Just an observation, but one of my few gripes about driving in Yosemite is that the speed limit there is mostly 35 or below...but if you try to keep it reasonably close, say 40, there's always a yahoo or two that thinks it doesn't apply to them, and comes riding up your rear telling you to get out of the way, and acts as though YOU'RE the one who's doing something wrong. The most consistent offby Sierrafan - General Discussion
loothi, the only other low-priced option would be Housekeeping camp, and I'm not sure it will be open...it was still very "closed" last week when we were there. Neither choice is much above a tent, and in some ways, the tent cabin is below. However, it may not be overly crowded in the valley, so you may not have so many close neighbors as you would during spring break, for example. Tby Sierrafan - General Discussion
I just don't see the point in loosening the gun laws in the National Parks. Why? To appease the gun lobby? Reading similar posts on other hiking boards I think it's a bit disturbing at how many find it necessary to pack a gun when hiking. A couple of folks I've had respect for in their knowledge of hiking/mountaneering have admitted they carry a gun, and for me, it just kills the respect I haby Sierrafan - General Discussion
The hike to Nevada falls by any combination of the Mist and John Muir trail is great, and within your hiking distance. I wouldn't worry about the Mist trail to Vernal being open...if it's not, as suggested go to Clark Point, then down to the Mist trail the rest of the way to Nevada Falls. There's really no telling whether both trails will be open the entire distance, but the combination of theby Sierrafan - General Discussion
They're blooming all over the place, get on up there...by Sierrafan - General Discussion
I considered getting a can of bear spray a few years back, when I was relatively new to Yosemite. After reading both sides of the issue, I chose not to, and after the few bears I've encountered while hiking, would not carry it if I had it. Aside from the fact that it's really not needed, there are too many things that can go wrong when using it. Just give the bear some respect and try to stayby Sierrafan - General Discussion
If you're going to do the four-mile trail to Glacier point, I agree that it's much more fulfilling to go up yourself; while it's pretty steady uphill, it's not such a strenuous hike...certainly easier than the Upper Yosemite Falls trail, though longer. However, you might consider that trail up and down one day, then take the bus to Glacier on another day, and hike down the Panorama trail to thby Sierrafan - General Discussion
You can get internet access free at the library (near the cemetery) but not wireless (the last I heard), and you need to sign up for it. The Lodge has wireless in the lobby, but requires an access code which you can pay for, or is free for guests (they expire so you can't stay once and then use that later). Like everything else there, the fee is ridiculous, though maybe no higher than the otherby Sierrafan - General Discussion
So two Yosemite mosquitoes found a hiker, and one bit him, which knocked the guy out from blood loss. The first mosquito said "I know, let's carry him up to the high country and finish him off". The second mosquito said "No, if we take him up there, the big guys will get him."by Sierrafan - General Discussion
Both the Pohono Trail (from near Tunnel View) and the Panorama Trail (from Nevada Fall) go up to Glacier point, but both are pretty long for a go & return day hike. I think the Pohono is just under 14 miles one way, and the Panorama is about 8.5 miles to Glacier from Happy Isles. Both trails are outstanding for views and scenery. I don't know much about the opening and closing of those traby Sierrafan - General Discussion
You're right about the "pure speculation" part; most of the answer depends on what the weather does from now until mid-May, so any answer is just a guess. Here are a couple of stats pages for Tioga, which is usually the same time, looks like you have a 50-50 chance overall, or thereabouts: http://www.monobasinresearch.org/data/tiogapass.htm http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopby Sierrafan - General Discussion
When I was there late in February, the construction was right at the junction of 140/120, so it stands to reason the delay would be the same. I guess there's also the slide detour on 140 which can add a few minutes, but that one's nothing compared to the wait at the valley. Since it had snowed a lot and I couldn't stay at the campground, I thought I'd give Mariposa some business so stayed and aby Sierrafan - General Discussion
mspdoc wrote: > A few questions about the "Winter Route" > > What is the distance and time from Vernal Bridge to Clark's > Point? Should be about 1.5 miles; it's 2.3 from Clark point to Happy Isles, according to the sign at Clark point. (that's the LOWER bridge, below the fall, of course; not the one up above Vernal). > What is seen from Clark's Point? As you saw frby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Thanks! A lot of good info there, just in a quick look I learned some things.by Sierrafan - General Discussion
I've never seen it open that early, and despite the warm spell that's now gone, it doesn't seem likely. The issue is generally ice. However, that's not so bad; just past the bridge below Vernal Fall, the John Muir trail takes off in the same direction, but it heads up to Clark Point (great view!!). There will be some spots where the snow overflows the trail, but it's usually not too hard to geby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Jeff, your itinerary sounds great; lots of places I have yet to get to, but reading about it makes me eager to get there. One possible suggestion, if on July 16 you're just hiking to Little Yosemite Valley for the water, is that there's a small spring along the Half Dome trail, which might save you a few miles of backtracking a trail you'll be on after Half Dome anyway. It's a short distance (mby Sierrafan - General Discussion
lilianchan wrote: > Thank you for all the advice! If we're heading down from > Sacramento, are snow chains required for any portion to get to > the Valley? > > Any favorite campsites in Upper Pines anyone? If you don't have anything reserved, you'd best get on the phone right away and see what you can get; the end of March is spring break for many, and it's always crowded. Yoby Sierrafan - General Discussion
I prefer Upper Pines for the valley access reason you mentioned. Wawona is very nice, and had virtually no snow when I was there last week. It's a whole different environment, but the valley waterfalls should be pretty impressive by then, so I'd (and we are) pick the valley. March weather is extremely unreliable. It can be sunny and warm, rain, snow, or be cold dark and foggy, or all of theby Sierrafan - General Discussion
From a seat-of-the-pants objective, there's a LOT more snow in the Valley itself than I recall seeing in the past few years. The Ahwahnee meadow has been snow covered for what seems like a couple of months now, and usually it comes and goes quickly. After my attempted visit to Upper Pines last week which had 2+ feet of snow covering the whole thing, I'm wondering how we'll do on our family Marcby Sierrafan - General Discussion
There's a bus that runs up and down 395...you might be able to leave the car at Whitney Portal, find a way back down to Lone Pine, then take the bus to Mammoth. I understand the Yarts bus runs to Mammoth when Tioga pass is open, so there would be no need to go to Merced, just get off in Yosemite. I'll leave it to you to figure out the particulars of the schedule etc. as to whether it would workby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Well, I almost don't want to explain it, because the fewer that go there, the more room there is for those that do. But... You equate Yosemite Valley to San Francisco, Berkeley, L.A., or Bakersfield? Personally, I'd rather be in Yosemite Valley any day than any of those places (though I enjoy SF at times, it's not even close). I think some are confusing the situation; folks staying at the camby Sierrafan - General Discussion
eeek wrote: > Beginning Thursday February 28 the contractor will be working 3 > shifts on the El Portal Road project. They will also begin > working Sunday nights. This will mean the traffic lights will > only be used on weekend nights and Sunday. This schedule will > continue until they are well above the river with the new > retaining walls. I think they already started it.by Sierrafan - General Discussion
There's plenty of room now, as we speak... http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse/image/93443560 and http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse/image/93443558 If you come up, knock on the bear box, I'll be inside. 8^)by Sierrafan - General Discussion
Badger may not be closed in late March, there's a heckuva lot of snow on the valley floor right now, and I remember them being open for late March visits. Not something to rely on though. The cabin may be quiet (good choice, not a tent cabin), but Curry will be swamped with kids out on spring break, though probably mostly in big groups with adult supervision. The 6-mile loop past Mirror Lake tby Sierrafan - General Discussion
We took our little dog with us the first time we camped in the valley at North Pines. Since they allowed dogs, we assumed it would work out fine. While you can have them at the campground, of course you have to take them with you when you go anywhere. This rules out the shuttle bus, and most trails. The trail from the Lodge to Mirror Lake is paved, and the walkways that go around the valley fby Sierrafan - General Discussion
After reading books like "Death in Yosemite" and similar ones, you begin to realize that a lot of accidents happen when the person isn't doing anything technically "wrong". The fact that they were ahead of the group may mean they were hurrying, or not using due care (having hiked with teen and pre-teen kids, that's a very good possibility). I've been on that trail in Februarby Sierrafan - General Discussion
My feet and knees already hurt, after reading your itinerary...8^) All good hikes, and you don't mention all the starting points; however, if starting from the valley: The Mist Trail/Vernal/Nevada is redundant if you're doing Half Dome from the valley the next day. Go up the mist trail to Nevada Falls, then on to Half Dome. You can return from Nevada falls via the John Muir if you prefer (lonby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Why worry about it then, if you don't like camping there? Stay at one of the lodgings near El Portal, and get up an hour before sunrise and drive in.by Sierrafan - General Discussion
That's a tough call, being a holiday weekend. This time of year, they only have a few of the loops open, and if you were getting there in the morning I'd say you have little to worry about. But on a Friday evening on a holiday weekend with no storm (predicted anyway) you might think about a "what'll I do, just in case?" contingency. If you have any way of heading in so you'll be therby Sierrafan - General Discussion
Vince wrote: > Nice snow pack this year, and more snow today (Feb. 2), I am > planning on visiting Yosemite Feb. 16. But the question is, > with nice weather forecast this week, will the Firefall be > visible Feb. 9? Or is that too early? It might be too early and the sun will be hitting the rock. I was there a little early in 2006 (12th) and the light hit the rock face along with tby Sierrafan - General Discussion