[pct-l] Question about Yosemite side trip

[Frank Dumville]

This link describes the lottery for getting a Half Dome day hike permit. The main lottery date has already passed, but there are also daily lotteries. 
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm

A number of permits are reserved for overnight backcountry trips but most of these go pretty fast 24 weeks ahead of time.

I think your best option would be to stop by the Tuolumne permit office to see if there happen to be any over night permits that include Half Dome available. The Yosemite JMT webpage states that the PCT permit in only good for camping along the PCT. If you camp on any of the side trails you need a permit with an itinerary for that trail.

I haven't been there, but I have heard many suggest that nearby Cloud's Rest is as good or better than Half Dome and not so crowded. You could probably do that as a day hike for which you would not need a permit. 

Snap