As plawrence said, if you meant the end of the 4th of July week, that could be a reason. 4th of July is often the worst. We went to Lake Alpine and all the campgrounds were full, which was unusual for them too. I think the bus lane is on weekends or busy times, though it was busy time for you. I'll be there next weekend, so will see if the bus lane runs or not.by recycling1991 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
So on our way back from Lake Alpine (highway 4), instead of driving west on Farmington Rd all the way to 99, headed north on Waverly and discovered some neat areas to drive. Particularly the roads around Linden are full of very old walnut trees which look to be quite healthy. It was very scenic. Also tried some ice cream store in the strange new Disneylandish Copperopolis. Okay ice cream. Nothby recycling1991 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Are they Giant Sequoias? First I thought maybe they are Sierra (Western) Junipers, but they don't have the twisty bark, nor are they growing on rocks.by recycling1991 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Quotehikerchick395 Just got back from Tuolumne July 2nd, somewhat avoiding the 4th of July stupidity. "... What were the mosquitoes like? Heading out to Lake Alpine off of highway 4 this week. Are they terrible?by recycling1991 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
This is sad. Too bad it had to happen. Must be difficult for his family. It reminds me of the folks that die in Yosemite going over the falls. Most of the time, similar to this case, they seem to be young men.by recycling1991 - General Discussion
My kids are 12 and 14, so they could do it. Thanks for the advice.by recycling1991 - General Discussion
Thanks for the background. I take classes at our local JC in Natural Resource Management for fun and this fall they have an orienteering class (Compass orienteering, GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and topographic map reading for backpackers and wilderness recreation users.). I think I will take it.by recycling1991 - General Discussion
I know this is more a trip advisor like question, but I have a sense of folks here. We'll have 4-6 nights next week in Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce 1 to 2 nights in each park. I am trying to decide if I should hire an outfitter around Zion for a day of canyoneering. My husband won't join us, but my kids and I can do it. Part of me thinks it will be fun for the kids, but then I think, this is theby recycling1991 - General Discussion
I just did the big loop mist trail/panorama/4 mile trail a few weeks and have done it many times. I've always hiked it going up the mist trail, coming down 4-mile. But have noticed the guide books and most hikers do it the other way. I think it's nicer going up the mist trail. you see the falls as you hike up, where you need to concentrate (mist trail), you have energy, and then when you're exby recycling1991 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks. Where is the photo of saddle bag lake area yesterday? I can't see it. ;-) Also, how were the mosquitoes? are they out yet?by recycling1991 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for the responses. Inyo's main # does not answer (tried many times today). Mono lake visitor center said there is snow, but the beavers are in the lower elevation areas, which should be clear, so maybe we can make it there and see the beaver dams? Or maybe I should book myself a fall trip there. Also, thanks for the photo (waterfall sides look steep) and comment re: 12 year old. I willby recycling1991 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I love beavers and have read that Lundy Canyon has beavers. So I'd like to visit it. Plus I love hiking out of Saddlebag lake and all those lakes beyond (we've hiked to the area that leads to Lundy Canyon). Anyway, the question is, will it be full of snow in less than two weeks? We're heading from Northern CA to Zion area and I thought, maybe we can spend one night near Lee Vining and do theby recycling1991 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Somewhat sad story ... https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/05/26/when-you-find-my-body-please-call-my-husband-wrote-dying-hiker-lost-along-the-appalachian-trail/ The comments on the article mention something called SPOT GPS or something like that. Anyone here used one?by recycling1991 - General Discussion
I believe the trailhead for Carlon falls is in the Stanislaus National Forest, while the trail goes the park. http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/stanislaus/recarea/?recid=79362 http://www.yosemitehikes.com/hetch-hetchy/carlon-falls/carlon-falls.htmby recycling1991 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
FYI, just hiked the four mile trail yesterday. You should be good to go; just pay attention. My husband doesn't like heights and I was thinking, it's a good thing he's not with us, because there are parts of the trail, mostly near the top, that do have sharp drops. The other thing was I was surprised by the snow patches on the trail, and they take half the trail. But you're not going for a coupleby recycling1991 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks for posting this. Wish I had read it sooner; would have saved me ten to fifteen minutes :-). Just got back from the valley and hiked what I call The big loop (Mist trail to Nevada to Illouiette to Glacier point, down four mile trail). Anyway, not wanting to carry water for longer than we had to, I suggested to the group to fill up our waters at the Vernal bridge. NPS had a sign about tby recycling1991 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thought some folks on this newsgroup may enjoy this. The guy has a neat blog. http://geotripper.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-richest-mineral-resources-in-death.html The Richest Mineral Resources in Death Valley: Isolation and Gullibility A great many dreams lie broken in the rock and gravel expanses of Death Valley National Park. The California Gold Rush had brought hundreds of thousandsby recycling1991 - General Discussion
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I've booked us at the Bryce Canyon lodge for one night. I'll keep my Zion lodge cabins based on your suggestions. I'll have to look into the drives and hikes in more detail as we get closer. My husband has a strong fear of heights, and since we'd like to stay as a family, we'll probably avoid the crazy height hikes or drives, if possible. Hoping to mby recycling1991 - General Discussion
QuoteAcadia Ideally, planning to visit any National Park should be done well in advance, months preferably, especially if you wish to stay in the park which you've already done. With respect to Bryce, if you can't stay at the Bryce Canyon Lodge I highly recommend staying at the Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel. I managed to book one night at Bryce Canyon Lodge a couple of days ago, butby recycling1991 - General Discussion
Thanks! Excited to go there.by recycling1991 - General Discussion
Planning to visit Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce for the first time this June. The poll on this site a few months ago with many selecting Zion as one of their favorite parks motivated me to plan this trip. Some questions: 1. What's Bryce Canyon lodge Like? is it worth staying there, or should I stay outside? It is one of the grand lodges? We are paying around $240 a night in Grand Canyon and Zby recycling1991 - General Discussion
wow! gorgeous photos. Thank you for sharing.by recycling1991 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yosemite is home and there is no place like home. That said, I found the Tetons gorgeous (been there twice) and Glacier fabulous. I loved the Going to the Sun road, and their hoary marmots, much more stylish looking that our fat yellow-bellied ones. ;-) Yellowstone is interesting, but the scenery doesn't do much for me. The animals are fun to see. I can't wait to go back to Glacier. Ofby recycling1991 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'll add a few more .... - Red hills recreation area on grange road (taking that side loop from Chinese camp). Never hiked in Red Hills, though it looks interesting. - The gas station on Farmington road that sells bird houses on the side. Haven't bought a bird house there yet. maybe will one of these days. - checking out the mega processing facilities (hunts tomato, some wine group onby recycling1991 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotemarkskor The high freeway overpass section - Highway 4, from 99 to 5 French Camp Rd cutoff...stopping for fresh produce at the local farm shacks Waiting for that long 120 left turn light, outside Escalon...cheapest gas The high derrick timber mill complex...thousands of stacked trees Crossing the Don Pedro Reservoir bridge Moccasin and Early Intake Hardin Flat - (describes my ex GF) Tby recycling1991 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotebalzaccom Fisher Farms produce stand at 120 and French Camp Road. The old horse corral below Jamestown, which dates back well over 100 years Rim of the World turnout---now Rim Fire recovery Big Creek Shaft Road...never been down it, love the name Old Priest Grade Café...quite a story wow, three new ones for me to check out. don't know French camp rd, don't know the horse corral, orby recycling1991 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I thought it would be fun to see what people find interesting along the road to Yosemite. I'll fill in five and the next person can fill in five more, till we have no more to add. :-) We drive there from the north bay, but the interesting parts are from 99 on. -Manteca: Bass Pro shop, fun stop, learned about it thanks to this group -Orange blossom road, (avoiding Oakdale). Like the Victoriby recycling1991 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I see availability now. Maybe check again?by recycling1991 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
When I was there midweek a couple of weeks ago it was empty and full of snow. Now this weekend is president's day weekend with beautiful weather. Why not just book upper pines which shows availability? What is banzai run?by recycling1991 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The lack of crowds was just amazing. I like going in May because the dogwoods are so beautiful when in bloom, but I tell you, this was really nice. It had been twelve years since I had last been there in the winter. Essentially from Chinese Camp on, we were one of the only ones on the road (well, count out the towns like Groveland). I am so used to being stuck behind slow moving cars all along tby recycling1991 - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra