Glacier Point to Illilouette Gear Checklist
The Glacier Point to Illilouette trailhead starts with a downhill walk off the south rim and a first legal camp about 4 trail miles out, near Illilouette Creek. Because the park says to camp at least four trail miles from Glacier Point, every group walks the same short stretch first. The gear that matters here is a bear canister (this route has no food lockers), enough bottles for a dry stretch beyond the creek, shoes you can take off at a ford, and a rain layer for afternoon cloud. Hikers who continue toward Red Peak Pass add bug repellent.
What shapes your gear on Glacier Point to Illilouette
- First legal camp
- Park rules keep camps at least four trail miles from Glacier Point, and a mile from any road. Two trip reports put the first good camps near the Illilouette Creek crossings, about 4 miles from the start.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations, SoCal Hiker and Backcountry Post
- Trail shape
- The route follows the Panorama Trail, then forks right along Illilouette Creek. One hiker lost nearly 1,000 feet in the first 2.5 miles, then climbed through an old fire scar. The hiker's GPS read 4.5 miles to the creek crossing where the park's signs say 3.5.
From SoCal Hiker
- Season and road
- Glacier Point Road is closed to cars from roughly November to late May or June, and overnight parking on it is not allowed after October 15. The trailhead lists a vault toilet and drinking water in summer.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Trailhead Information
- How permits release
- In reservation season, 60 percent of a trailhead's daily quota can be reserved 24 weeks ahead and the other 40 percent become available seven days ahead. Two trip reports show the permit being written at the Wawona wilderness office, and one hiker got a walk-in permit for a Friday start.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Permits, SoCal Hiker and Backcountry Post
What the agency requires on Glacier Point to Illilouette
A bear-resistant container or food locker for all food and scented items
Yosemite requires all food, drinks, trash and toiletries to be stored in an approved container or locker unless within arm's reach of an awake person. Hanging food is illegal. Food lockers exist only at Little Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra Camps, so this route needs a canister. The park rents one model at the Valley Welcome Center.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Bears & Food Storage While Backpacking and Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Permits
A wilderness permit for your date and trailhead
Permits are required year round. Reservation season runs late April through October, and the park warns against showing up expecting a walk-up permit. Unreserved permits are given in person at a wilderness center between 8 am and 5 pm.
A trowel or other way to bury waste
Human waste must be buried 4 to 6 inches deep in organic soil and at least 100 feet from water, trails and camp.
A plan to camp on an existing site
Camp on established sites at least 100 feet from water and trail. Campfires are allowed only in existing fire rings below 9,600 feet.
What hikers carry on Glacier Point to Illilouette
A bear canister, packed to fit with everything scented
The route has no bear boxes, so it goes in your pack from the first step. A trip report also warns to leave nothing with a scent in the car at Glacier Point, including toothpaste and deodorant.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Bears & Food Storage While Backpacking and SoCal Hiker
Shoes or sandals you can take off at a creek crossing
One southbound hiker took boots off to wade Illilouette Creek near the Mono Meadows junction and called it the first of many such crossings. A pair that dries fast saves the walk to the first camp.
From SoCal Hiker
Bottles for a dry stretch past the creek
Illilouette Creek had plenty of water, but the ranger told one party not to count on smaller tributaries. A hiker in a dry year crossed many dried channels. A group planning ahead expected a long wait for another good source after the first camp.
From SoCal Hiker, Mountain Project and Backcountry Post
A rain layer
A Red Peak Pass group met scattered rain clouds and fog by mid-afternoon on day two and chose to camp early at Lower Ottaway Lake. Another party arrived after two days of thunderstorms.
From Backcountry Post and SoCal Hiker
Bug repellent if you continue
The Triple Peak Fork meadow beyond Red Peak Pass was the one place a group called the bugs horrendous. They sprayed and kept moving.
From Backcountry Post
A lighter for the existing fire ring
Campers built a campfire at the established site above Illilouette Creek. The park allows fires only in existing rings below 9,600 feet.
From SoCal Hiker and Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations
15 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.
Plan a trip hereWhat hikers regret or leave behind on Glacier Point to Illilouette
Counting on small tributaries for water
A ranger warned one party not to rely on them. A later hiker saw dried-up channels on the route toward Mount Starr King and chose a different start the next time.
From SoCal Hiker and Mountain Project
A bear hang
Hanging food is illegal in Yosemite. Use a canister placed 25 to 50 feet from camp, away from cliffs and water.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Bears & Food Storage While Backpacking
Scented items left in the car
A hiker who parked at Glacier Point says bears have ways of opening cars. Toothpaste, deodorant and air fresheners all count.
From SoCal Hiker
Gear questions for Glacier Point to Illilouette
Do I need a bear canister for the Glacier Point to Illilouette trailhead?
Yes. Yosemite requires approved containers or lockers, and lockers on this route do not exist. They are only at Little Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra Camps. The Valley Welcome Center rents canisters.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Bears & Food Storage While Backpacking and Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Permits
Where is the first legal campsite on the Glacier Point to Illilouette route?
The park requires camping at least four trail miles from Glacier Point, and the trip reports we read found established sites around 4 miles, near Illilouette Creek and the Buena Vista junction.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations, SoCal Hiker and Backcountry Post
Is there water on the Glacier Point to Illilouette route?
Illilouette Creek is the dependable source near the first camps. Small side streams can be dry, so fill up at the creek before you climb.
From SoCal Hiker and Mountain Project
Can you have a campfire on the Glacier Point to Illilouette route?
Yes, but only inside an existing fire ring below 9,600 feet, set 100 feet back from water and trail. Check for fire restrictions first.
Sources
- Wilderness Permits · Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Agency
- Wilderness Trailhead Information · Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Agency
- Bears & Food Storage While Backpacking · Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Agency
- Wilderness Regulations · Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Agency
- Hiking the Theodore Solomons Trail: Glacier Point to Illilouette Creek · SoCal Hiker · Trip report
- Red Peak Pass July 2025 · Backcountry Post, shredhiker · Trip report
- access to Mt Starr King? (forum thread) · Mountain Project · Forum thread