Define the Trip
Destination
Yosemite National Park: Day 1 Mist Trail to Little Yosemite Valley Campground, Day 2 Half Dome summit and return to Little Yosemite Valley, Day 3 John Muir Trail down to Yosemite Valley.
Month and duration
August, 3 days, 2 people. Shared items such as the tent, stove, water treatment, and bear canister capacity must be planned for two people.
Permit requirement
NPS states that a wilderness permit is required year-round for backpacking or any overnight stay in the Yosemite Wilderness.
Food storage
Bear-resistant food canisters are required in the Yosemite Wilderness for food and scented items.
3-Day Yosemite Route Focus
| Day | Route | Distance | Ascent | Descent | Elevation profile | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Hike into Little Yosemite Valley Campground via the Mist Trail. | Approximately 5 miles / 8.0 km | Approximately 2,300 ft / 701 m | Approximately 500 ft / 152 m | Approximately 4,000 ft to 6,100 ft / 1,219 m to 1,859 m | Plan for a sustained climb from Yosemite Valley and confirm Mist Trail conditions before departure. |
| Day 2 | Summit Half Dome, then hike back down to Little Yosemite Valley Campground. | Approximately 7 miles / 11.3 km | Approximately 2,850 ft / 869 m | Approximately 2,850 ft / 869 m | Approximately 6,100 ft to 8,800 ft / 1,859 m to 2,682 m | Confirm Half Dome permit requirements, cable status, weather, smoke, water, and daylight timing. |
| Day 3 | Hike from Little Yosemite Valley down to Yosemite Valley via the John Muir Trail. | Approximately 6 miles / 9.7 km | Approximately 1,500 ft / 457 m | Approximately 3,500 ft / 1,067 m | Approximately 6,100 ft to 4,000 ft / 1,859 m to 1,219 m | Expect a descent-heavy day and verify John Muir Trail conditions before leaving camp. |
What TrailReady Recommends
Weather range
Yosemite Valley August normals are 32°C (89°F) high and 14°C (57°F) low. Little Yosemite Valley is about 2,100 ft (640 m) higher than Yosemite Valley, so a standard 3.5°F per 1,000 ft (6.4°C per 1,000 m) lapse-rate estimate gives an overnight planning low of about 10°C (50°F) before wind, cloud cover, and storms are considered.
Sleeping bag
For buying a sleeping bag in advance, use the Little Yosemite Valley planning low of about 10°C (50°F) for the overnight camp, then choose a comfort rating with enough margin for individual cold sensitivity, wind, rain, and damp gear.
Food and storage volume
For 2 people over 3 days, plan 4.2 kg to 6.0 kg / 9.3 lb to 13.2 lb of food using the TrailReady food guide range, then confirm all food and scented items fit in allowed canister capacity.
Water treatment
Yosemite recommends treating river or lake water before drinking. The park lists boiling for three minutes as the most reliable disinfection method.
How the Recommendation Is Made
Start with the route
This itinerary climbs from Yosemite Valley to Little Yosemite Valley, reaches Half Dome during the day, and returns by the John Muir Trail, so planning should not use Yosemite Valley conditions alone.
Use official requirements first
Permit, camping, food-storage, sanitation, and water-treatment rules come from Yosemite National Park and National Park Service sources.
Use an elevation adjustment
For buying decisions, estimate that Little Yosemite Valley may be about 4°C (7°F) cooler than Yosemite Valley, and Half Dome may be about 9°C (17°F) cooler than Yosemite Valley because of the elevation gain. These are planning estimates based on elevation, not measured campsite temperatures.
Verify before departure
Check current Yosemite wilderness conditions, Mist Trail and John Muir Trail status, Half Dome permit and cable status, trail closures, smoke, water availability, and the exact permit trailhead before packing.
Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Pad
| Route condition | Planning temperature | Backpacking consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Yosemite Valley start and finish | 14°C (57°F) August normal low | This is useful for the trailhead area, but it should not be the only weather input for this route. |
| Little Yosemite Valley overnight camp | About 10°C (50°F) estimated low | Use this as the main buying temperature for sleeping-bag comfort rating and sleeping pad insulation. |
| Half Dome highest point | About 9°C (17°F) cooler than Yosemite Valley | Use this as a daytime safety margin for clothing layers, rain protection, wind protection, and emergency warmth. |
Use the Yosemite route details in the planner
This itinerary provides the route, elevation range, month, duration, and party size. The planner uses those inputs to calculate the top gear recommendations by category.
View PlannerAlternatives
For a confirmed low-elevation Yosemite Valley route, compare lighter summer bags. For a high-country route, compare bags by comfort rating, packed volume, and wet-weather protection.
Buying Advice
Do not buy from the printed temperature name alone. Confirm the comfort rating, packed volume, and whether the bag can stay dry inside the backpack and tent.
Tent and Rain Protection
| Condition | Requirement | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Low precipitation normal | Still carry rain protection | NPS Yosemite climate normals show low August precipitation, but mountain storms, smoke, and localized weather can still affect a trip. |
| High-country camps | Secure tent setup and ventilation | Open granite and meadow terrain can be more exposed than forested valley camps. |
| Rain or wet ground | Keep water out of the tent | Sleeping bags and sleep clothing must stay dry; wet down insulation can lose loft and warmth. |
Alternatives
Freestanding tents are easier on hard-packed campsites. Trekking-pole tents can save weight but require more careful setup.
Buying Advice
Check floor condition, door coverage, ventilation, and space for wet gear before comparing only weight.
Food Storage and Water
| Item | Verified requirement | Backpacking consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Bear canister | Required in Yosemite Wilderness | Food, trash, toiletries, sunscreen, and other scented items must fit in the canister. |
| Water treatment | Treat river or lake water before drinking | Carry a filter or purifier and a backup treatment method. Yosemite lists boiling for three minutes as most reliable. |
| Water sources | Route-specific | Confirm streams, lakes, and campsite water before departure; this guide does not assume a source at camp. |
Alternatives
Canisters can be rented in Yosemite, or hikers can carry their own allowed canister.
Buying Advice
Do not rely on food hanging in Yosemite. NPS states that hanging food is illegal throughout Yosemite.
Final Packing Checklist
Required
Wilderness permit, allowed bear canister, water treatment, map/navigation, headlamp, first aid, insulating layer, rain layer, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove or no-cook food plan.
August-specific
Sun protection, electrolyte plan, insect protection for meadows and high country, smoke/air-quality check, and enough capacity for 3 days of food for 2 people.
Verify before departure
Trailhead, Little Yosemite Valley campsite conditions, Mist Trail and John Muir Trail status, Half Dome permit and cable status, current wilderness conditions, trail closures, fire and smoke conditions, and water source reliability.
Source notes
Weather uses NPS 1991-2020 normals. Wilderness rules, permits, food storage, sanitation, water treatment, and current-condition reminders use Yosemite/NPS sources listed below.
Sources Used
- NPS Yosemite weather normals
- National Weather Service lapse-rate reference
- NPS Yosemite wilderness permits
- NPS Yosemite wilderness conditions and food storage
- NPS Yosemite wilderness regulations
- NPS Yosemite bears and food storage while backpacking
- NPS Yosemite public health and water treatment
- NPS backcountry health and water treatment
- Yosemite Conservancy bear canister rental information
This guide covers one specific trip type
Change the trailhead, campsite elevation, party size, month, duration, or expected storm exposure and the requirements may change.
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