Re: Dayhiking South Rim options

Which is best? Please suggest alternatives and criticize the options I present.

1. Park car at 4.7 mile trailhead, hike to GP, down to Tunnel View via Pohono. Hitchhike (hopefully) back to car.

2. Park car at Tunnel View, hike Pohono to GP, down to valley via 4-mile or panorama/mist. Hitchhike back to Tunnel.

3. Park car at Lodge; hitchhike, or take GP tour bus, to Tunnel. Hike to GP, hike down 4-mile, cross Merced via Swinging Bridge, walk back to Lodge. Or hike to H.I., take shuttle back to Lodge.

You could just start at GP and hitch a ride when you get to tunnel view.

What about: start at Lodge or Sentinel Bridge shuttle stop, go up 4MT, then across and down the Pohono, but follow the old Wawona Road to Bridalveil instead of dropping to Tunnel View, then head around/across the valley floor to somewhere that the El Cap shuttle stops, taking that back to your start (after a transfer or two...)

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KC
You could just start at GP and hitch a ride when you get to tunnel view.

Driving up to GP cheapens the experience, imho. Want as much exercise as possible. I've hiked virtually all of the south rim in several parts (multiple trips), but never in a single hike.

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basilbop
What about: start at Lodge or Sentinel Bridge shuttle stop, go up 4MT, then across and down the Pohono, but follow the old Wawona Road to Bridalveil instead of dropping to Tunnel View, then head around/across the valley floor to somewhere that the El Cap shuttle stops, taking that back to your start (after a transfer or two...)

How often does the El Cap shuttle run? I've heard varying schedules: every 30 min, 1 hour, 90 min. 6PM is the last departure time from the Visitor Center, I'm assuming. If I get back early enough, a trek up to OMG. Clockwise or counter, including the El Cap Shuttle sounds good. Knowing me, I'll dally around many of the vista points and miss the last shuttle run completely. End up walking back to the car on foot, lol.

According to the shuttle guide on the NPS site (Hope it's a recent one..) El Cap Shuttle runs from 9-6, 10-20 minute intervals.. anyone with experience like to comment? I don't think the shuttle drivers care about schedules. They seem to go as fast as conditions permit.. Except for that break spot at the regular shuttle's #10 spot.
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When were you thinking of going? As far as I know, the El Cap shuttle won't start running for another few weeks*. I was in the valley this week and saw no sign of it. In previous years it was running every 30 minutes.

I've only ridden the El Cap shuttle a few times. I don't find it that big a help for getting to and from the Four Mile Trailhead. I usually walk-- from Stop 7, or from Yosemite Lodge (if I'm arriving on YARTS) or even from Lower Pines (if I'm camping).

I guess if I were going to the El Cap area, the shuttle would make a difference. Sometimes I wish it ran to the Bridalveil Fall area.

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*I stand corrected -- just saw this.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/24/2013 07:51PM by gophersnake.

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gophersnake
When were you thinking of going? As far as I know, the El Cap shuttle won't start running for another few weeks*. I was in the valley this week and saw no sign of it. In previous years it was running every 30 minutes.

I've only ridden the El Cap shuttle a few times. I don't find it that big a help for getting to and from the Four Mile Trailhead. I usually walk-- from Stop 7, or from Yosemite Lodge (if I'm arriving on YARTS) or even from Lower Pines (if I'm camping).

I guess if I were going to the El Cap area, the shuttle would make a difference. Sometimes I wish it ran to the Bridalveil Fall area.

I'll be in the Park this coming Sun-Mon. Yea, I find it a bit annoying that they don't have shuttle service to Bridalveil/Tunnel area. South Rim is a bit tougher to dayhike than the North counterpart.

Park at tunnel view, hike Pohono to GP, catch a ride with someone returning to the valley
You'll arrive at GP at a time of day when people are heading back to the valley, you'll have someone to talk to on the way back, and you'll have quite a story to share
It might feel uncomfortable asking around, but I'm sure you'll find someone