Hey Nyker, next time you come out, try what I did for my Grand Canyon crossing preparations: Clouds Rest plus Half Dome from Happy Isles. I took a cross-country route between the CR switchback at 8050' and the CR-HD saddle. Only minor bushwhacking, and once at the level saddle, go southwest and hit the HD trail in about 5 minutes.
Hey Steve,
Interesting...we did do the HD/RC combo a few years back in 2009 in a long day from happy Isles and was great! Saw two bears and zero people from HD to CR and had the summit to ourselves. I'd have to investigate that shortcut - how much mileage did it save?
