed overnight on half dome!). If you have a wilderness permit for Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley or Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley, you must camp in Little Yosemite Valley campground on the first night (and may camp there on subsequent nights) of your hike. 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