The upper section holds it's snow a long time- I've turned back 2/3rds of the way up in early May. There's noone there to tell you NOT to go- bring Yaktrax and poles just in case.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Sorry guys, one more try with FF's adviceby Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Thought I did, but new to Snapfish. Will try the links. 1) http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=466392022/PictureID=11596762022/a=471346022_471346022/t_=471346022 2) http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=466392022/PictureID=11595929022/a=471346022_471346022/t_=471346022by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Hope this works- my first time posting pics. Snow moving up the valley, shot from Sierra Point. Upper Yo Falls from the switchbacks.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Keep looking every night- I saw 2 nights in a row pop up last night in U.P., it was gone by this morning- people cancel all the time. There's always "Yosemite Pines" and "Yosemite Lakes" just outside the park- seems like they always have availability. Also Mariposa KOA isn't too bad.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
I'm doing a similar BP trip in early June- brutal for permits. The workaround is: extend your trip by 1 day- start at any trailhead OTHER than Happy Isles, spend 1st night there. After that you can pretty much hike/camp anywhere you like, and finish at H.I. They really just look at you starting trailhead and 1st night camping destination.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Don't forget- 40% of the permits are 1st come 1st serve, if you're feeling lucky.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
MM is right- I have the same setup in my van (converted Dodge Sprinter) and a 3 amp solar panel on the roof (which charges great EVEN in the valley under trees) and I can run TV/radio, 3 lights and a fan for 3 days. One ranger I spoke with last week said with all the budget cuts to the parks, they just don't have the manpower to patrol anymore. One ranger at a park near my house (Napa area) saidby Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Bwaahaaaahaaa! Sign me up. I'm bringing tiny potatoes for those tiny little exhaust pipes next time. Long live All-Quieta!by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
FF- I agree with that point of view. I just feel that if you are going to take on the responsibility of piloting a 5 ton vehichle, you should take the time time learn how to manage it's systems. Charge up in the evening and you're good until late morning- they even give you a "generator ethics" speech (similar to the "food storage" speech" in the valley when you check in iby Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Story goes like this: Roll into Upper Pines for my Spring camping/hiking trip (I camp in the valley 4 times a year in my self-converted van, complete with solar) at 11:45, 15 minutes before check-in. Not only are the last campers still in the site, which is rare, but they are not even present much less getting ready to bail. I park in front of the site and wait- finally a Euro couple arrive and Sby Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Does anyone know approximately how long after Tioga Road opens the bus starts running? Thanks!by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Thanks for the update!by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
BTW Y.P.W.- I'm running Safari on a Mac and have good luck on the site. Yesterday I got 3 consecutive nights at U.P. during Spring Break; 2 times "no inventory", 3rd time was a charm.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
The secret to getting rezzies in the valley (especially during busy times) is to keep trying! People snap up huge blocks of days right at the "on sale" date, then discard them over the next few days as they finalize their vacation plans (it's only a $10 charge). Try this: each time this week you go on the internet, open a second window in your browser to Recreation.gov with your dates aby Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Okay, so here's a question; when do you think the rude valley visitors stop coming? School goes back in? After Labor Day? Cold weather starts?by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Oh yeah, that's assuming you don't have some monster-long tow rig! Of course people cheat it- see "trailer lengths" post. -J.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
You'll be fine. In those sites you can hang the back of your rig over the end of the pad (and over the half cement log thingies) if need be. Some other sites have boulders or trees right behind, though. -J.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
As you know, there are different site lengths. Many people seem to make a "too short" site work by parking their tow vehicle across the pad in front of the trailer. Doesn't make it right for those of us who don't cheat on our vehicle size, though. -J.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Boy, I know last year was way down on snow, but I was VERY suprised with how much snow is still on the valley trails! The drive in (Hwy 120): At the Crane Flat summit area (@6000 ft?) there was consistently 4 to 6 foot snow banks alongside the road! I saw 2 rangers heading out on skis at Merced Grove trailhead. I found the roadwork delays not so bad- 20 minutes one time and 5 another. The Valley:by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Thanks for the report Gary- there are worse places to sit in your car for half an hour, right? J.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Got rezzies next weekend- from the SF Bay area 120 and 140 are exactly the same time-wise (we prefer the scenery of El Portal). The website claims 30 minute delays on 120, and 45 minutes on 140. Will be arriving at sundown, so the quicker the better. Any advice? Eeek? J.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
The 140 (El Portal) entrance can get backed up because it just has the one toll station (although if there's a long line they ask who has a season pass and wave you around-nice bonus!). Wawona has 2 or 3, right? 140 is arguably the prettiest though-along the river the whole time!by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
So many posts turn to this topic, I thought I would start a new one. I find myself between the "rules". I drive (and stay in over 30 nights a year) a camper van. We all know the rules for cars- ZERO tolerance- however for "RV's" the rule is simply all windows covered, nothing in sight. I often have several days of food in the fridge and 2 people's toiletries - this takes 15+ mby Jmesenburg - General Discussion
I think your last plan is a very good one. You didn't mention if you're hiking (and you said "we"- are you with a lady friend?) so I will assume you're interested in short day hikes. My call is; Day 1) Nevada Fall via Mist Trail up & John Muir down/lunch at Curry Village. Day 2) Taft point & Sentinel Dome in the morning/Brunch at the Wawona hotel/Mariposa Grove in the afternoonby Jmesenburg - General Discussion
If one is not farmilliar with the road it's an hour from the valley to fish camp. Also, Tunnel View is awesome, but I.M.O. it's not worth a lot of planning. The hikes in the Glacier Point area deserve most of your time! J.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
Saw a bunch of nice big ones in Mariposa Grove last Sunday!by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
What do people do with their fully-loaded packs while going up and down the cables?by Jmesenburg - General Discussion
You can get one for $5 for the whole trip when you pick up your wilderness permit.by Jmesenburg - General Discussion