Upper Yosemite Falls past the gate?

Hey everyone,

Planning a trip to Yosemite soon. Does anyone know what the situation is with the winter closure gate on Upper Yosemite Falls trail? Is it closed for the season already? If so, is there a penalty for crossing it or is it just meant to make people think twice before continuing?

Thanks!

Penalty other than sliding around on icy granite and possibly getting flattened by rockfalls? Don't know, but if you jump one of the gates like that, take traction devices and the sense to turn around if things get bad. There's a reason they close gates on trails like that - they want people to stay off icy, unsafe trails.

Fair enough. I have traction gear; I wasn't sure if they were being overly protective.

Should all go fine, is there a park-imposed penalty?

The gate on Yosemite Falls trail is rarely closed. I haven't heard of it being closed for years.
MAYBE it was closed when we got the huge dump... but I highly doubt it.
There's a chance may go check out the snow cone nxt weekend. If so I'll let you know.
But I'd be v. surprised if it's closed.

Have fun

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Sweet. That is good news.

The JMT up to Clark is more dangerous than Yose Falls trail IMHO.
And that route is open all year. Hiking sticks and kahtoolas and you'll be fine.
Well... it's all we ever needed.

Some ranger on the phone at the visitor center said we needed crampons and
ice axe to go Pohono. So I'd be wise what advice you get from anyone.
(and I have no problem you including me in that group) (and obviously if you
are not comfy... then turn around... don't go up something u can't get back down)

And have fun

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The upper falls trail gate was open last Thursday.

Take a look at this:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,22378,22603#msg-22603

That is the traverse. and one of the reasons they would close the trail...
but I haven't heard of them closing it lately... but I could be wrong. It certainly isn't listed now.

Have fun and be safe

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YJ,
Here's what it looked like on Saturday:

Some people were turning around. The cone was incredible.
Have fun (actually I took a video for you 'near' the cone... )

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Chick-On
actually I took a video for you 'near' the cone...

Love to see that video. Can you post it?
I bet it is an amazing crackling sound as the water and ice tumbles on to that pile.

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chick-on
YJ,
Here's what it looked like on Saturday:

What? You weren't home watching your beloved Packers play the 49ers. No wonder they lost!

(Or did you get back to a TV in time to watch the game?)

.

I just record the games and watch them when I get home on Sunday night usually.

In this instance I watched 3 1/2 games. (I couldn't handle the Packer game so after about 5 minutes in the 3rd quarter
I just went to the end to avoid the strain on my heart and to see if I should watch anymore)

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chick-on
I just record the games and watch them when I get home on Sunday night usually.

DVR is the only way to go with NFL games. I'll usually start watching an hour to an hour and a half after kickoff and still will catch up to it being live before the game is over.

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oakroscoe
DVR is the only way to go with NFL games.

No, finding a good book to read is the only way to go with NFL games.

Yeah, the book is always better. More character development.
I don't know why they even bother with these motion pictures. Definitely a fad.

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A book isn't going to tell me if SF covered the spread against ATL and I made money.

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chick-on
YJ,
Here's what it looked like on Saturday:

Some people were turning around. The cone was incredible.
Have fun (actually I took a video for you 'near' the cone... )

dosnt look to bad with those trees below the slope, a cliff and it would be a different story. Did you make the hike with snow shoes or just boots?

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ryanmj
dosnt look to bad with those trees below the slope, a cliff and it would be a different story. Did you make the hike with snow shoes or just boots?

Sometimes the pictures make it look worse than it is. YMMV
Mentioned it elsewhere but ...
Boots with kahtoolas and hiking sticks.
Actually almost all the valley trails are used so much that in my experience
it's not very often you have to bust out anything but some sticks and
microspikes to get to Top of Nevada, up Snow Creek, up to Top of Yosemite,
and up to Inspiration Pt. Reason is simply b/c of the number of peeps
who don't use snowshoes and posthole away. After 20 people go thru
the trail is compacted and narrow and snowshoes are useless and/or just
a burden due to their width.
On the "Just Lurking" thread... when we went up to Nevada we were the
first up there after copius amounts of snow... so snowshoes were
necessary... now... I guarantee it's stomped down and you can hike all
the way up without too much problem. Of course some would lead you
to believe that LYV is inaccesible in winter. hmmph

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