Backpacking Clouds Rest, Half Dome and Glen Aulin

Rarely have I scored a backpacking permit for some popular routes. When I secured a two-night permit covering both Clouds Rest and Half Dome, I managed to make changes on a tight work schedule to accommodate this weekday adventure. Before Pandemic, I tended to plan my outdoor activities around my work. What the Pandemic has taught me is the opposite: to make the work schedule work for my outdoor plans.

On the arriving day of July 26, we camped at the backpacker lot at Yosemite Valley. The next morning we dropped a car at Happy Isles, then drove to Tuolume Meadows to pick up the permit. Our group started at Tanaya Lake and exited at Happy Isles via the Mist trail. It was an epic trip with a bonus at Glen Aulin trail off Tuolumne Meadows.  

Tanaya Lake from Clouds Rest.

Love the expansive mountaintop view at Clouds Rest.

Clouds Rest towards Half Dome. 

Half Dome early in the day. 

On top of Half Dome.

Nevada Fall. 

Vernal Fall on Mist Trail.

Half Dome from Glacier Point.