Hello Everyone,
First off, I know Yosemite on the 4th of July week is likely not my brightest idea. I actually had 7 days reserved in the valley at the end of May and many great hikes planned, but the military decided to move me from California to Japan so I had to cancel. I find myself back in California next week. I was lucky enough to pick up a cancelled reservation to hike Mount Whitney on the 4th of July and on the way back home I plan to swing through Yosemite. This will be 5 July. Any advice or recommendations on finding a campground during this busy week?
At the moment I have just been checking Recreation.gov a few times everyday hoping to pick up a cancellation. If I can't get a reservation, my back-up plan is to get there super early on the 5th hoping to catch someone leaving a first-come first-served site. Maybe White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, or Porcupine Flat. From these locales I could hike May Lake, North Dome, or drive a little up the road to do Clouds Rest again or Upper Catherdral Lake (since I decided not to venture off from the lower lake last time). My back-up to the back-up would be to roll down to the valley and see if I can get something that was cancelled. I'm not sure how that system works though.
Anyways...It is on my way home (sort of) and this year they are giving away free park passes to military, so I have nothing to lose. Just trying to guage if I will be successful, so I don't build my hopes up to much. Thank you, James.