James Klapp

James Klapp

Backpack to Clouds Rest from Glacier Point

08/07/16

We were issued a permit to camp near Cloud's Rest, but upon having our permit inspected near Half Dome, were told that camping anywhere about the JMT toward Cloud's Rest isn't permitted (no camping off of the Cloud's Rest trail). Either keep mum about your plans or stick to the area to the right of the JMT at the Cloud's Rest junction for campsites with fire rings back about 50 yards from the trail. Also, permits are tough to reserve and all trails have quotas. Fortunately, 40% of the total quota is reserved for walk-up permits. Permit issuing starts at 8am for day-of entry and 11am for next-day entry. We arrived at 8am on a busy July Saturday morning and were first on the list to get our permit for Sunday/Monday. There is a list of trailhead quotas for Yosemite. https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/trailheads.htm When you receive your backcountry permit, you'll be able to spend the night before your trip in the backpackers campground near North Pines for a small fee. Super rad. Eat some pizza in Half Dome Village!

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