I guess I just don't agree that the current regulated monopoly is working well. As far as "back-end" facilities, I'm not sure how much additional employee housing would be necessary if half of the outlets had a different operator? I suppose if you believe that free markets never work, then this system probably is best.by RickM - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I think it's a shame that the NPS puts all the concessions in the park in one contract with one company giving them a monopoly for the next 15 years. I think a little competition in food service might greatly improve the quality at Yosemite. When one company runs all the food outlets, there isn't a whole lot of incentive to offer good value. I guess we'll get 15 more years of poor qualityby RickM - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Here's a website with some backpacking and trip info: https://sites.google.com/site/backpackthesierra/homeby RickM - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I wonder if the NPS has ever considered lowering the 9,600 ft limit. Does anyone know any of the history about how they came up with 9,600 rather than something lower? Rick M.by RickM - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It looks like Reymann Lake is slightly above 10,000 feet (well past the 9,600 feet legal limit), so I'm thinking that was a bad example. Personally, I don't see how LNT ethics can include converting wood to ashes. It just seems like a definite trace to me. Rick M.by RickM - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for posting. Zooming in on the Picasa shots was wonderful.by RickM - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
My wife and I were driving westbound on Tioga Rd. on Saturday evening when we were flagged down (a few miles west of Tenaya Lake) near several stopped cars. A male hiker had collapsed, was unresponsive, and was receiving CPR from several bystanders. No one could get cell service from that location. We drove west until we were finally able to reach 911. We reported the situation and location and sby RickM - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I think Ten Lakes area is now closed. Rick M.by RickM - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion