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Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley permit

Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley Gear Checklist

What to carry on Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley, and why. 1 item is written into the permit rules and 9 more are worth the pack space.

10Total Items
1Required
9To bring

What to bring on Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley

Specific to this permit, not a generic camping list. One item is written into the permit rules, and every one of those carries the rule it comes from.

  • Required

    An allowed bear canister for the trail; the LYV lockers only cover you while you are in camp

    Permit rule: “Allowed bear canisters are required throughout the Yosemite Wilderness; hanging or counterbalancing food is not legal. LYV's communal lockers are an alternative in camp — do not store non-food items in them or padlock them”

  • Bring

    Water treatment

    LYV has no potable water and the Merced is the only source

  • Bring

    Headlamp with spare batteries

    because Half Dome days start before dawn

  • Bring

    Rain shell for afternoon thunderstorms

  • Bring

    Sturdy footwear with real traction; the Mist Trail stairs are wet granite

  • Bring

    Grippy gloves if you are going up the cables

  • Bring

    Trekking poles for the descent off the subdome and the Mist Trail steps

  • Bring

    A stove

    the only legal fire is in the communal rings

  • Bring

    Dry bag for anything that must not get soaked on the Mist Trail

  • Bring

    Bags for packing out toilet paper away from camp

15 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.

Build a shared list

General backcountry gear

Kit we recommend for backcountry trips in general. This is not a checklist specific to Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley — the Yosemite National Park rules for this permit are above.

🎒
Recommended
Wild Ideas

Bearikade Weekender

Ultralight carbon fiber bear canister. IGBC certified.

1 lb 15 ozultralightcarbon-fiber
$325
🎒
Recommended
Katadyn

BeFree 1L

Ultralight collapsible filter system.

2 ozultralightfast-flow
$44.95
🎒
Recommended
BearVault

BV500 Bear Vault

The most popular bear canister for Sierra backpacking. Fits 7 days of food.

2 lbs 9 oz7-day capacityapproved
$89.95
🎒
Recommended
Black Diamond

Distance Carbon Z

Lightweight folding carbon poles.

1 lb 1 ozcarbonfolding
$169.95
🎒
Recommended
Sawyer

Sawyer Squeeze

The most popular water filter for backpacking.

3 ozpopularreliable
$37.95

Gear Tips for Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley

💡 Pro Tips

  • •Weigh your pack before you go. A lighter pack makes for a happier hike.
  • •Rent expensive gear if you are trying a new activity for the first time.
  • •Test all new gear at home before hitting the trail.
  • •Check current regulations as some items may be required seasonally.

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