thinking about doing lyell peak / lyell canyon -
i need a permit correct? can i do this over the phone? not sure if i'll be there during business hours.
also i hear this trail can be crowded? does that mean yosemite valley crowded? boy scout troop crowded? or just 'you'll see 20 people' crowded?
if it is indeed crowded are there other trails similar that you'd recommend? don't need to be the tallest/biggest/furthest just need solitude and beauty.
thanks for any input, this will be my first multi-day hike in the sierra since i moved to sf from utah, looking forward to it!