This article has a good picture of Hetch Hetchy before the dam plugged things up: <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=14476?by Vince - General Discussion
Whether or not the natural firefall occurs depends on clear or partly cloudy weather at sunset and whether or not it's warm enough for the tiny waterfall to be flowing on the east side of El Capitan. And for full effect given the above two conditions, hope for lots of pollution in the central valley so the waning sunlight is scattered into oranges and reds. Nowadays the only given is the pollutioby Vince - General Discussion
RWL, while you're at it: http://www.amadorcountychamber.com/Daffodil%20Hill.htm Scheduled to open March 17! I've never been there, it's not far from Yosemite. Spring wildflowers in Yosemite are really hard to gauge, but the weather's been so wonderful the last couple weeks I'm sure you'll find something. I would also recommend Hwy 180 out of Fresno up and over into Kings Canyon in mid-Apby Vince - General Discussion
http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_52978.shtmlby Vince - General Discussion
forrestranger I too took photos of the camera monkeys...LOL If you were there the 18th, you missed me by a few hrs. I spent the Sunday morning walking around the village, rained all morning, then took off around noon or so and went to Hetch Hetchy, my first visit, of course the skies cleared in the afternoon and I'm snapping my fingers saying "firefall must be good tonight." Oh well theby Vince - General Discussion
I failed to mention I plan on patronizing the author at his book signing on the 31st of this month and donate a couple copies to the Mariposa museumby Vince - General Discussion
Forrestranger: I kinda forgot about this, there was no real firefall when I was there, the water was just trickling off the east side of El Capitan and it was a cloudy day. However, the sun did break through the clouds a few times, and the water trickling down made the big rock nice, wet, shiny. With a handheld Canon G6 I managed this shot. I had to fuss with the settings a little to get thby Vince - General Discussion
New book comes out later this month. Looks kinda interesting if you're into that sort of thing. http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=22936by Vince - General Discussion
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/local/story/13365710p-13987617c.html The link includes a 2 minute video.by Vince - General Discussion
http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/33566.htmlby Vince - General Discussion
Will go up from $20 to $25 in 2008, year pass from $40 to $50. http://www.mymotherlode.com/News/article/kvml/1171498244by Vince - General Discussion
Maybe try one of these numbers? I'm sure most of them don't want you to call. I'm going over there this weekend, just wait for me to post if you don't want to annoy someone in or near the valley. I'm taking my computer with me. http://www.yosemitefun.com/Yosemite_National_Park_phone_numbers.htmby Vince - General Discussion
Not sure why this didn't show up on my news page earlier. I guess the recent rain helped the slide slip a little more than it has been over the past few months. http://www.mercedsunstar.com/local/story/13293078p-13922657c.htmlby Vince - General Discussion
I have watched Huell's show about the Firefall a minimum of 20 times and even gave out copies of his Yosemite Week as birthday and Christmas presents. A couple years ago I was in Yosemite in mid-March and saw Horsetail Fall going crazy and wasn't happy that I couldn't have been in the park the month before. At the time I was living in San Diego, now I live much closer (Reno/Sparks) so I mean whaby Vince - General Discussion
Could someone please keep an eye on horsetail (el capitan) fall and let us know if the Firefall is ablaze? I've never seen it in person and I wouldn't mind hopping over the hill to check it out. Vince Sparks NVby Vince - General Discussion
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/07/BAGU7O04FL1.DTL Liberals are between a rock and a hard place on this subject IMO.by Vince - General Discussion
This is a warm set of storms, could be more rain than snow. We're bracing ourselves for possible flooding here in Truckee Meadows (Reno/Sparks).by Vince - General Discussion
ahem, letterknit..."Dubya" did. Well, at least the proposal is on the table, who knows what the lawmakers will do with this part of it. Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-02-04-budget-parks_x.htmby Vince - General Discussion
Found this on the net from a Yuba county web site. An excerpt from a NPS release that Google finds only two references to: "On February 6, 2007 from 12 pm to 2 pm, a Yosemite Forum presentation will be given to summarize the numerous studies and research efforts conducted in Tuolumne this summer. Information from this work will be used to prepare both the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Compby Vince - General Discussion
This was in Prairie Redwoods SP http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/nation/16549666.htmby Vince - General Discussion
If you have a gun, I assume you plan to use it, if necessary. I understand the NP policy and also CHP policy but there is protection afforded by the Bill of Rights, which supercedes all other law. Have fun, hope you don't need 2nd Amendment on your travels. Vinceby Vince - General Discussion
Storm moved through, sunny skies this weekend, Yosemite should be really pretty, time for a road trip! Anyone in the vicinity of the valley who can give road conditions? Do I really need to lug chains along? I'll probably come in via Mariposa (need a visit to the mineral museum, too). Thanks!by Vince - General Discussion
You might also want to read the excellent Mt. Whitney portal store web reactions to this here: http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005394;p=0&r=npwmby Vince - General Discussion
I assume a group decision, after thought, the Nat Parks pass and the Golden Eagle are history in favor of a cover-all-bases $80 fee which also expands to national forest fees. I assume this new card will cover the entrance fee to the Minarets/Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile area west of Mammoth east of Yosemite (actually used to be part of the fledgling Yosemite jurisdiction). Not sure of all the impby Vince - General Discussion
From the Fresno Bee: By Marek Warszawski / The Fresno Bee12/20/06 03:58:28 Starting next month, central San Joaquin Valley residents will be digging deeper into their wallets to visit national parks and forests. Federal officials this month unveiled a new interagency pass program that will give holders access to not only Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks but also fee areas oby Vince - General Discussion
Perhaps it will open by Xmas for a day or two? X your fingersby Vince - General Discussion
Great views are a matter of perspective. I have no respect for laziness when it comes to grabbing a photo. Be creative. TAKE A HIKE http://www.hikeofyourlife.com/yosefalls_album.htmlby Vince - General Discussion
I am asking in advance this time since I was late in inquiry last winter and missed it by a week. Fire fall is only 3 months away give or take, please post here or in new topic that the fire fall is visible. I'm not as far away from Yosemite as I used to be (San Diego). Thanks a bunch Vince Sparks NVby Vince - General Discussion
Good find, eeek! Kind of proves the point, doesn't it...only two of the listed 15 attacks occurred in the Sierra...and only 15 verified attacks since 1890! I have dozens of pictures of bears, deer, marmots, etc. but not one Mountain Lion yet, I hope someday I can nab a photo of one, hopefully not from the inside looking out! Thanks, Vince http://www.hikeofyourlife.com/images/upperfalls-halfdome.by Vince - General Discussion
Isn't this overly cautious? What is the history of cougar attacks in Yosemite Valley? Vince http://www.hikeofyourlife.com/images/lowerfalls.JPGby Vince - General Discussion