Does anyone know at what predicted flood stage level the Lower Pines and North Pines campgrounds get closed?by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I received an email from the National Park Service after I inquired as to how many applications there were for the lottery. I was told "There were over 22,000 applications for the 640 time slots, for a success rate of under 3%." I will definitely save my $10 in the future but this sure turned out to be a fundraiser for the Recreation.gov contractor.by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Struck out in the North Pines Lottery. Results posted this morning. I would really like to find out how many lottery applications there were for the 640 spots.by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The new reservation site is absolutely terrible. They have so many mistakes and omissions that it is ridiculous. Most of the campgrounds no longer have campsite photos and the maps suck. It was by shear luck that I was able to get a week long site in Lower Pines in May. The new contractor for Recreation.gov has a Facebook page and the list of complaints posted there is long. If we hope for aby shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
While there are some that will say this was stupid, you need to keep in mind that Alex prepared, planned and trained for this for years. Free soloing El Cap was a very calculated project and I applaud both his physical and mental strength. This was an amazing feat!by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Can anyone tell me if the river is still high enough for rafting? We will be camping in the valley starting the 14th and we're hoping to do a float.by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
This article says that despite reports otherwise, Dean was not wearing a helmet or camera yet park officials say he was. I wonder why the discrepancy.by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
My daughter and I both entered the Half Dome permit lottery and both came up empty. Fortunately my niece was able to get 4 permits so we will finally give it a try on June 16th.by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Beautiful photos!by shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
We actually looked to try to get one of the reopened sites that morning at 7:00am and they were not listed. Later that day they showed up as booked. We called the reservation number and asked how it happened that they weren't online at 7:00am and yet they were booked. We were told that the space we were looking for was reserved at 7:25am. Now anyone that has ever tried to get reservations knoby shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
So happy they found him! http://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/missing-hiker-found-alive-in-yosemite-national-park-mdahl.htmby shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hume Lake! Love it there!by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
We recently spent a week in Lower Pines. Numerous times a day people cut right through our campsite while we sat at the picnic table, rather than taking the paved road, they just came on through. I found that when I said "hey, how's it going?" they usually tried to slink away but if we ignored them they repeated it the next day. I have taught my kids that it is rude to walk through sby shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for your help!by shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Does anyone know if they have started requiring permits to float down the Merced in the valley? I thought I saw something in the "Merced Wild and Scenic River Plan" that would extend the length you could float but also require private vessels to have a permit. Sorry, I meant to put this in the other forum. Doh!by shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! You two do sound much like my daughter and I. When I first came up with what my husband calls my "suicide mission" (note - he is not a camper or hiker and thinks a hotel without room service is really roughing it) I was naive enough to think we could just pack some stuff and start walking. Heck, anyone can do that right??? After all theby shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Not sure if this is an easily answered question due to all the variables, but what would be a realistic pack weight for someone 125lbs?by shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
All of this advice has been much appreciated. I can't wait to get out there! First trip will likely be San Jacinto overnighter in early June. We will rent the gear and see how it goes.by shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Love the idea of a one nighter to Young Lakes. Just how bad should I expect the mosquitoes to be mid June? I'm thinking pretty miserable. Should we take the out and back past Dog Lake or the loop via the Glen Aulin trail?by shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Wow! So much good advice! Thank you. Definitely will try to rent or borrow some equipment after spending yesterday at REI looking at the price of gear. I would hate to make that kind of investment only to find out that I really prefer my little trailer.by shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
San Diego Countyby shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I really appreciate the input. I would hate to bite off more that we can chew and end up having a miserable time. Exactly why I asked the experts. Love the idea of a local trip and will do some more research!by shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
We will definitely want to keep the weight to a minimum. I think the idea of just an overnighter is a good one. Thanks for the advice!by shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
My 19 year old daughter and I have been camping and hiking in Yosemite each summer for the past 13 years. We are now considering an actual backpacking trip but since neither of us has ever done more than day hikes that end back to our comfy little trailer in the valley, we are a little hesitant to head out on our own. Does a trip between Tuolumne Meadows and Reds Meadow along the JMT sound reasby shaunsmomo - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks. Looks like the Tuesday we are there would give us the best chance. I recall last year trying to help some folks from Switzerland enter the daily lottery but we were having a terrible time with internet access in the valley via my mobile phone. Is the daily lottery only online or can you call in to try to get a spot?by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I was trying for mid-June on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. If I don't get lucky and win the permit lottery soon, I will be too old to do Half Dome!by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
flag - http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/for/4421049122.htmlby shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yet another unsuccessful attempt in the Half Dome cable permit lottery.Very disappointed but I guess we can still try for the daily lottery while we are there.by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Please flag: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/for/4419021070.htmlby shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the scoop! I will keep my fingers crossed and my raft ready.by shaunsmomo - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion