One thing to keep in mind is that when Yosemite is "crowded" it's not like going to Disneyland on a busy Saturday where it's shoulder to shoulder people. In my experience, "crowded" means there might be a few slower people in front of you on the Mist Trail stairs and a couple of minutes wait to be at the front of the railing at Glacier Point. And even in those cases, it's stby Mixolydian - General Discussion
Perhaps it is less pleasant to be wet early in the morning. In any case, it's always good to have a poncho in one's pack as bad weather can show up at any time.by Mixolydian - General Discussion
I've been up the Mist tril a few times and never put on my poncho. I got wet, but it didn't bother me. Then there are a bunch of people who put their ponchos on because, I suppose, they hate to be wet. It's not like battery acid...just water.by Mixolydian - General Discussion
I'm starting to look around for a fairly large internal frame backpack, as my current "school style" backpack has too little capacity and it kills my shoulders. Do any of you backpacking types have any thoughts on good/bad brands and models? What are the features you have loved or hated about backpacks you have used? What should I look out for?by Mixolydian - General Discussion
Thanks for the info on the Clouds Rest hike. It's good to know that there will be a water crossing involved. Extra footwear shall be on hand with that in mind. Since I like to take lots of photos, I'll add 3 hours to the estimated hike time and will start out bright and early.by Mixolydian - General Discussion
I'd like to hike from Tenaya Lake to Clouds Rest and back, as a day hike, the next time I go to Yosemite. I'm curious about how difficult this hike is and how much time I should plan on spending on the trail. How would this compare to these other hikes: Mist Trail - Panorama Trail - Glacier Point Valley floor - Upper Yosemite Fall - Valley floor Tioga Rd. - Cathedral Lakes - Tioga Rd. Isby Mixolydian - General Discussion
Penny, if you want waterfalls, follow this 2-day plan: Day 1: Enter park at Wawona (that's the one in the south), drive to the Mariposa Grove and walk around for a while to see the trees. Then do the Chilnualna Falls hike. This is one of those lesser-discussed hikes and it's a major waterfall experience. There are many falls all the way up. There's one area that seems like it's the &quoby Mixolydian - General Discussion
One day I saw three rubber boas on the Panorama trail between Illilouette Fall and Glacier Point. Supposedly that is uncommon, but the conditions were just right. The squirrels around Vernal Fall and Nevada fall are little thugs. They are so aggressive that I feel sure that if there was a road to the falls, those squirrels would be carjacking people. I saw a Blue Grouse in the Glacier Point pby Mixolydian - General Discussion
extra blankets make good paddingby Mixolydian - General Discussion
I've had up to 4 tents in a site and have never had any problems due to tent count. I have a feeling those rules are mainly used to fall back upon if some people get ridiculous about their campsite population numbers.by Mixolydian - General Discussion
I'm not advocating making all campgrounds last-minute-reservation type camps...just some of them. That way people who can plan ahead get a spot as would people who can't.by Mixolydian - General Discussion
I like the last-minute reservation idea. A week in advance would be great. That would allow enough time to make any necessary arrangements and get everything together once the reservation has been made. I'd be very happy to have a campground dedicated to last-minute planners. First-come, first-served probably wouldn't be necessary anywhere if they had short-lead-time reservations instead.by Mixolydian - General Discussion
What are the requirements that must be met for a Yosemite waterfall to be named? Is there any such convention or standard?by Mixolydian - General Discussion
I imagine it will work out alright. There's a terrible lack of first-come-first-served space in the park, and it's sometimes problematic to plan five months in advance. Making another campground available for last-minute travellers is a great idea in my book. I say it's about time.by Mixolydian - General Discussion
Is there any reason not to go swimming in the Cathedral lakes? Must one concern themselves with undesirable organisms, dangerous conditions, or the possibility of doing some sort of damage to the lake environment?by Mixolydian - General Discussion
I'd love to see Cathedral Lakes in the snow. When it's snowbound, is it a good x-country ski destination or perhaps a nice snowshoe trek, or is it plain inaccessible?by Mixolydian - General Discussion
No, the NPS employees pack the trees and giant rocks into a storage locker on August 31. They put it all back out there in late March. Ha! I'm just playin'. There is plenty to see in the fall, especially since Tioga Rd. is open and the trails are not snowed in. This alone nearly doubles the size of the park as compared to what is available in the early spring. Some of the waterfalls will beby Mixolydian - General Discussion
I don't know about the fishing situation, but the Cathedral Lakes hike from Tioga Road is just over 4 miles in, and you can camp near the lakes.by Mixolydian - General Discussion
I know it seems like a 40 minute drive is a long way from the Valley, but we're not talking about a commute through urban rush-hour traffic. You're looking at a 40-minute drive through some of the most beautiful country in California. Unless you're doing a hike, such as Half Dome, that requires that you get started at the crack of dawn, I would suggest you camp wherever you can and relish the oby Mixolydian - General Discussion