Diego I just watched this video and thoroughly enjoyed it. Your camera work and commentary were top notch, especially the short glimpse of the sunset and night sky from Clouds Rest. Great choice camping there despite the possibility of another cold night! My backpacking days are over due to arthritis and chronic back issues so I love watching these wonderful videos by you and others in the High Sierra. My wife and I hiked Half Dome from Glacier Point on the Panorama Trail and spent the night on top in 1980 when you could still do that. So we did the cables with full packs (but no tent) and the cables were not easy, especially going down. My wife was more nervous than me but she conquered the Subdome and descending the cables in the morning sun with a top heavy load on her back. We're in our 70s now, living in the San Luis Obispo area, and glad we did all those hikes and camping trips that gave us such wonderful memories. I admire you for going out alone and with minimal supplies. Thanks again for a trip through the Sierra I love and our favorite national park that we have visited dozens of times.
Steve, I'm jealous and impressed by what you and your wife did. Sounds like you've had a life filled with amazing adventures and memories. I aspire to be like that when I'm older. Thanks for all the praise on this video, I really appreciate it!
Congratulations! Thanks for taking us up Half Dome. You picked the perfect time to climb it. I’ve seen photos where it’s a solid stream of people all the way up to the top. The Half Dome ascent is a hike I have no desire to do so your video is the closest I’ll ever be. It was thrilling to watch! I really appreciate your honesty in expressing how you are feeling; your doubts, your challenges, your exhaustion, your elation. This can save lives as anyone watching this video and wanting to hike it too will be better prepared for the challenges and not go out in the wilderness thinking it’s a walk in the park. I love your Google Earth projection of the trail. For me, the only thing I would change is to not have human music during the hike. I don’t mind it at the beginning during the preview or during the drive to and from the trailhead but during the hike itself, I want to hear Nature’s music; the bird song, water cascading, the wind through the trees, the crunch of boots on the trail, even the buzz of mosquitoes! Nature doesn’t need any ‘improvements’. I usually pass by RUclips channels that play music during the hike but I love your work so much that I decided to subscribed. I did my first solo backpack trip this year (I’m a 69 yo woman) It was awesome. Had two more trips planned but Hurricane Hilary came in the day before I was to leave my base camp. Lucky I didn’t get caught up in the high passes. Will do them another time. Thanks for another great hiking adventure.
Fellow San Diegan here! I just back country camped solo for the first time in Yosemite (at Sunrise lakes) this week! It was a challenge and a confidence booster for me to feel comfortable solo backpacking in the future. I filmed my trip and will be editing it over the next week or so and eventually posting it on RUclips. Your video was very inspiring and well done! I’ll definitely check out your other videos.
What an epic journey! And your camera footage was superb! Loved how you captured each segment of the hike, including your campsites. I loved the starry night sky you got on Clouds Rest. I could feel your exhaustion when you did Half Dome. I did it as a day hike and almost gave up halfway up the sub dome, but I persevered, then had to rush back down to the Valley before dark fell because I had no headlamp or jacket. I made it back to camp at 8:15 pm, just as the sunlight disappeared. I'm doing the hike again this summer (2023) but I'm hiking down from the Panorama Trail, spending the night in LYV, hiking Half Dome the next day, coming back to LYV to spend a second night, then hike back down to the Valley. Better than a one day death march😂
Haha yeah I've also done it in one day and definitely prefer to do it as part of a backpacking trip. Camping in LYV is the way to go! That way you can get to Half Dome before all the day hikers and enjoy it more. Enjoy your trip to Yosemite and thanks for watching!
Diego, wow, totally amazing & epic!! Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley, alone, in the middle of the oppressive summer heat, in 5 days is inspiring & painful all rolled into one. This is not your typical multi day backpacking hike. Cathedral & Sunrise Lakes are beautiful, camping under the stars on Clouds Rest was majestic & impressive. Summoning the mental & physical strength to conquer Half Dome on a fish & water diet, well, that’s just plain nuts! Living in San Diego & having done the Yosemite drive too many times to count, I can appreciate how difficult the, one way, 7+ hour drive is. Congratulations & thank you for taking the extra time & effort to film this epic journey and sharing it with us mere mortals.
Sir Diego from San Diego, you are superman man! My favorite statement of yours is I AM A MINIMALIST however DONT FORGET YOUR WATER! Thank you for showing us this amazing video!
I'm doing a 4 day in Yosemite in September and found your vid while looking up hikes. Really enjoyed the ride. Thanks for getting me stoked for my trip! Commentary was honest and great. I really appreciated that. I'll be starting a workout for mine a couple months in advance. I'm not doing half dome, but I'll be doing some gnarly climbs. You convinced me I should train for it haha. Still cant decide if I"m going solo or with a buddy. After watching your vid, I'm leaning more towards solo. Looking forward to more content! Greetings from SF.
Great video, I really enjoyed it. I like and respect your honest narration. It would be easy, once you are home, to edit out all the parts where you had a little self doubt and make the video look like you are Rambo. But you made it real, admitting to the brief period losing the trail and admitting that the altitude can tire you out. Good camera work! Thanks for taking us along!
I really felt like I was hanging with you on that epic trip. My palms even got a little sweaty watching you traverse over the spine of that mountain and going up half dome. It's something I'd like to do. Really well done. Thanks for sharing.
I can’t believe you did that without a proper backpack - that’s intense! I’m impressed!! Great job with your editing and commentary. My favorite quick overnight (or lazy 2 night) is glacier point > halfdome > mist trail down to Yosemite valley. You killed it, I’d have problems keeping up with you! Haha
Nice job, well done. Kudos on actually camping at Clouds. And to almost have to have the park to yourself, during the pandemic. Very special and historic. My first 7 day solo in the Rockies is in my heart today. Love having Yosemite so close (four hours) from me in Northern California. Was there in January 2023 between snowstorms. ☮
Hey man! Really enjoyed this video! Yosemite looks an amazing beautiful place..would really love to go there. I'm not usually scared of heights but geez as u were climbing up half dome I was starting to feel weird! Its sooo steep! lol. It looked worth it once u were up there....the views look out of this world!
Thanks for the advice! And by the way, you pointed out that you didn't really prepare much, hence the soreness and how you were extra cold due to not bringing more clothes. It makes me realize that I'm probably overthinking this trip! It looks like you didn't bring much food (you only had one tuna packet for dinner?). How much did your backpack end up weighing? Did you wish you brought more food or was the supply you had sufficient? Oh yeah, one other thing... From Cloud's Rest, you went to LYV and set up camp, and from there you started to journey to Half Dome next day. I've read accounts of people setting up camp at the Cloud's Rest/JMT junction, and thus being that much closer to Half Dome to start hike. Curious if you had to do over again, would you have still set up camp at LYV or would you have saved some time by setting up cam at Cloud's Rest/JMT junction?
Yeah don't overthink it. Just enjoy the trip and you'll be fine. I don't remember how much my pack weighed (maybe 30lbs?) but I did have enough food. The problem was that I ate the exact same food every single day (meal2go bars, honey stinger waffles, beef jerky, and safe catch salmon) and it wasn't very tasty (not such a big deal for me though). I think I would still camp at LYV because I liked being really close to the Merced River, having a bear locker at camp, and having a toilet nearby. That's just my personal preference though.
Great video! I'm gearing up for my first solo trip as well in the coming weeks. Just waiting on the new equipment to arrive. Regarding the cooker, getting a portable gas stove and a lightweight pan can make all the difference, some HOT beverage or dinner can make all the difference for the not-so-warm nights. But amazing that you just had lake water, I'm not sure if I would be willing to do that 4 days :)
Cool video, Diego! I’m going to do this same route on 7/11, but I think I have an extra day. I’m trying to decide if I want to leave my vehicle in the Valley or up on Tioga Road near Tuolumne Meadows.
Thanks for watching! I left my car in Tuolomne Meadows because that's what worked best for me with the YARTS shuttle schedule. If I were to do this same route again I would prefer to leave my car in the Valley. Enjoy your trip!
How do you sleep in a tent alone in the pitch black dark wilderness ? That freaks me out. I want to do the backpacking in and see this magnificent mountain range. I need to go with someone with experience. I’d love to back pack from devils postpile to Yosemite valley.
You should definitely go for it! Even though this was my first time camping alone in the wilderness I really wasn't that intimidated by it because I've already done so many things in my life where I've been pushed outside of my comfort zone, so I'm already used to that feeling. I would recommend you take it easy at first. As you said, going with someone more experienced would be a good idea and then you can gradually build up the courage and experience to try it out on your own. Once you do, you'll realize it's not that freaky and instead is a very rewarding and amazing experience. Hope this helps and good luck!
Hello Diego great video! thank you so much for sharing! I will the exact same trail from Cathedral lake trailhead to yosemite valley. so I saw you camped at Clouds rest - do you know any other place to camp around that area with water? I've heard of sunrise creek - is that a good place to camp ? I'm planning to do this in 3 - first day from cathedral trailhead to somewhere near clouds rest, second day from clouds rest to half dome and back, third day from clouds rest camping area to yosemite valley. you good this is good?
Hello Diane, there are good spots to camp next to Sunrise Creek right around where the Clouds Rest trail intersects with the JMT, coming down from Clouds Rest on your way to Half Dome. I think Sunrise Creek is the closest water source to Clouds Rest so if you want to camp next to water that would be your best bet. I think your plan is doable although that first day will be a really long and strenuous hike all the way from Cathedral Lake Trailhead to Clouds Rest. Maybe you are in excellent shape and its fine with you but I know I would be struggling a lot. I would personally recommend maybe camping at one of the Sunrise Lakes the first night, second day hike up to Clouds Rest then camp by Sunrise Creek, third day hike up Half Dome then down to the valley. But if you want to stick to your plan, go ahead. Thanks for watching and good luck! Enjoy your trip!
@@diegogomezcana thank you so much! I think you plan sounds perfect and will allow time for me to rest before hiking up that big monster half dome! really appreciate it. also my wildness permit is from 09/15 to 09/17 and it grants me half dome permits - not sure when you hiked, whether the half dome permits are required? want to make sure I could use half dome permit on any of these three days lol! I can ask the ranger if half dome permits not required when you hiked.
@@dianeswanderlustjournal2567 Yeah permits are required for Half Dome. There will be a ranger there checking for them. If your wilderness permit also grants you a half dome permit then you can go up Half Dome on any of the days that your wilderness permit is valid for. Glad I could help!
enjoyed watching your adventure! thanks for sharing.. have a few questions: 1) did you set up camp at Lower Cathedral Lakes or Upper Cathedral Lakes? Did you visit both lakes? 2) From Sunrise, how much water do you advise to bring to the summit of Cloud's Rest? Heard there's no water around Cloud's Rest and want to bring just enough... don't want to bring too much since I'll already have a lot of weight on me 3) I'm doing pretty much exactly the same route you're doing and appreciate any tips! thanks
1) I set up camp at Lower Cathedral Lake. I saw Upper Cathedral Lake on my way to Sunrise (it's next to the trail). 2) I only had a 1.5 L water bottle and filled it up at Sunrise before leaving. About 2 miles before Clouds Rest you'll see a small pond. That's the last water source before Clouds Rest. I made sure to fill my water bottle there but that wasn't enough for me. It was a really hot day and with the strenuous hike up Clouds Rest, I finished my water that evening while camping. I wasn't able to refill my water until reaching Sunrise Creek the following morning, about 1.5 miles coming down from Clouds Rest. I was really dehydrated by that point. Be prepared for that. I would've taken 3L of water if I had my water bladder with me. Hope this helps and thanks for watching! Enjoy your trip, it'll be absolutely amazing!
Fantastic video Diego! What an adventure and you captured it all perfectly!! I’m planning a similar route next summer. What’s the closest campground you’d suggest from Half Dome where I could leave my gear and do the final push up Half Dome?
Thank you! If you want to leave your gear at a campground I would recommend the backpacker's campground in Little Yosemite Valley (which is where I camped). There are bear lockers where you can store your gear, there are vault toilets, and you can refill your water at the Merced River. From there it's a 3 mile hike up to Half Dome. Enjoy your trip!
Thank you for sharing. This is really helpful for my upcoming trip in 3 weeks, but I'm only going for 2 nights/3 days. So you went down to Yosemite Valley then went back up to Half Dome? Do you know if there's a place to leave my pack on the way to Half Dome?
No, I didn't go down to the valley before Half Dome. I stayed at the backpacker's campground in Little Yosemite Valley which is above Nevada Fall and 3 miles from Half Dome. You could leave your pack in one of the bear lockers at that campground (that's what I did) although I know some people opt to just leave their packs somewhere along the trail (I personally think it's safer to leave it at the campground). Hope this helps and enjoy your trip!
hello Diego! So one more question on water - was there enough water when you camp around clouds rest? Or near sunrise creek? I know people have been saving no water around sunrise high Sierra camp
I camped almost at the very top of Clouds Rest so there wasn't any water nearby. If you camp next to sunrise creek you should be able to find water there. I think the closest water source to the Sunrise High Sierra Camp is Sunrise Lakes
Using the bus isn't mandatory but if I chose to walk back it would be another 16 miles from Little Yosemite Valley back to my car at the Cathedral Lakes trailhead.
You can check availability here: yosemite.org/wildtrails/report They usually get fully reserved months in advance but there will be some spots open that you can apply for 2 weeks in advance and up to 4 days in advance. For more info: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm
Diego I just watched this video and thoroughly enjoyed it. Your camera work and commentary were top notch, especially the short glimpse of the sunset and night sky from Clouds Rest. Great choice camping there despite the possibility of another cold night! My backpacking days are over due to arthritis and chronic back issues so I love watching these wonderful videos by you and others in the High Sierra. My wife and I hiked Half Dome from Glacier Point on the Panorama Trail and spent the night on top in 1980 when you could still do that. So we did the cables with full packs (but no tent) and the cables were not easy, especially going down. My wife was more nervous than me but she conquered the Subdome and descending the cables in the morning sun with a top heavy load on her back. We're in our 70s now, living in the San Luis Obispo area, and glad we did all those hikes and camping trips that gave us such wonderful memories. I admire you for going out alone and with minimal supplies. Thanks again for a trip through the Sierra I love and our favorite national park that we have visited dozens of times.
Steve, I'm jealous and impressed by what you and your wife did. Sounds like you've had a life filled with amazing adventures and memories. I aspire to be like that when I'm older. Thanks for all the praise on this video, I really appreciate it!
Congratulations! Thanks for taking us up Half Dome. You picked the perfect time to climb it. I’ve seen photos where it’s a solid stream of people all the way up to the top. The Half Dome ascent is a hike I have no desire to do so your video is the closest I’ll ever be. It was thrilling to watch!
I really appreciate your honesty in expressing how you are feeling; your doubts, your challenges, your exhaustion, your elation. This can save lives as anyone watching this video and wanting to hike it too will be better prepared for the challenges and not go out in the wilderness thinking it’s a walk in the park.
I love your Google Earth projection of the trail.
For me, the only thing I would change is to not have human music during the hike. I don’t mind it at the beginning during the preview or during the drive to and from the trailhead but during the hike itself, I want to hear Nature’s music; the bird song, water cascading, the wind through the trees, the crunch of boots on the trail, even the buzz of mosquitoes! Nature doesn’t need any ‘improvements’. I usually pass by RUclips channels that play music during the hike but I love your work so much that I decided to subscribed.
I did my first solo backpack trip this year (I’m a 69 yo woman) It was awesome. Had two more trips planned but Hurricane Hilary came in the day before I was to leave my base camp. Lucky I didn’t get caught up in the high passes. Will do them another time. Thanks for another great hiking adventure.
Fellow San Diegan here!
I just back country camped solo for the first time in Yosemite (at Sunrise lakes) this week! It was a challenge and a confidence booster for me to feel comfortable solo backpacking in the future.
I filmed my trip and will be editing it over the next week or so and eventually posting it on RUclips.
Your video was very inspiring and well done! I’ll definitely check out your other videos.
In my opinion, hands down the best backpacking video of yosemite national park, gracias por compartir Diego
Wow! That means a lot, muchas gracias! 🙏🏼
What an epic journey! And your camera footage was superb! Loved how you captured each segment of the hike, including your campsites. I loved the starry night sky you got on Clouds Rest. I could feel your exhaustion when you did Half Dome. I did it as a day hike and almost gave up halfway up the sub dome, but I persevered, then had to rush back down to the Valley before dark fell because I had no headlamp or jacket. I made it back to camp at 8:15 pm, just as the sunlight disappeared. I'm doing the hike again this summer (2023) but I'm hiking down from the Panorama Trail, spending the night in LYV, hiking Half Dome the next day, coming back to LYV to spend a second night, then hike back down to the Valley. Better than a one day death march😂
Haha yeah I've also done it in one day and definitely prefer to do it as part of a backpacking trip. Camping in LYV is the way to go! That way you can get to Half Dome before all the day hikers and enjoy it more. Enjoy your trip to Yosemite and thanks for watching!
Diego, wow, totally amazing & epic!!
Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley, alone, in the middle of the oppressive summer heat, in 5 days is inspiring & painful all rolled into one. This is not your typical multi day backpacking hike.
Cathedral & Sunrise Lakes are beautiful, camping under the stars on Clouds Rest was majestic & impressive. Summoning the mental & physical strength to conquer Half Dome on a fish & water diet, well, that’s just plain nuts!
Living in San Diego & having done the Yosemite drive too many times to count, I can appreciate how difficult the, one way, 7+ hour drive is.
Congratulations & thank you for taking the extra time & effort to film this epic journey and sharing it with us mere mortals.
I am a mere mortal as well, but I appreciate all the praise. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Thank you for taking us on that journey!
My pleasure!
Sir Diego from San Diego, you are superman man! My favorite statement of yours is I AM A MINIMALIST however DONT FORGET YOUR WATER!
Thank you for showing us this amazing video!
Haha thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed my video!
I'm doing a 4 day in Yosemite in September and found your vid while looking up hikes. Really enjoyed the ride. Thanks for getting me stoked for my trip! Commentary was honest and great. I really appreciated that. I'll be starting a workout for mine a couple months in advance. I'm not doing half dome, but I'll be doing some gnarly climbs. You convinced me I should train for it haha. Still cant decide if I"m going solo or with a buddy. After watching your vid, I'm leaning more towards solo. Looking forward to more content! Greetings from SF.
Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy your trip in Yosemite! Training a couple of months will definitely make things easier and more enjoyable 👍🏼
Thanks for taking us along. Awesome trip!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Oh No ! Spectacular mountain views and hiking thrilling . Good and excellent video shots.Keep it up and be safe my dear Friend.Keep in touch.
Thank you so much!
Diego, I'm feeling very inspired!
I'm glad I inspired you!
Great video, I really enjoyed it. I like and respect your honest narration. It would be easy, once you are home, to edit out all the parts where you had a little self doubt and make the video look like you are Rambo. But you made it real, admitting to the brief period losing the trail and admitting that the altitude can tire you out.
Good camera work!
Thanks for taking us along!
Thanks! Always trying to keep it real and honest 👍🏼
Great Video Hermano! My buddies and I are making our way out there for 3 backpacking days by the end of September. Saludos Diego!
Gracias! I hope you have a great time! Saludos!
Great video Diego thanks
Thanks!
I really felt like I was hanging with you on that epic trip. My palms even got a little sweaty watching you traverse over the spine of that mountain and going up half dome. It's something I'd like to do. Really well done. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it and you should definitely go for it!
Diego it was awesome following you thru your adventure. Thank you for recording it. Que chingon👍🏼
Glad you enjoyed it. Gracias!
I've been at that exact point with the rock steps up to Half Dome. It sucks, and totally worth it.
Yep, I agree!
Enjoyed the video, Yosemite is such an amazing place. Way to hang in there at the end! Thanks for sharing. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!
I can’t believe you did that without a proper backpack - that’s intense! I’m impressed!! Great job with your editing and commentary.
My favorite quick overnight (or lazy 2 night) is glacier point > halfdome > mist trail down to Yosemite valley. You killed it, I’d have problems keeping up with you! Haha
Haha thanks Jared! That quick overnight of yours sounds interesting. I'll definitely have to try it out sometime!
excellent video
Awesome video
Good job bro, you are the best, true grit 🔥 🔥
Thanks bro!
So beautiful 😍
Yosemite never disappoints
Nice job, well done. Kudos on actually camping at Clouds. And to almost have to have the park to yourself, during the pandemic. Very special and historic. My first 7 day solo in the Rockies is in my heart today. Love having Yosemite so close (four hours) from me in Northern California. Was there in January 2023 between snowstorms. ☮
Yes, it was very special. Thanks! 7 days in the Rockies sounds amazing. I'll have to plan a trip over there
So cool! Thanks for sharing. I have permits for this exact route in a few months so this video was super helpful.
Enjoy your trip!
Great video man, I appreciate you sharing it. Safe travels.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much 😅
My pleasure 😌
Great video hermano. Looking forward for my trip
Gracias! Enjoy your trip!
Hey man! Really enjoyed this video! Yosemite looks an amazing beautiful place..would really love to go there. I'm not usually scared of heights but geez as u were climbing up half dome I was starting to feel weird! Its sooo steep! lol. It looked worth it once u were up there....the views look out of this world!
Yeah I'm not scared of heights either but being on those cables does take my breath away. The views are definitely worth it. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the advice! And by the way, you pointed out that you didn't really prepare much, hence the soreness and how you were extra cold due to not bringing more clothes. It makes me realize that I'm probably overthinking this trip! It looks like you didn't bring much food (you only had one tuna packet for dinner?). How much did your backpack end up weighing? Did you wish you brought more food or was the supply you had sufficient?
Oh yeah, one other thing... From Cloud's Rest, you went to LYV and set up camp, and from there you started to journey to Half Dome next day. I've read accounts of people setting up camp at the Cloud's Rest/JMT junction, and thus being that much closer to Half Dome to start hike. Curious if you had to do over again, would you have still set up camp at LYV or would you have saved some time by setting up cam at Cloud's Rest/JMT junction?
Yeah don't overthink it. Just enjoy the trip and you'll be fine. I don't remember how much my pack weighed (maybe 30lbs?) but I did have enough food. The problem was that I ate the exact same food every single day (meal2go bars, honey stinger waffles, beef jerky, and safe catch salmon) and it wasn't very tasty (not such a big deal for me though).
I think I would still camp at LYV because I liked being really close to the Merced River, having a bear locker at camp, and having a toilet nearby. That's just my personal preference though.
Great video! I'm gearing up for my first solo trip as well in the coming weeks. Just waiting on the new equipment to arrive. Regarding the cooker, getting a portable gas stove and a lightweight pan can make all the difference, some HOT beverage or dinner can make all the difference for the not-so-warm nights. But amazing that you just had lake water, I'm not sure if I would be willing to do that 4 days :)
Haha I like to make things miserable for myself. Thanks for watching and have fun on your trip!
Cool video, Diego! I’m going to do this same route on 7/11, but I think I have an extra day. I’m trying to decide if I want to leave my vehicle in the Valley or up on Tioga Road near Tuolumne Meadows.
Thanks for watching! I left my car in Tuolomne Meadows because that's what worked best for me with the YARTS shuttle schedule. If I were to do this same route again I would prefer to leave my car in the Valley. Enjoy your trip!
Epic !
Yes!
How do you sleep in a tent alone in the pitch black dark wilderness ? That freaks me out. I want to do the backpacking in and see this magnificent mountain range. I need to go with someone with experience. I’d love to back pack from devils postpile to Yosemite valley.
You should definitely go for it! Even though this was my first time camping alone in the wilderness I really wasn't that intimidated by it because I've already done so many things in my life where I've been pushed outside of my comfort zone, so I'm already used to that feeling. I would recommend you take it easy at first. As you said, going with someone more experienced would be a good idea and then you can gradually build up the courage and experience to try it out on your own. Once you do, you'll realize it's not that freaky and instead is a very rewarding and amazing experience. Hope this helps and good luck!
@@diegogomezcana Roget that. Sometime in the neat future I’ll find a group.
Hello Diego great video! thank you so much for sharing! I will the exact same trail from Cathedral lake trailhead to yosemite valley. so I saw you camped at Clouds rest - do you know any other place to camp around that area with water? I've heard of sunrise creek - is that a good place to camp ? I'm planning to do this in 3 - first day from cathedral trailhead to somewhere near clouds rest, second day from clouds rest to half dome and back, third day from clouds rest camping area to yosemite valley. you good this is good?
Hello Diane, there are good spots to camp next to Sunrise Creek right around where the Clouds Rest trail intersects with the JMT, coming down from Clouds Rest on your way to Half Dome. I think Sunrise Creek is the closest water source to Clouds Rest so if you want to camp next to water that would be your best bet. I think your plan is doable although that first day will be a really long and strenuous hike all the way from Cathedral Lake Trailhead to Clouds Rest. Maybe you are in excellent shape and its fine with you but I know I would be struggling a lot. I would personally recommend maybe camping at one of the Sunrise Lakes the first night, second day hike up to Clouds Rest then camp by Sunrise Creek, third day hike up Half Dome then down to the valley. But if you want to stick to your plan, go ahead. Thanks for watching and good luck! Enjoy your trip!
@@diegogomezcana thank you so much! I think you plan sounds perfect and will allow time for me to rest before hiking up that big monster half dome! really appreciate it. also my wildness permit is from 09/15 to 09/17 and it grants me half dome permits - not sure when you hiked, whether the half dome permits are required? want to make sure I could use half dome permit on any of these three days lol! I can ask the ranger if half dome permits not required when you hiked.
@@dianeswanderlustjournal2567 Yeah permits are required for Half Dome. There will be a ranger there checking for them. If your wilderness permit also grants you a half dome permit then you can go up Half Dome on any of the days that your wilderness permit is valid for. Glad I could help!
@@diegogomezcana thank you!!! you are amazing!!! thank you so much for your quick response!
enjoyed watching your adventure! thanks for sharing.. have a few questions:
1) did you set up camp at Lower Cathedral Lakes or Upper Cathedral Lakes? Did you visit both lakes?
2) From Sunrise, how much water do you advise to bring to the summit of Cloud's Rest? Heard there's no water around Cloud's Rest and want to bring just enough... don't want to bring too much since I'll already have a lot of weight on me
3) I'm doing pretty much exactly the same route you're doing and appreciate any tips! thanks
1) I set up camp at Lower Cathedral Lake. I saw Upper Cathedral Lake on my way to Sunrise (it's next to the trail).
2) I only had a 1.5 L water bottle and filled it up at Sunrise before leaving. About 2 miles before Clouds Rest you'll see a small pond. That's the last water source before Clouds Rest. I made sure to fill my water bottle there but that wasn't enough for me. It was a really hot day and with the strenuous hike up Clouds Rest, I finished my water that evening while camping. I wasn't able to refill my water until reaching Sunrise Creek the following morning, about 1.5 miles coming down from Clouds Rest. I was really dehydrated by that point. Be prepared for that. I would've taken 3L of water if I had my water bladder with me.
Hope this helps and thanks for watching! Enjoy your trip, it'll be absolutely amazing!
Fantastic video Diego! What an adventure and you captured it all perfectly!! I’m planning a similar route next summer. What’s the closest campground you’d suggest from Half Dome where I could leave my gear and do the final push up Half Dome?
Thank you! If you want to leave your gear at a campground I would recommend the backpacker's campground in Little Yosemite Valley (which is where I camped). There are bear lockers where you can store your gear, there are vault toilets, and you can refill your water at the Merced River. From there it's a 3 mile hike up to Half Dome. Enjoy your trip!
@@diegogomezcana Thank you! And I loved the reference to Frodo, Sam and Gollum climbing the stairs to Shelob’s lair. Made me laugh haha
@@ssaharan75 Those stairs are a pain in the ass haha
Thank you for sharing. This is really helpful for my upcoming trip in 3 weeks, but I'm only going for 2 nights/3 days. So you went down to Yosemite Valley then went back up to Half Dome? Do you know if there's a place to leave my pack on the way to Half Dome?
No, I didn't go down to the valley before Half Dome. I stayed at the backpacker's campground in Little Yosemite Valley which is above Nevada Fall and 3 miles from Half Dome. You could leave your pack in one of the bear lockers at that campground (that's what I did) although I know some people opt to just leave their packs somewhere along the trail (I personally think it's safer to leave it at the campground). Hope this helps and enjoy your trip!
hello Diego! So one more question on water - was there enough water when you camp around clouds rest? Or near sunrise creek? I know people have been saving no water around sunrise high Sierra camp
I camped almost at the very top of Clouds Rest so there wasn't any water nearby. If you camp next to sunrise creek you should be able to find water there. I think the closest water source to the Sunrise High Sierra Camp is Sunrise Lakes
You should try it with a real backpack, you need to have a hip belt yp shift the weight from your shoulders to your hips
I like to make things unnecessarily challenging for myself 😉
Just curious. Is using the bus mandatory? Or you could walk too if you wanted?
Using the bus isn't mandatory but if I chose to walk back it would be another 16 miles from Little Yosemite Valley back to my car at the Cathedral Lakes trailhead.
How long do permits take to get? Could I get them for next month?
You can check availability here: yosemite.org/wildtrails/report
They usually get fully reserved months in advance but there will be some spots open that you can apply for 2 weeks in advance and up to 4 days in advance.
For more info: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm