For permits after late April, the reservations work like this: "Wilderness Permit Reservations Sixty percent of wilderness permit reservations become available by lottery 24 weeks in advance. Of these, any remaining reservations after each week's lottery become available on a first-come, first-served basis the Friday after the lottery application period closes and are available up to tby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The window for permits has already opened. Look for Yosemite wilderness permits on recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/445859by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
See my PMby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I would not plan on Tioga Pass (HWY 120) opening by 6/2. It might, and you might want to get reservations on the eastern side just in case, but you will most likely have to cancel these. Inside the park, many campgrounds have not started taking reservations yet. Keep looking. Sometimes the park will not necesarily announce when sites will become available to reserve. The new policy for theby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Well its 657 pages, and too big to email, but I found the link: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/management/upload/YHcontract.pdfby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The contract is public record, and I have a copy. Maintenance and repair is Aramark's responsibility, and the contract even has minimum amounts to spend. Personally, I think Aramark has committed "waste" and allowed the facilities to descend into severe disrepair.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
YEP.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
To be accurate: Five Months in Advance Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow campground reservations are released five months in advance on the 15th of each month. Sites are gone within seconds, not minutes.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I have two sets of reservations for both White Wolf, and Tuolumne Meadows. I hope against the odds that at least one opens this summer early enough for me to use the reservations. I also have HSC reservations for the 5th year (6th?) in hopes they open. We will see. At a minimum, i hope the White Wolf backpackers campground opens this year....That is not under Aramark's control, so at leasby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
To the other Tom: You should know by now that anything posted by Aramark is suspect. It's either inaccurate to start or not followed through. I'll bet you 10 pushups that either WW, TML, or the HSC's won't open in 2024. I sincerly hope I'm wrong, but the lack of work on WW lodge during this amazing summer is consistent with the woeful history. In any event, I'll be happy to payup if I get toby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Parklover, Thanks for the information. I was wondering if Aramark took the opportunity to work on White Wolf, Tuolumne Lodge, High Sierra Camps, the golf course, etc during the summers when they were closed. It appears not. Then they claim the the most recent years weather is the reason the facilities don't open. Thats a sorry excuse. It seems Aramark has abandoned every facility but theby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Fat flatlander, Thanks for highlighting the mis-information by Aramark. Communication is something else Aramark fails at doing. I submitted an unguided trip request for 2024 after winning a spot last year. My request is flexible as to date and direction, I just want 2 nights in Sunrise. The website states: "As a 2023 High Sierra Camp lottery winner, you will be guaranteed a winniby Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Bridalveil Creek is apparently not opening either: "Outside Yosemite Valley: Open: Reservations required: Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, Tamarack Flat, Porcupine Flat First-come, first served: First come-first-served camping is not available until October. Closed: Bridalveil Creek (not opening in 2023), Crane Flat (not opening in 2023), White Wolf (not opening in 2023), Yosemite Creek (notby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Aramark can't even figure out how to open the golf course, much less any facility that's actually off the main roads.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
CURSES!!!!!! Anyone else immensely dislike aramark?by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It looks like the author draws a distinction between large RV's and technology.... The article is from 9/8/22. There is no projected Crane Flat opening date for 2023, but the website currently states: "Crane Flat Campground is scheduled to be open for the 2023 season pending completion of the rehabilitation project that started last year." Bridalveil Creek is not open yet either.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Well, It looks like I'm in the minority of you guys with opnions on this, .. so knock yourselves outby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hi Balzaccon, I appreciate your service and your experience. I don't pretend, I read. According to the National Park service, in the article I quoted: "hey all have the same rule: If you come across a cairn, do not disturb it. Don’t knock it down or add to it." Your quarrel is not with me, I'm simply pointing out the rule according to the national park service, the reasby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hot Rod and Balzaccon, I realize this is a devisive issue, as there is an obvious disagreement between Yosemite and every other park, and reasonable minds can disagree, so please do not take this personally, but... I don't build them, and I don't knock them over. (I don't destroy fire rings either). Logic does not dictate that if you don't build them, then its OK to knock them down. My lby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Devils Postpile National Monument is closed Date Posted: 7/14/2023Alert 1, Severity closure, Devils Postpile National Monument is closed While Reds Meadow Road to Devils Postpile National Monument (including shuttle service) opens starting July 21, Devils Postpile remains closed until sanitation facilities are available. It is possible to hike to Rainbow Falls from shuttle stop #9.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It looks like it will only make 2 stops, with no services: Devil's Postpole, and rainbow falls: "Reds Meadow Shuttle Update: Reds Meadow Road will open Friday morning, July 21, 2023 with access to Reds Meadow and Rainbow Falls ONLY. NO SERVICES are available at Devils Postpile. There will be no bus service to ESTA stop #8. Access to Rainbow Falls is only available from the USFS Trailhby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The reservation period did help with crowds. I'm a fan.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
According to a recent National Park Article, you are not supposed to knock over cairns. You may be doing more harm than good: https://www.nps.gov/articles/rockcairns.htm "Each park has a different way it maintains trails and cairns; however, they all have the same rule: If you come across a cairn, do not disturb it. Don’t knock it down or add to it. Follow the guidelines from the Leby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I disagree with knocking them over. Other natitional park managers say NOT to knock them over. Why, because you do not know who set them up.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'm glad you made it back to Yosemite, and I feel your pain regarding Aramark's clueless operations.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
9 years?!? It's time to return.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Aramark doesn't have the fortitude to publicly post the closures, but they hasd the gall/apathy to state that I cancelled my reservations: "We're sorry to hear that you've cancelled your reservation to stay at the White Wolf Lodge..." That's BS. I didn't cancell anything, and would not know about the cancellation if it was not for this forum.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Predictable. It was around this time last year they cancelled as well.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
From the Contract with aramark: signed in 2015, through 2/28/31: Pacific West Region Stan Austin, Regional Director National Park Service 333 Bush Street, Suite 500 San Francisco, CA 94104-2828 415-623-2100by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Tuolumne Meadows and White Wolf show no indication that they will be closed this summer--yet. I'll bet 100 pushups they will not open this summer.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion