We used the showerhouses out by Boystown which all required codes. Didn't use the main showerhouse this trip so I don't know about that. I found the Curry pizza good but not great. The Dengan's pizza is much better in my opinion. I agree it is frustrating that they are closed during the winter. In the past they were open for employees but didn't see they were open this year. One night it wasby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the trail info Plawrence! Saw the road and a service truck on it during the hike. Ran into a group that had started following the service road but wanted to get to Taft Point. Not sure if it was open as a ranger had told me it wasn't when I check a few days before. The sign was on the actual trail and they missed it. Parklover - we were there Thursday as well. We were there befby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hi, haven't posted in a while (I visit a lot but don't usually post), but wanted to share my experience from last week. High of 50, lows in mid 30s. No real snow in the valley. Some patchy areas and icy streams. Biggest patch of snow was in Housekeeping camp by the water. Stayed in Curry Village in a cabin without bath. If you are thinking of this route, don't. There are only 14 cabins withoutby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
You could always use the Merced or Tenaya Creek with some biodegradable/environmentally friendly soap for your showering purposes. We saw quite a few people doing this as well as some in my group (myself included). Then when I had to pay for a shower I didn't mind so much. Also the showers by boystown aren't monitored for a fee but they are very small and not as clean. Maybe I am in the minorby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I stayed at Mono Village a few years ago and I remember going through my car before the trip. I thought I got everything out but once there realized that I forgot about the air fresheners that clip into my vents. Seems like a small thing but it is scented and I don't want to think about what could have been! A former co-worker was there in his camper a few years ago and woke up to bear paw printby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes, everyone who posts the ads to flag makes it so easy for people to take a few seconds and help out - so thank you! I am happy to flag and do what I can to help as well! When I told the camp hosts in North Pines about the efforts of this website, they were VERY pleased!by robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
For me it was an August a few years ago. Yosemite Falls was quite dry but there was still many amazing hikes to take and things to see. We were staying in North Pines and met the nicest couple staying in an awesome site by the water. They invited us over and we watched a bear. And then another. And then another. And another. We went over to the stables and watched a mom and baby in the orchard eby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I take lots of vitamins (per doctor's advice) including B1 and they still get me almost every time (except this last time in Yosemite when I used 3M Ultrathon). It has 34.34% deet. My husband purcahsed the OFF Clip-on fan. Looked like a big dork with the blue medalion on, but he swears it worked. It has 31.2% metofluthrin. I did sit and hike next to him a lot, so perhaps it helped me tooby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteclankfu Quoterobinjayp Going down was a little slippery. We all had great traction boots and still slippery. The great rubber gloves were much appreciated! At this point the cables were pretty croweded (more than I expected) and going down took longer than we had hoped. Without the traffic going up and down, we could have shaved an hour off our time. I was very suprised that peopleby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteFrank Furter Don't all technical climbers bring equipment that is not really absolutely necessary-- until it is suddenly needed? The discussion is less about relying upon a harness-tether system, than about whether such a system would provide additional security and balance that equipment use against the cost and risk that it might pose to others on the cables. To my mind, a supplementaby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I am fascinated at the response this topic has brought and appreciate everyone's honesty and candor. Who would have thought a simple question on the cable width (from a previous post) would provoke such strong reactions and opinions on safety (along with certain unfortunate cicurmstances of course). I suppose we can all agree to disagree on this topic, but I have seen some very good suggestioby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Last time I was there, I asked to be as isolated and as far away from people as possible. I ended up at the mosquito bar and regretted it immediately (last loop toward the visitor's center). Blood, mainly mine, was on tap. The campground had just opened and we were able to relocate to loop A right by the water which had minimal mosquitoes. I will take crowds of people crammed into smaller sitby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Not watching your children at the top of a waterfall. A few years back at the top of Vernal we saw a small child, probably five or six, on the inside of the railing ten feet from the edge of the fall. Grabbed the kid and calmly guided him around (railing was not the extended version that is there today and the water flow and level were much less). The parents had no clue about the danger their cby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes he had to stop at every pole to clip on/off. Without a harness I had to do the same thing. I had to pull myself up every plank, and secure my hands and feet and feel safe before proceding to the next section. I also feel that without the rope-tied person in front of us that I would have been the one holding up the line not the person with the harness. I know most people don't "need&qby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
No, the harness use did not slow down the flow of traffic on the cables, but the person with a rope wrapped around them with a single carabiner did. And so what if it had? People freeze on the cables and become immobile frequently, some people just don't have the arm strength to pull themselves up and need to rest frequently, and others just go super slow. He clipped in one carabiner for each sby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Good observations! We actually had a two week trip to Hawaii planned, but due to the economy and job issues, "settled" for just camping in Yosemite. Let's see, the sites are $140 for a week (which we split with another family), two and a half tanks of gas, and food (which we normally buy). We didn't need any new camping gear, so this vacation was a very inexpensive yet rewarding triby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
According to my memory and my summer visits over the years, this is the worst I have ever seen it. I've visited during 4th of July week many times, as well as in June and August and yes it gets crowded, but not so that it impacts staying overnight in the valley. The hoards of people clambering for position on the Mist Trail during my visit last week were unbelievable! I teach (when I actuallyby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Well, I am not at home and do not have access to my camera. I don't even know if I got a good picture of it or not, but it was the Black Diamond Alpine Bod Climbing Harness from REI. http://www.rei.com/product/699550/black-diamond-alpine-bod-climbing-harness There were two leash/extensions from the front with a heavy duty spring loaded locking carabiner attached to each. An additional carabby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuotePineCone Re: "Another camper, this one in our group, freaked out when she found a small animal in her tent and muddy prints all over the place including her bra." - I hope she wasn't wearing it at the time?! She wasn't but her reaction probably would have been the same. She was a trooper though and stuck it out for her kids. She was eyeing the Awahnee after that though!by robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
This time with the two campsites, we had two different types of fire pits. One had a grate to lower into the pit or take completely out, and the other had a grate to lower up and down (in the firepit at all times). We brought corn with us for our hot dogs (which we cooked over the second fire pit mentioned). We wrapped the cobs in foil with some butter and set them on the grate. Worked like aby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteplawrence I found the price of a quart of milk at the Village Store in Yosemite Village to be less that was charged at the Save Mart in Oakdale. And, I can't recall which one was it, but either Degnan's Deli or the Village Store sold single 12oz cans of beer for less money than the other store. In fact, the cost of the 12oz can of beer COST LESS than either the 20oz or 1/2 liter bottle oby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes, but at least the alcohol that goes in and is chilled by the ice isn't obnoxiously priced I do feel that way about the wood though!by robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
So where can we pitch our tents (probably need lots of deet though)?? Lovely... Yes, I have been following this forum for years. I get lost for hours looking at pictures and reading dialogue about chickens and goatsby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotelovechris This May, I'm arranging my art supplies in the back of my van in the parking lot nearest the Art Center. You can't see through the windows. Chick parks next to me, stands between the cars, chain smokes two cigarets and throws the butts on the ground. Bad me, I picked them up and stuck them in the seam of her window. Even a butt is disrespectful to our land. Love it! It isby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes, the ice is overpriced as well. I think we have to pay for having in trucked in. A minor annoyance all things considered though. I rode my bike from the campground to the Curry store, bought the ice as well as a recyclable souvenir bag to carry it in, and draped it over my shoulder. Worked better than the plastic grocery plastic bags. We also bought a bag of Tostitos and a bottle ofby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I also think due to my lack of faith in other people's preparedness and ability, I would consider a harness set up if I decide to hike Half Dome again. I thought about for this trip, but dismissed due to my tough girl attitude. There were a few times that I slipped a little, but my death grip (as I called it) on the cables held firm. I just worry about the people who are lacking in the upper aby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
What I drink changes with environment, altitute, heat, etc. When I hike locally in Orange County, I carry 24 ounces for an average 4-8 mile hike unless it is in the 90s plus temp wise. I usually drink 24 ounces before I leave as well and leave 24 ounes in my car just in case. But in Yosemite I carry at least two liters depending on the hike (and usually drink 24 ounces pre-hike). Mist Trail uby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
When we arrived at the Yosemite gate on a Thursday at 11:00 am the campground sign said all sites full. This is an usually busy year and I think that what has previously considered the norm for first come first serve campgrounds just does not apply this year. In previous years I have arrived on a Sunday for first come first serve in Bridalveil and Tuolomne by 11:00 and haven't had a problem, buby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Forgot to mention - Curry Pizza was okay (just like I remembered). Not bad, not good. The Blue Moon and Patron Margaritas were great though! The Loft Pizza was great! Very different from Curry (better crust, sauce, toppings). A six pack of Blue Moon at Albertson's grocery was $9.99. At the store in Curry Village it was $8.99. The stores in Yosemite are very reasonably priced IMO andby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Two Thursdays past, we left Orange County at 5:30 am and in line at the gate by 10:30. Normally we would be at out campsite in another hour, but we had to wait at the kiosk for 30 minutes to pay! Arrived at our campsite by noon. Never had that happen before (the wait that is)! Part of our group came on Sunday and the wait at the entrance was over an hour at 11:00 am! And when they got to thby robinjayp - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion