Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
According to park rangers, more than 20 percent of all backcountry campers in
Yosemite pass through Little Yosemite Valley. Where there are backpacks laden with
delicious snacks, bears soon follow. This area is notorious for bears bold enough to
swipe your food off of a stump while you're pitching your tent.
To help manage the impact of so many visitors, rangers have constructed desig-
nated fire rings, bear boxes, and composting toilets. Please use these to lessen the ef-
fect of high traffic in the backcountry. During the summer months, a ranger lives just
east of the campground on the other side of Sunshine Creek; a spur trail to the station
departs the JMT shortly after leaving the campground.
After leaving Little Yosemite Valley (6,140 feet), climb moderately for about
one hour along the 2.2 miles leading up to the juncture with the
Half Dome trail
(7,020 feet). If you want to make the optional 4-mile, 2,000-foot-elevation-gain,
round-trip climb, leave your pack here. Be sure to stow any food in bear-proof cans
and stash your pack out of sight. The likelihood of anyone taking your things is slim,
but there's no reason to tempt fate.
From the juncture with the Half Dome trail, continue climbing and within a half
mile, pass the trail leading up to Cloud's Rest (7,210 feet). After this point, the
scenery opens to sweeping views of the Cascade Cliffs and Bunnell Point, and the
trail traffic diminishes. In the mile following the juncture, enter a forested area dot-
ted with red firs and dogwoods along Sunrise Creek. There are a few camp spots
here for anyone who wants to avoid the crowds at Little Yosemite Valley. The views
here are stupendous as well.
After fording Sunrise Creek, pass through a relatively level wash area often
layered with a carpet of wildflowers in the spring and early summer. Enter a lush
area with ferns, lupines, and beautiful wildflowers such as baby blue eyes and
columbine along the creek. Shortly thereafter, cross the first of two junctions, one for
Merced Lake and a second for the Forsyth Trail. Continue to follow signs for the
JMT, fording Sunrise Creek a handful of times. Over the next 4.5 miles, the trail as-
cends gradually at first, but eventually begins two grueling sets of switchbacks to
reach a ridge along Sunrise Mountain with northern views to Cathedral Peak.
Descend the eastern side of the mountain into gorgeous and appropriately
named Long Meadow. Early in the season, the mosquitoes can be brutal here, so con-
sider striking camp on a high plateau before descending or continuing past the mead-
ow about a mile past the High Sierra Camp en route to Cathedral Pass.
As you approach the meadow, look for Sunrise High Sierra Camp (9,320 feet),
one of five High Sierra Camps that Yosemite offers. The camps are generally spaced
6 to 10 miles apart, where a hot meal, a canvas tent cabin with a bed, and a pack
lunch await weary hikers. For more information and current rates and reservations,
