Re: Interesting article on older yosemite

I've said for a long time Yosemite is my favorite place in the world. And mostly what I meant by that is Yosemite Valley. But the Valley is necessarily the destination, it is the gateway to adventure. For years living in Chicago I had to plan expensive and complicated trips to get to that gateway. I now compare where I live now, Anchorage, to Yosemite Valley. I am surrounded by world class hikes that are 10-20 minutes away from my house. I gaze at the beauty from my workplace and daydream about summitting those peaks.

I wish people would not complain so much about the crowds and traffic and attempt to place more restrictions on use. I have always found it relatively easy to avoid the crowds if I want.

Folks in Alaska say Anchorage is great because it is only 20 minutes from Alaska. The same thing could be said about Yosemite Valley.

Great reference. Thanks. I agree, though, that it's not very hard to avoid the crowds. The last time I stayed in the Valley, my car didn't move for four days. I didn't need it. And you can lose the crowds in a few minutes by just heading up Indian Canyon or the abandoned Old Big Oak Flat Road. Even the Snow Creek Trail is relatively tourist-free....

When I am riding the shuttle in the valley, it's like being in a petting zoo. A close-up view of how the other 99.9% lives. Don't let it bother you. If there is a problem, it's inside your head.

Of course, I don't try to drive in or out of the valley during gridlock hours in the summer.

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And you can lose the crowds in a few minutes by just heading up Indian Canyon or the abandoned Old Big Oak Flat Road. Even the Snow Creek Trail is relatively tourist-free...

One doesn't even need to do that. Just park in a pullout along Northside or Southside Drive west of the Yosemite Lodge/Swinging Bridge and walk just 50 feet away from the pullout. The crowds and cars vanishes!

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