I can say that the last few septembers, SOP is that kiosk has sign up list for A loop sites, they are assigned in order on the list (not a true lottery) at 12:30 (you got to be there to claim). if you're a walk-up, you have to get a spot at the main office first, then proceed to kiosk. 12:30 because check-out time is 12:00, and they do a drive-thru to verify site status. they don't assume currentby mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
in Pig Latin, "recreation.gov" translates as "mystery".by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
using this https://tedmuller.us/Outdoor/Hiking/2016/160620-MedlicottLakes.htm as a reference, I reconnoitered the route last September. two pullouts from 120 seem possibilities (both within variously cited mileages from Tenaya lake upper lot, and from TM store lot) but the upper one (closer to TM) yielded an obvious trail, well used and maintained, which intersected the Tenaya Lake trail and contby mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
o.k., here's my understanding. per nps website, there are 304 tent and RV sites in TM, half reservable, half for same-day walkups. if you look at, say, a day in august when all reservable sites, the only ones subject to rec.gov, are shown as reserved, there are in fact 152 sites available for walk-ups.(actually, more complicated--some may have already been taken by walkups a few days earlier whoby mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
TM Lodge opened in 1916, and has gone through a number of concessionaires in the last 100 years. can't find any record for the latest opening "on record" for either Delaware or Aramark. don't think that data is out there.by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
so, since I retired 5 years ago, I've gone camping to TM for it's opening week, with the exception of 2017, when I judged August 1 to be too far into the skeeter hatch. to expand on Wandering Daisy's point, when you are free to go anytime, no point in picking a fight with snow, weather, or mosquitos. has anyone been up to TM lately, most likely over the holiday weekend, and spent time standingby mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
just noticed site shows availability for nights Sept 15-29, two weeks beyond previous announced closing date of Sept 15. might be real, a consequence of late opening, or maybe the right hand and the left hand aren't communicating. worth a phone call if you're interested.by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
my limited experience w campground opening (last 5 years or so) is that it opens a week or so after the lodge.by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
don't know anything about the physical abilities of your "beginner". when my kids were young, I chose to take them in a day (Seville Lake, North Fork of the Kings). do a challenging day hike, then exit. after the drudgery of hauling a pack for the first time, the layover day hike, unburdened, was exhilarating for them, and the hike out, predominantly downhill, seemed relatively easy. thby mkbgdns - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I have no idea when the campground will open, but remember that those walls of snow you see were deposited by the plows. don't reflect he the terrain 20 ft behind them. in 2017, the late opening (Aug 1) was in part caused by infrastructure damage, water and/or sewer systems. of course, this year, maybe damage hasn't been assessed yet...by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
thanks for the news.by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Forgive my ignorance. will return to the valley for the first time in 25 years next weekend. has this season's hatch started yet? thanks for any info.by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
sorry. parody of zinke-lover. all-purpose administrative defense.by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
fake news?by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
this is ominous newsby mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Federal Districts Note:All land regulated by the National Park service prohibits hitchhiking under the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 section 4.31: Hitchhiking or soliciting transportation is prohibited except in designated areas and under conditions established by the superintendent. Yosemite National Park: Hitchhiking is permitted in the following areas under the terms and conditionsby mkbgdns - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
tried, and failed, the shortcut route last week. yes, lot is very close to 2 miles from tenaya lake east end parking lot. beware an attractive candidate a little closer to tenaya lake (dozier dome approach lot?). here's an excellent report: http://tedmuller.us/Outdoor/Hiking/2016/160620-MedlicottLakes.htm we got stopped by a jumble of car-sized boulders, tried several ways through (iby mkbgdns - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
hitchhike? if approached by a ranger, just explain that you're trying to flag down the shuttle.by mkbgdns - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
so...quite unclear here. for the last 5 years, reservation cabin and kiosk have opened at 7:30 (I always go up the first and last weeks of the season). last september, surprised to find opening at 9:00. made some calls, big oak flat entrance station says 8:00, TM visitor center says 9:00. anybody been by there and seen the sign on the reservations cabin on tioga road?by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
apparently, it opened last Friday, the 25th. I was taken a little by surprise. does anyone have any suggestions for places (other than the NPS Yosemite website, of course) to put your ear to there ground to find out revised opening dates for Tuolumne Meadows?by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
in terms of bang-for-the-buck day hike, it's hard to beat Mitchell Peak in Sequoia. drive time-wise, probably the same as Cedar Grove. it's 6 miles round trip, with 2,000' gain and loss, so it's more like a moderately strenuous morning or afternoon, not an easy stroll in nature. maybe more than you have in mind.by mkbgdns - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
since retirement, I've had the luxury of camping at TM during the first and last weeks of its season. this year may not work out, but I still have a reservation for the last week. with my backpack also retired, I find TM to be the premiere campground for high country day hikes, both in number and variety.by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
some indirect intel...yesterday, Aramark moved the opening date for TM lodge to 8/1. in recent years, TM campground has opened about a week after the lodge. current (tentative) opening for campground is 8/1. if you have reservations in two weeks (like me), have a Plan B.by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
breatheby mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
was there a week ago, only widely scattered patches visible.by mkbgdns - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
good protein supplement. no preparation, just breathe and swallow.by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
sorry, but that's not hopeful, that's fantasy.by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
know this has been addressed before, but any suggestions for tactics (either by telephone or online) on Reservation Day to get a spot near the front of the queue? looking at Tuolumne Meadows in July (R Day 2/15). please specify Pacific Standard Time. thanks in advance.by mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
reflectex is a very good insulator close to weightless. not familiar with your pot or stove, but for years my partner and I re-hydrated in pouch {manufacturer's or freezer bag} let it sit a while, then brought an inch or so of water to boil in the pot, and placed the pouch in boiling water to finish re-hydration/re-heating. the additional fuel use is minuscule, and the hot water is useful after dby mkbgdns - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
as far as I've seen, only Tuolumne Meadows Lodge is shooting for June 10, and that's tentative. where are folks getting this date for the campground? the for-profit folks are more motivated to get up and running. last year the Lodge was open at least a week before the campground.by mkbgdns - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra