Just checked recreation.gov and there is a bunch of sites available for June. I thought some of you might appreciate the heads up. See you there!by sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I have some first hand experience with this scenario. Last year, around June (I think), just by luck I saw a notice either on this site or on FB that the TM campground would be opening early. I went right to recreation.gov and sure enough there was roughly (2) weeks of available sites for the end of June and begining of July. I spent July 1st - 11th there with my wife and daughter, it was awesomeby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'm in the same boat qumqats. I've got the wilderness permit system down, but woud love any and all advice I can get on making reservations for camping. It sounds like it can be difficult! I will be at the computer on the morning of the 15th with my fingers crossed. I'm actually hoping to make (2) reservations, one for myself and one for my parents, so I know the odds are stacked against me. Thaby sewolpe - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks again!We will definitely have fun. Hope you do the same!by sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
That was the assumption I had made. It wasn't until I started reading through some articles on web that I began to doubt myself. It seems some folks in San Francisco maybe concerned with their drinking water supply this summer. Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.by sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've got a permit for Glen Aulin to Waterwheels pass thru to White Wolf for the first weekend of August. Last year we were wading through most of the trail between Waterwheels and Return Creek (our turn around point) and this was late July. It was an outstanding trip to say the very least! From what I've been reading, this year will not be nearly as wet so late in the season. Should I be eby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Like everyone else here, I have seen too many ignorant things to count. The one thing that really erks me though is peoples' insistence to feed the squirrels. I know there are far more pressing issues in the park, but I would love to see people get ticketed for it. Their is always a moron or two, happy to oblige. I tend to avoid confrontation in my day to day whenever possible, but as soon aby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
My wife and I first visited the park on our 3rd anniversary. Tomorrow is our 5th anniversary and we'll also be our 9th trip to the park. We're about 7 hours away, so it's not too far. This will be our 5th backpacking trip in the park and I am more excited than ever. Yosemite has become the only place where I feel like I can breath. As soon as I hit forest the tension in my back just fades anby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Porcupine Creek to Yosemite Valley via Yosemite Falls Trail On Sunday, 6/26/11, my wife and I drove 6 hours from our home in So. Cal. to Yosemite Valley. We came out Wawona tunnel at approx. 1:30pm. We then spent the next 2 hours crawling through the valley floor to the parking area. Upon parking we then waited at the shuttle stop for 45 mins with no signs of a bus. All the while the stopby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Pano shot from top of North Dome on Sunday 6/27/11. I get a lil trip report together soon, all went very well. Snow and creeks were non-issues. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30075804@N08/5886269679/in/photostreamby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
"What, me worry?" that's the story of my life. I'll try to swallow a chill pill. My wife and I are hoping to take the Yarts bus from YV to the Porcupine Creek TH. The Yarts policy seems to be that they will stop on demand anywhere the driver deems safe enough if you request it ahead of time. Anyone with experience with this, please feel free to chime in. Thanks for replies evby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
My wife and I have a permit for Porcupine Creek to Yosemite valley via the Upper Falls Trail for entry on 6/26. We intended on checking out Indian Rock and North Dome before heading for the Falls. I've been lurking in the forums for the last few weeks trying to filter through all the great information. After reading the recent posts on the North Rim and looking at NPS current conditions it woulby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Did the JMT from Cathedral Lakes to Happy Isles on 8/1/10 - 8/4/10. Like any time spent in Yosemite, it was lots of fun. While on the trail I spotted a rare chickon-phoenix hybrid. I barely had time to snap his picture while he turned himself into this burnt tree. Also saw this whale rock breaching just feet from the trail.by sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Three pano's from the Lower Cathedral Lake area. We entered from TM and were there June 27-29. It was really neat to be there in the middle of all that snow melt and an excellent learning experience traveling over the snow. When we entered the trail, it wasn't 100 % snow covered, but it was pretty close. When we exited there was still a lot of snow on the trail but we could see it the entireby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just got back from Tuolumne and saw what I thought was a strange boat or part of one being pulled on a trailer. Perhaps this is what I saw. I would have thought this would be illegal... glad to see it's not. Very cool.by sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
bill-e-g, We may not make it past the Lower Cathedral Lake dependent upon a number of things, but like you said I'll chock it all up to a learning experience. If we do push for the whole journey, should I be concerned with any creeks in particular or just all of them...haha? Any pics of the area would always be greatly appreciated. Again thanks for all your input it has been very helpful.by sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Bill-e-q, Thanks for suggestion. I think this has turned into a great opportunity to learn more about traveling over the snow. We'll head out to the lake and see what fun we can have; I'm sure we'll keep ourselves plenty busy. I'd still love to hear from anyone that has done Cathedral Lakes to Yosemite Valley recently. The person I spoke with on the phone at wilderness reservations saidby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I spoke with someone on the wilderness reservations phone line this morning and he said they had received a tentative notice that TM campground, the hiker bus and etc might be starting on the same day you mentioned above, June 25th. I wonder if that is purely coincidence.by sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Anyone care to take guess at when the trail will be without major snow cover? You all seem to be extremely knowledgeable and familiar with the Tuolumne area in particular. Those pics above are great. And I thought the water in Upper Cathedral was cold this time last year. While its disappointing to have to cancel or change plans, its amazing to see how different one winter season can be to thby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it. I am definitely reconsidering my plans. I'll be calling the permit station first thing tomorrow to try and get something later in July. If nothing else we might just take the Mist/JM trail to Little Yosemite Valley and maybe the cables will be up on Half Dome. I hope it works out for everyone else in the same boat.by sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
bill-e-g - Thanks for the info, pictures and slight scare. Do you have any suggestions for a 2-3 trip in the Yosemite area that would be easier to navigate. I have no issues with getting wet, being cold, hiking through mud and slush... I am just not confident in my ability to navigate in 100% snow coverage. I think doing the trip through the snow sounds like a good challenge but I've only donby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'm planning on backpacking from the Cathedral Lakes trail head to Yosemite Valley via the John Muir trail. I will be entering on 6/27. Has anyone been through this area within the last week or so? How is the snow coverage? I have some route finding experience but have never traveled on snow before. Should I be looking for an alternative to this trail, and if so what might have better conditby sewolpe - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion