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Basic Hike Description
Half Dome from Tanya Lake Over Clouds Rest to Valley Floor
bulletLocation:  Yosemite, CA.  Trailhead is Tanya Lake on Tioga Rd. 
bulletFeatures:  Spectacular views from Clouds Rest and Half Dome, waterfalls, bears, great camp view camp spot
bulletStats:  Moderately strenuous 3 night, 4 day hike plus camp night before and after in / near Yosemite NP.  Approx 20mi's total.  Move camp twice.  4,000 vertical down then back up.
bulletComments:  The trail from the Valley floor to Half Dome is very busy.  This one is much less traveled and adds Clouds Rest to the itinerary
 
Half Dome from Tanya Lake via Sunrise HSC Over Clouds Rest to Valley Floor
bulletLocation:  Yosemite, CA.  Trailhead is Tanya Lake on Tioga Rd. 
bulletFeatures:  Spectacular views from Clouds Rest and Half Dome, waterfalls, bears, Sunshine HSC
bulletStats:  Moderately strenuous 3 night, 4 day hike plus camp night before and after.  Approx 20mi's total.  Move camp twice.  4,000 vertical down then back up.
bulletComments:  The trail from the Valley floor to Half Dome is very busy.  This one is much less traveled and adds Clouds Rest to the itinerary.  Different route to Clouds Rest than above hike.
 
Half Dome via Panorama Trail to Valley Floor
bulletLocation:  Yosemite, CA.  Trailhead is Glacier Point - Panorama Trail
bulletFeatures:  Big waterfalls, bears, Half Dome, climbing cables, stunning views
bulletStats:  Moderately strenuous 3 night, 4 day hike plus camp night before in / near Yosemite NP.  Approx 18mi's total.  Move camp twice.  2,500 vertical up then 4,500 vertical down.
bulletComments: Easiest access to Half Dome.  Starts high at Glacier Point and ends low in Yosemite Valley.  Two cars or hitch hiking to retrieve trailhead car required.  One of the most spectacular hikes in the park.
 
  
Cottonwood to Whitney via New Army Pass, Mitre Basin, Crabtree Pass & out Whitney Portal
bulletLocation:  Near Lone Pine, CA.  5mi's SE of Whitney Portal as the crow flies to Cottonwood Camp trailhead
bulletFeatures:  Mountain hiking, climbing several passes, lakes / streams, water where you need it, spectacular views from 15,000ft on highest peak in lower 48.
bulletStats:  Strenuous 3 night, 4 day hike plus camp night before and after.  Approx 35mi's total.  7,000 vertical feet.
bulletComments:  Hike perfected over years of repeat hikes in the area.  Don't miss bushwhack thru Miter Basin!  Much less traffic and more scenic than doing Whitney from the Portal.  You must be in good condition to attempt this one.
 
  
Waterwheel Trail from Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Dome
bulletLocation:  Yosemite, CA.  Waterwheel trailhead at Tuolumne Meadows on Tioga Rd.  Yosemite Falls Trailhead on Tioga Rd.  Sentinel Dome trailhead on Glacier Pt Rd.
bulletFeatures:  Fast running waters all the way, waterfalls, unusual waterwheel effect, Glen Aulin HSC, bushwhacking, view from headwaters at top of Yosemite Falls, best view in Yosemite NP from Sentinel Dome.
bulletStats:  Moderately strenuous 3 night, 4 day hike from three different trailheads.  Total distance about 25mi's some hard, some easy.
bulletComments:  Water and waterfalls were the featured objectives on these three hikes.  Yosemite falls is 1,200ft tall and is rarely seen from the top looking down as on this hike.  Waterwheel Trail takes you along the Tuolumne River past many rapids and smaller falls and water features.  Glen Aulin HSC is on this trail.  The short hike to Sentinel Dome yields the most spectacular view in all of Yosemite NP.