Vince, thanks for the article. By definition, I believe that all of us who cherish our visits to Yosemite and other National Parks, are the ultimate "conservationists." I want my children and grandchildren to see it as Nature has created it to the fullest extent possible. My fear is that the Robert Redfords and the extreme members of the Sierra Club want the parks all to themselvesby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
I think everyone should give Half Dome a try at least once. While I don't disagree with Vince, I always recommend an earlier start time around 6:00 a.m. for a first-timer. I know 1 mph doesn't sound like a fast pace and even that would get you there in Vince's 9-4 time frame. But 1 mph in the mountains can be fast for some people especially if they aren't used to altitude or just aren't used tby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
The link is the current pet policy in Yosemite. http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/pets.htm "These regulations protect both pets and wildlife from disease and each other. The National Park Service has prohibited pets on trails for many years. In particular, dogs chase wildlife, pollute water sources, and can become defensive and dangerous in unfamiliar surroundings. Pet owners have thby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
As of today (12-14-07) is there snow on the valley floor/roads or just at the higher elevations? Thanks.by wbmyosemite - General Discussion
Ditto that! And while they are "paving", I hope they put up some bigger signs that say "NO PETS." Is it too much to expect people to obey simple signs? For some reason, a lot of people in this country think that rules apply to everyone else but themselves. I've seen pets all the way up to the Half Dome steps and the park rangers refuse to do anything about it. Okay, offby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
Thanks Jon. I can always count on you and the other regular here for the best Yosemite infor and updates anywhere.by wbmyosemite - General Discussion
How's the trail up to the cables? I have been away from California so I don't know if there's any ice/snow up there, or if it's still dry. If anyone knows the trail conditions to the top, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.by wbmyosemite - General Discussion
AHHHH....the very reason I like this forum. Eventually, you will find good information from someone. A lot of guessing and speculation goes on here (including from me!), but usually not of the medical kind. From what I've read on the topic in scientific and medical articles on the topic KenM did a very nice (and pretty respectful job) of debunking some of the myths out there. It's been well-eby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
I don't find this on the maps I have. Is it in the YNP boundaries and how do you get there?by wbmyosemite - General Discussion
#1. There is SO much information (and actual true-life experiences) about the Half Dome hike that you could spend a whole month reading it all. So anyone that doesn't know what they are getting into just didn't take the time to read and prepare. Before I die I want to hike the John Muir Trail from Yosemite to Mount Whitney. Again, there are tons of stories detailing that 210 miles. I couldby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
I have hiked to the top of Half Dome 11 times over the years. I enjoy it more each time, although it is hard work. I don't think it's particularly dangerous IF you stay inside the cables. I, too, have seen many people go down very fast on the outside of the cables and I always thought if they lost their grip for even a second, they would be in trouble. I saw one guy go out about 20 feet horizby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
It's okay. A lighter Yosemite sky-blue might be worth a shot. But this is okay. Something to try.by wbmyosemite - General Discussion
I've never found going up or down scary. Going up is much harder I think. It's pretty steep in some sections. Coming down is quite easy especially if you go down as if you are going down a ladder. You just kinda feed yourself down. Going up after a long hike to get to the cables is the hard part for me. But definitely worth the effort when you get to the top. The posted picture is pretby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
Eeek, I might have missed it in one of the posts. But has YNP announced when the cables will be up for the season? Thanks.by wbmyosemite - General Discussion
The trailhead sign states 8.2 miles to Half Dome, but I think that's via the Mist Trail to Nevada Falls and then the John Muir Trail the rest of the way. If you take the John Muir Trail the entire way, I believe it is an extra mile both up and down. (I think it's about another half mile from the Wilderness Parking Lot to the trailhead.) Usually, when I do Half Dome, I go up the Mist Trail to Nby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
Thanks. I never heard it called by that name. I like that route to Nevada Falls and Half Dome and then I usually come down the Mist Trail.by wbmyosemite - General Discussion
Yeah, you got me on that one! The campgrounds are neither beautiful nor grand. I stayed at Upper Pines one time and I promised myself I would never do that again. Just too crowded for my tastes. When possible, I like to get a wilderness permit and sleep overnight up near White Wolf or nearby locations. That's the interesting thing - one of thousands - about Yosemite. You can be around sby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
Here I go again...but I can't help myself. I certainly HOPE the Park is explicity strict about group numbers. If not, why have the number? Just make up your own number. We live in a world where more and more people think the rules are made for everyone but themselves. From Yosemite speed limits, taking pets on hiking trails, to feeding wild animals, people think that it's okay to bend the ruby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
I've tried to go to Yosemite 4-6 times per year every year since 1985 and I've never had a problem. I have heard that there is some theft at the popular parking spots like Glacier Point, but only if you leave expensive valuables visible in your car. If you take the normal precautions. put things in your trunk, I think it is pretty safe. The only problem I really see - and I don't know if itby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
This is the current condition of SR 108 SR 108 IS CLOSED FROM 7.2 MI EAST OF STRAWBERRY (TUOLUMNE CO) TO 5.3 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF US 395 (MONO CO) /SONORA PASS/ - WINTER CLOSURE - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE You can check all CA mountain routes at this link. http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/mtnhwys.htmby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
Yes, I thought it was a big no-no too. But during my annual hike to Half Dome each of the last 4 years, I have never been on the trail where I have not seen a dog, or dogs between Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. And I have seen a few between Nevada Falls and the Cables. I've mentioned it to Park Rangers, but they say they are too busy to do anything about it. What's bad about something like thby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
Sorry about that. I should keep my "semi-knowlege" to myself. I think park enforcement on a lot of things is very hit and miss in any case. They give some solo hiker a big fine being in the backcountry who has no wilderness permit who is 5 miles from the next backpacker, and yet I've seen people with multiple, huge dogs on the Half Dome trail and the rangers don't say a thing - eveby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
I'm not trying to be the moralist here, but I didn't think the Park Rangers allowed sleeping inside the Park. I have personally seen them with flashlights going from car to car and writing citations during the summer months. In the winter, I guess there are so few people there that maybe they don't care. But in the summer - and I could be wrong about this - I think they will cite you for sleepby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
Well, there are so many factors that it is really impossible to give you assurance. I have seen strong 16 year-olds that couldn't make it and I met a couple from Japan at the top and they were 75 years old and celebrating a wedding anniversary. They didn't look as tired as I did and I was 30 years younger than they were at the time. In many ways the hike, except for the distance, is too manyby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
While Yosemite Falls is usually dry by then, Vernal and Nevada Falls often have some nice flows throughout the year. Some of my best hikes to Half Dome have been in September. Fewer people, and I have some great September pictures of Vernal and Nevada Falls from that month. (You go by both on the 8.2 mile hike up to Half Dome.) Not the huge water volume of May and June, but still very picturesby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
Whooohooooooo! Great, thanks for the info. I'm not crazy enough to go Memorial weekend, but next week I may have to give it a shot. Again, thanks for your continued efforts to keep us updated on the latest Yosemite news. I just read your Hwy 140 posts. Open...oops, no closed! Well 140 is always strange in that way.by wbmyosemite - General Discussion
As the host stated, you will have no problem with pullouts on Hwy 120. There are many. I guess I just wanted to compliment you on asking about the turnouts. My unofficial survery (after approx. 20 years of going to Yosemite) indicates that only about 30% of those who should (at least occasionally) use the turnouts actually do. The other 70% mosey along at 15-20 mph while 20 cars back up behindby wbmyosemite - General Discussion
Thanks! I'll check back in a week, or so.by wbmyosemite - General Discussion