Chick-on, What kind of boat is that? The Merced ate three of my boats in June.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wilderness Permits issued under "normal traihead quotas" are the only way to get to HSC's this year. The HSC's are closed.by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Basilbop, Thanks for update. So even if the Yosemite Falls webcam appears dry, there would likely still be water?by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Hi Everyone, Is Yosemite Creek likely to run dry by the first week in August? I have North RIm permits, but have never been that late in the season. Thanks.by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Summer 2020 Updates Due to current health guidelines, White Wolf Campground is closed and Valley Camp has relocated to a section of Upper Pines Campground. Backpackers campgrounds are now only open to campers with wilderness permits. You must have a wilderness permit, lodge reservation, or campground reservation to stay in Yosemite overnight. More campgrounds may open as conditions allow. For moby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I actually heard, from a park employee, that the backpackers campgrounds would be open.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
That's typical of Aramark. Eventually all the facilities they run will be no longer available (if not already toast). Shuttles in Tuolumne, High Sierra Camps, Shuttles in the valley, pools, ice rink, Badger Pass ski area, White Wolf Lodge, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, Raft rental.... DNC was a million time better. Stuff was actually open, and you could actually get there. Aramark seems to takby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The John Muir trail is an alternative to the mist trail, and in my opinion easier to travel going up, despite its 1 mile additional length.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
We know. I was just addressing Hikerchick's specific reference to snowplowing.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
With the snowpack at 12% of normal statewide, essentially all snow was projected to be melted by within a week. They may not need to plow.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks! I had the regular Yosemite Permit page bookmarked, and the daily entry link doesn't appear there yet.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes. A park employee told me last week, and Scenic Wonders now has this posted on their website: "COVID-19 ADVISORY We are now accepting reservations as Yosemite National Park moves towards reopening! Under Yosemite's draft reopening plan, visitors with overnight reservations at vacation rentals inside the park will be allowed to drive in without reserving a day pass to access the park.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've been informed that the NPS will accept documentation of reservations at Cabins inside the park.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I CARE! Thanks for the update, I have multiple contingent plans in Yosemite this summer: High Sierra camps, Backpacking, Yosemite West Cabin, group campout. All info is helpful.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
My speculation is that this reflects directly upon Aramark. Have they improved ANYTHING at Yosemite?by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
For Yellowstone: We went for a week last August and saw all the wildlife on our wishlist: Black Bear, grizzly, wolf, elk, moose, tatonka. Hot tip is to stay at the Old Faithful Inn and rent bicycles to ride to geysers and grand prismatic. Must do the flag lowering one evening on the roof of the old faithful inn. Start calling the bell desk on the day the inn opens for the season and put yoby Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I can't recommend any of those trails to get to LYV. Maybe someone else can suggest a better alternative than walk up permits, as this late thaw is creating havoc with lots of plans, including mine. I have three different plans, just waiting to see if any pan out...by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Yes. If you can'y get a "3A" permit from Glacier Point to LYV, then try for a "3B" permit from Glacier Point to Illilouette. You will have to spend the first night past the panorama trail junction, but then you can backtrack to the Panorama Trail, and spend night 2 at LYV. There is a beautiful creek to camp near on night one.by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
NQTG, You're right, I forgot about the bridge!by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I agree with NQTG on most things, but to be clear there were 2 diffierent types of shuttles which were loosely called the Tuolumne Hikers shuttles. One was the shuttle that ran back and forth between Olmstead Point and Tuolumne Meadows. That one did not run even though Aramark posted that it did, the operators on the phone said that it did, and one even sent me the supposed schedule: all of whby Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
We started a hike at Cathedral Lakes in June 2011, going to Sunrise HSC, to the Half dome trail junction, up half dome, then to LYV, and out the JMT to Happy isles (don't take the mist trail with full packs. It's a zoo, and 90% of the people will have no concept of trail etiquette). The snowpack was similar to this year. There will be deep snow, and the trails will be buried, so unless you haby Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Now the Aramark White wolf page reads: "Operating Dates: Please check back for the 2019 opening date." I'd say the opening is looking pretty dismal. Despite having some awesome employees, Aramark should be taking a well-deserved thrashing for the way it has handled the HSC's, The Tuolumne Shuttle, The Valley Shuttle, and the White Wolf Lodge, and its public information. Just sby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks, I'll check it out.by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Markstor, You are the man!by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I have a couple of different option to backpack the North Rim this summer. I'd like to try the Porcupine Creek Trail head, down to Indian Arch and North Dome, and camp somewhere close to water around North Dome or towards Lehamite Creek. Any suggestions?by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Aramark still shows White Wolf Lodge "Operating Dates June 7 - September 1, 2019". In 2017. they did not open all summer. Does anyone here think White Wolf will open this summer? If so, what's your guess? Because I have reservations in July, and because my luck with reservations along Tioga Pass the last couple of years has been bad, I'm not optimistic. Markstor what say you?by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Tioga Road May 30, 2019 With some assistance from Mono County, the length of the road is plowed (at least one lane wide), although there is a high-risk avalanche zone at Olmsted Point. Crews are working on side rouds and utility areas. Much additional work remains prior to opening. Snowpack in the Tuolumne River basin was at 149% of average this year as of May 1. View a list of previous opby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Only one time round trip. The steps are too many and too uneven, and the crowd is large and somewhat clueless. I've hiked down it a couple times with a full backpack, and that is a chore. I'd much rather hike the panorama trail to Nevada falls and then down to Vernal, then down the jmt.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteOhnivy-Drak QuoteCoolburn P.S. If White Wolf opens by July 6th, I'll try to come introduce myself! Have stayed there a couple times. Do they still offer the lox for breakfast? Really delicious. I don't know, but I'd try it.by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
P.S. If White Wolf opens by July 6th, I'll try to come introduce myself!by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra