4 nights in Yosemite Wilderness (Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne)


Details
Hi Folks,
I have 3 extra permits (of 4) for the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Loop (CCW) in Yosemite National Park.
Distance: ~53 miles
Elevation gain: ~10,000 ft
Time: 5 days, 4 nights
Difficulty: Strenuous
Signup form: https://forms.gle/ziSQ78dwSstjFWE27
The loop is located in the northern half of Yosemite Wilderness, starting at White Wolf campground. We may be able to snag another permit 2 weeks before the trip. I'll leave the Bay Area the day before on 7/28 and return the evening of 8/3. Food/gear is on you unless you want to buddy up with someone. The trail has several lakes you can swim in, but no major water crossings that I'm aware of. You must be fairly fit and have previous backpacking experience. Adults only and no dogs please.
We will meet at the White Wolf campground at 8am and be on trail by 9am.
Tuesday:
8 mile ascent up to the Ten Lakes Pass. Then descend ~800 ft of switchbacks down to the Ten Lakes area. Pass the rest of the lakes to get to "East" lake and sleep there.
Wednesday:
Descend ~800 ft of switchbacks to the top of the South Fork drainage. Travel ~1.5 miles down the drainage. Then take some steep switchbacks up to the base of Tuolumne Peak (there may be a spring along the way). Travel about 4 miles around the north of the peak. A detour to Polly Dome Lakes is possible if we need water. Sleep at the May Lake / Ten Lakes trail junction or push on to the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp.
Thursday:
From the junction, take the May Lake trail NE. At the Tuolumne River bridge pause to admire the Tuolumne Falls. Then eat lunch at the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp. Follow the river NW and pass the Glen Aulin meadow, California Falls, LeConte Falls and Waterwheel Falls. Sleep here for the night.
Friday:
Descend down a large number of switchbacks, all the way to the canyon floor. Sleep at Pate Valley.
Saturday:
Cross the Pate Valley bridge. Follow the Tuolumne River for ~2 miles, then ~4 miles up 3,000 ft to Harden Lake. Turn onto Old Tioga Road and travel ~3 miles back to White Wolf campground.
Bear canisters are required to store all food while on overnight trips. Backpackers have the ability to spend a night prior to departure or night of return at the Backpackers Campground (White Wolf).
Gaia GPS:
https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/folder/01b33061-66cc-4dd2-8597-56dc973cacde/
This hike in the reverse direction (we’re doing CCW):
https://socalhiker.net/backpacking-the-grand-canyon-of-tuolumne-loop-in-yosemite-national-park/
Similar trail in AllTrails:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/waterwheel-falls-and-the-grand-canyon-of-the-tuolumne-trail


4 nights in Yosemite Wilderness (Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne)