Yosemite Park to POSSIBLY re-open first week of June

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From a conference call at 9am this morning with the Superintendent of Yosemite... Let me emphasize, ALL OF THIS CAN CHANGE AT ANY TIME. This is merely a representation of the call this morning and it was to invitees only and has not even been presented to local communities or some government offices yet.

- Hope to announce at end of this week (5/18 - 5/22) actual plans, so everything below can CHANGE.

- The plan right now is to reopen first week of June (don't know exact date). THIS CAN CHANGE!

- Goal to control capacity to 50% of 2019 average day through day use passes.

- 2000 cars/day allowed for people staying in the park.

- 1700 cars allowed for day use.

- Average day last year was ~6400 cars/day to Yosemite Valley, and ~7500 for the whole park.

- Passes will be available online to reserve from 2-30 days out. At the beginning of this program you MUST go online to reserve a pass. You can NOT just drive to the gate and get into the park. There is an expectation that things will change and adapt and you MAY be able to get a day of pass.

- The NPS will not be acting as the Social Distance police. It will be incumbent upons people to be responsible for themselves. At your own risk.

- Tioga pass reopening is still weeks away, possibly mid June.

- Valley shuttle will not be operating. Bikes are encouraged.

- YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation) will be running from local communities.

- 60 sites at Lower Pines will open

- 81 sites at Upper Pines will open (edit: I should have said North Pines. It looks like Upper Pines won't open in this first round of openings)

- Backpackers campgrounds will open.

- At this time other campgrounds will NOT open.

- There will probably be limitations on popular areas like Tunnel View, one way trails, etc...

I'll update as I learn more....

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So today's update, which comes from information from another meeting...

- I cannot emphasize enough that my previous post and this one are merely reports of TENTATIVE PLANS.

- Half Dome cables go up June 5th

- Campground listed in my first post seem to be the only ones planned for the initial opening phase. No word on when other campgrounds may open.

- YARTS (and NOT the in-Valley shuttle) will be operational. No word on any expanded schedules.

- Backcountry permits and camping will be allowed, however it is likely it will be through the online reservation system only and you PROBABLY won't be able to get a walk-up, day of permit.

- There is a possibility that actual locals (they did not define the exact definition of a local, but gateway communities probably) may be able to day-use the park without reservations. No guarantee!! Edit: This is in no way meant to say non-locales will be excluded. Only meant to convey that possibly locals will not be part of the day use quota system.

- Still seems likely they will allow someone to transit the park (simply drive through without out stopping) but there is concern as to how they do this without abuse.

Still absolutely no real clue as to how the entry reservations will work between people who are staying in the park (hotels, campgrounds, backcountry) versus the day use. There is talk of possibly QR codes that will be issued to overnight folks, so it seems possible (and contrary to my guessing in the previous post) that whatever method you use to make an overnight reservation will include your entry pass to the park. Again, you will still need to pay your regular entrance fees or show a parks pass to have those fees waived. So it's possible (likely?) that the only folks who need to make an online entry reservation will be the Day Use folks. We shall see....

Will update again if I learn more...

Edit... First couple comments interpreted this post as meaning non-locals would be excluded from day use. This is ABSOLUTELY not the message I am trying to convey and to be frank, no way in hell that is what would happen.

Edit2: Article posted this morning (wednesday 5/20)...

https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/1064442/yosemite-considering-june-partial-reopening.html

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Coolburn
I CARE! Thanks for the update, I have multiple contingent plans in Yosemite this summer: ...Yosemite West Cabin...

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Coolburn
I've been informed that the NPS will accept documentation of reservations at Cabins inside the park.

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abetterpitchfork
Not sure if anyone beyond Corntortilla cares, but since I posted the first message here, I may as well post the update: