I don't usually stay at Curry, but the same people are other places also. They're the ones next to you on the third floor of the motel, when they get up at 5:30 and yell (standing outside your door) down to their friends in the parking lot, about their breakfast plans and other important stuff. Then each family member has to exchange info from the same spot, as they take their bags down. Theyby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Here's a site that gives the latest info visually, plus a status report: http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/ If you have Google Earth installed (free download at Google) you can get a good visual update of what's new, old, and the direction it's going by clicking below the large photo where it says "download kmz file". Just (assuming Google Earth is already installed) click on it and choby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Reading from "Death in Yosemite" (paraphrased), the less than 2-mile Ledge trail represents over 10 percent of ALL fatal hiking and scrambling falls in Yosemite (not Yosemite Valley, Yosemite). Despite being closed to all downhill travel in 1952, despite Curry's policy of firing any employee who even used this trail, and despite its complete closure in the early '60's. Despite that, tby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Yes, that log above must be something that washed in recently; it's not the one that's been at Valley View for a long time http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse/image/74718398 or http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse/image/73832349 I doubt they'd think they could sneak that one out without anyone noticing.by Sierrafan - General Discussion
Thanks for updating us, Steve, what a fantastic experience! I've looked at Illilouette gorge and fall from the usual spots, above and below, and always thought I'd like to get up (down) there, but had no idea what it entailed. Your pics and description are very informative and nicely done. If it happens that I never get there, the video gave an excellent view of what I'd be missing. Definitelby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Probably the most dangerous "old" valley trail, from what I know. At one time I thought it would be nice to try, but since reading about it, I've decided that I don't wanna know that bad 8^). Plus, staying at the campground and listening to the 'crack' of rockfalls in many seasons, coming from that area (or looking behind Curry Village), makes it even less tempting. If you do decideby Sierrafan - General Discussion
That's very near where I camp (tent) in the winter, so I'm familiar with it, and think you'll be fine. In fact, since it's near the end of the curve, it may help for easy backing. I've seen fairly sizable motor homes in there with plenty of room. One nice part about that location is that it's easy to get to the shuttle stop, either by cutting directly over to the road, or out the entrance gateby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Vince wrote: > Us reasonably responsible gun owners don't want to fight. We're > wimpy. In general, people that go around making it a point to be prepared for a fight, want to fight. > There is no reason for the prohibition on guns in national > parks. There is no viable reason to allow guns in national parks, other than to ease the paranoia of those who aren't comfortable withoutby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Bottom line is guns are illegal in Yosemite; if you can't function without a gun, the answer is simple...don't go to Yosemite. Laws are never perfect for all situations, we all need to make concessions in the interest of getting along with the masses. If you choose to ignore which laws don't please you, you're no better than the guy who ignores the law and robs a bank because society has shortcby Sierrafan - General Discussion
y_p_w wrote: > The ratings for different bags are a crapshoot, even among the > same manufacturer. With an untested bag, I usually figure they mean you can survive at that temperature with a closed-cell pad underneath, wearing socks and sweats with your head covered tightly, and if you want to be comfortable, add another blanket 8^). I suppose the high-end bags are more reliable for raby Sierrafan - General Discussion
If you don't get a VERY early start to Half Dome (6AM or earlier) you can expect it to be crowded from the granite steps of sub-dome to the top, and back down, which is not generally fun. The trail itself isn't bad though, as people are somewhat spread out over the miles. A couple of alternatives; park at the base of the 4-mile trail, head up to Glacier point, then down the Panorama trail to thby Sierrafan - General Discussion
I just had a look at the webcams http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/index.htm and wow, what a disappointing view it would be for a valley visitor now. The air quality shows in the unhealthy category. (the Sentinel Dome cam shot is old...June 12, and the Tioga shot is ancient) Might give it a second thought if heading up there now; maybe the high country's not as bad though(?). Edit: looks lby Sierrafan - General Discussion
I remember our old canvas tents from way back, poles of baseball-bat thickness, and canvas that smelled of creosote, though I seriously doubt yours is that old. For non-backpacking tents, some of the prefs I've developed over time: A roomy tent, or two if necessary. Forget putting 6 people in a tent that "sleeps 6" 8^). Getting caught in a middle of the night rainstorm is a lot moreby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Taking 41 or 49/140 from Oakhurst is pretty much a wash if there are no construction delays. Using 41, you enter the park sooner, but it's a long winding way to the Big Oak Flat/140 intersection. I think 140 is the more scenic of the two, but there's usually a few minutes delay at the slide detour on 140. Since they're working on the Wawona tunnel, there may be some delay there, I don't know,by Sierrafan - General Discussion
I heard a presentation about this a year or so ago at the lodge. It made me think about how many stupid things we've done that may have seemed smart at the time. People like catching fish, so we stock the lakes with trout. Except it affects the whole balance, and down the road it turns out we shot ourselves in the foot. I mean, when they can get away with building a dam that floods a whole prby Sierrafan - General Discussion
The length limitations are probably a maneuvaribility issue. Those inside sites tend to be smaller, and a lot of RV's have to spend time trying to shoehorn their way in (the campground wasn't built to accomodate them). I don't know that the host or ranger at the kiosk will measure your RV, but built the way they are (one-way loops) an RV trying to get in a spot too small blocks the whole loop uby Sierrafan - General Discussion
The week before Memorial Day weekend, campgrounds were completely full, but there were a lot more tents and noticeably fewer giant RV's than I've been used to seeing. Easter week this year (end of March) was still pretty cool and there were some spaces available each day; quite a few camper-type vehicles, but not quite as many huge ones (unfortunately we were near a group of vehicles that thoughby Sierrafan - General Discussion
bpnjensen wrote: > I don't mind paying a small fee for a shower that I am not > otherwise paying for (upkeep isn't free, after all) - but $5? > That seems steep. If I were passing through or a day hiker not staying in the park or backpacking, I'd probably welcome availability of a shower at $5. But staying and paying at a campground in a location with electricity and running water wouby Sierrafan - General Discussion
abm wrote: > I ve been visiting Yosemite at regular intervals since 2006 but > never paid or saw anyone charging money for the showers. > > In anycase now there is always some attendant at the showers > and they are allowing free showers only if you ve show them > keys of your tent cabin. I've never once had any indication you have to pay for a shower there, and alwaby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Glad you had a good time. Funny how people flock to the park when it's 90 degrees, and stay away when it's 55, yet if you hike or bike around, 55 is much nicer. One interesting thing about Yosemite Valley is that even though you have to plan way ahead of time to stay there, you really don't know what you're going to get...perhaps mid-summer is an exception. We've stayed in March or April whenby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Maybe a part of an older Sierra Pt. trail? I looked on several old maps going from the 1850's to current, and saw nothing else there: (that is from 1937; does it look like the same Sierra Pt. trail we're used to?) I'm guessing where the dotted line crosses the river is the former Happy Isles Bridge where the water station is now(?) Does that Sierra Pt. trail line seem about where it took ofby Sierrafan - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
eeek wrote: > LOL! I can't remember the name either. > Clark's! (After Clark Kent? 8^) Found it here http://www.nps.gov/yose/parknews/restoration1012.htm Yes, the lighting is probably what makes your photo stand out so much; bright enough for shadows, but nice mellow diffused ones.by Sierrafan - General Discussion
When they run directly in front of you, there's not a lot you can do, but of course the faster you're going, the better the odds that you won't be able to stop, or that they won't see/hear you coming. I was a little surprised at the stats in the back of the 'Death in Yosemite' book, near the end. In a place with raging rivers, thousand(s) foot drops, no-escape waterfalls, rockfalls, places to gby Sierrafan - General Discussion
abm wrote: > I talked to a ranger middle of May and he said Pate Valley is > currently full of snakes. That's an inviting thought. Thanks for the tip on where NOT to be heading anytime soon. 8^)by Sierrafan - General Discussion
Really nicely composed, eeek, it looks like a classic painting or a photo that would be used for a jigsaw puzzle. Makes me wish I was there right now. I forgot the name of that bridge; it's one that seldom gets called by name, unlike Stoneman, Sentinel, swinging, Pohono, El Cap, Happy Isles, Ahwahnee, Sugarpine...do you (or anyone else) know the name of it? Even my various Valley maps don't shby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Here are some photos (not mine) from the Mt. Whitney area the past (Memorial day) weekend. http://www.flickr.com/photos/18022482@N00/sets/72157605294612704/ Keep in mind that Outpost camp http://www.flickr.com/photos/18022482@N00/2529754611/in/set-72157605294612704/ is the lower of the two camps on the main Whitney Trail, only at around 10,000 feet. Last year, I'd have guessed you'd have been Oby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Thanks for the info, Mike and eeek. I definitely have that trail on my list, either from below or above. It looks like the uphill trek in summer could be a hot one, with the south-facing canyon wall and open exposure for a long way: I was a little surprised to learn that Snow Creek Falls is one of the tallest in the world at 2140 feet, but it doesn't get a lot of attention since you can'tby Sierrafan - General Discussion
We were up on the Half Dome trail on May 19, which was toward the end of the long hot spell, so rivers were raging. I noticed a large sloping waterfall down Tenaya Canyon that I'd never seen before, and shot a couple of telephoto shots of it. Being in a mostly inaccessible part of Tenaya Canyon (at least when the water is running), this "from a distance" shot may be the only way to seby Sierrafan - General Discussion
There sure is: http://www.yarts.com/schedule/2008/summer120.pdf Here's a paste from the PDF if you can't get it: Mammoth Mountain Inn 7:00 AM Juniper Springs Summit 7:15 AM Mammoth Lakes Park & Ride 7:17 AM Shilo Inn 7:20 AM June Lake Ski Area Parking Lot 7:50 AM Rush Creek Trailhead Parking Lot 7:55 AM Lake View Lodge 8:20 AM Forest Service Visitor Center 8:17 AM (I dunno wby Sierrafan - General Discussion
rroland wrote: > Hey Gary, > > I picked up some of the Repel product you mentioned today, but > a thought occured to me, would the lemon scent draw bears? I > was thinking about using DEET based repellent on my self except > my face, and I was gonna use the Repel product on my face/head, > but..... Oh yeah, well, the bears, but you can just yell at them...8^)by Sierrafan - General Discussion