Skip to content
Happy Isles to Past LYV (Donohue Pass eligible) permit

Happy Isles to Past LYV (Donohue Pass eligible) Gear Checklist

What to carry on Happy Isles to Past LYV (Donohue Pass eligible), 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 Past LYV (Donohue Pass eligible)

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 entire trip

    rentable at any wilderness permit station, and a legal requirement rather than advice

    Permit rule: “Allowed bear canisters are required throughout Yosemite; hanging food is not permitted anywhere in the park and there are no exceptions for through-hikers”

  • Bring

    Water treatment for the whole route

  • Bring

    Cold-weather layers; Donohue Pass is at 11,056 feet and the high country runs far colder than the valley

  • Bring

    A stove

    since campfires are banned above 9,600 feet

  • Bring

    Rain and wind shell for afternoon thunderstorms, most common June through September

  • Bring

    A resupply plan

    Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows post offices accept General Delivery packages, Tuolumne roughly mid-June to mid-September

  • Bring

    Trekking poles for the loaded climb out of the valley

  • Bring

    Grippy gloves if you are adding Half Dome

  • Bring

    Maps for the sections beyond Yosemite; local rules change at every boundary

  • Bring

    Bags for packing out toilet paper

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 Past LYV (Donohue Pass eligible) — 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 Past LYV (Donohue Pass eligible)

💡 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.

Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase gear through these links, PermitSnag earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely believe in. This helps us keep the lights on and continue building tools to help you get into the backcountry.