Before You Go
Checklist
Parking tag: $15 for the week. Buy it on recreation.gov and print it, because digital copies aren't accepted. Leave it face-up on the dashboard.
Night before: check the forecast on weather.gov, check closures on nps.gov/grsm, and confirm the drive time on Google Maps.
Maps: AllTrails downloaded for offline use on at least 2 phones. Most of the trail has no signal.
Each person brings
Water: 2 L Friday, 3 L Saturday
Lunch and snacks
Rain shell and a warm layer
Hat and gloves (Saturday)
Headlamp, and shoes with good grip
Group: first aid, a power bank, and trekking poles