I'd vote Point Reyes, it might not be foggy
Here is a trip report that says August, but was actually June https://backcountrypost.com/threads/point-reyes-august-2022.10647/
The north or south rim of Yosemite Valley is totally doable in June...
Not a lottery, but it felt like it. I managed to get two nights in the Lodgepole campground in SEKI before a 5 night trip with my oldest. The actual backpacking permit was easy since very few people use the Alta trail.
My other big trips for the summer are looking like 5ish nights in the Winds...
This was posted on High Sierra Topix and I thought that people here might like to read it.
https://www.backpacker.com/trips/trapped-the-mike-turner-story/
Nancy Pallister has a little bit extra in a reply to the original post https://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=23455
Agree on the 5 days, it feels like the Winds start "slower" than the eastern Sierra.
One possible trip is Scab Creek to Dream Lake and set up your base camp. Lots of potential day hikes from there. Caltopo says about 10ish miles and 1600' of elevation.
Never mind about the Mountain Creek to Open Creek question, I found this "Now as far as I know there are no routes or paths from the Open Creek Drainage over to the Mountain Creek Drainage. The high peak ridge here between the two is really quite something" from @Kmatjhwy on this thread...
I have spent too much time in Caltopo looking at routes to get up to the Trident Plateau. I looks like a good lollipop would be Ishawooa - Open Creek to the Fish and Game cabin then up and over the Trident to Mountain Creek and then south along the Thorofare Trail and out Open Creek or Pass...
Looks like you got pretty lucky with the weather. How were the bugs?
I don't like snakes, but I guess those two are better than the rattlesnakes :)
thanks for all the photos
The lake photo right after the "east rosebud creek" one looks awesome. All the flowing water looks pretty good as well. Based on your photos, I'd definitely like to spend some time in the area.
I think it is pretty neat that you are still friends with the same group this many years later...
July or August should be fine, but weather gets a vote. I got destroyed one July with a "heat dome" over the whole southeast, but usually the Dolly Sods elevation (4000') helps to dial down the worst of summer. I've only had bug issue on one trip and it wasn't terrible and could have been avoid...
Definitely need to account for the drive time/transaction cost of switching between Winds and Tetons. I agree with everyone, one or the other but not both unless you have way more than a week.
Lake Solitude looks awesome
Just shy of 20 miles with that elevation is a serious day and then the drive on both ends. I would have been wiped :)
great way to wrap up Summer 2023
Cool photos of Hebgen and Earthquake Lakes, it is an area I'd like to check out at some point.
I like the waterfall photos and I really like the Castle Geyser with the rainbow.
Let me know when you go back to school for geology, I might join you :)
I can't really answer your questions, but I'll try with the caveat that I've never hiked the PCT or really done any research about the logistics. I live in KY so I do have some knowledge of east coast to west coast hiking. There are not a lot of PCT hikers here, you might also try asking these...