Thanks for posting. I was at May Lake once and experienced the same thing you did. Brought back memories. A guy standing next to me at the time commented the reflection reminded him of an aligator mouth. Look at your last photo and see if you agree.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks. That helps put things in perspective.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotey_p_w The only place I've hiked where routine day hiking requires a permit is Desolation Wilderness near Tahoe. There it's a no-quota, no-fee self-issued permit. You write your names on the permit, your intended destinations down, drop the top copy in a box, and attach the permit to the group leader's pack or person. I'm not exactly sure what's the point, but they've done it this way foby The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I guess it depends on what you mean by "good", but I estimate you'd get a good view in about 11 miles one way from Toulumne meadows.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Great trip report. Thanks for posting.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Then why don't they make them the same diameter as the bare boxer ?by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the heads up. I wish they would make a smaller diameter (read, lighter weight and less bulky) weekender. I know they make a shorter one, but it's still the same diameter as the others. The large diameter is too bulky, IMHO.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteparklover There is little correlation between level of physical fitness and the ability to adjust to altitude. A couch potato could adjust better than a marathon runner. Go to http://www.altituderesearch.org/traveling-to-altitude/113 and http://www.altitudemedicine.org/index.php/altitude-medicine/stay-well-at-altitude for some good information. +1 That's one reason I recommend skby The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
My standard answer to this question is to see the essentials. They are worth it. Skip backpacking since its your first trip and you're more than likely not acclimated. Tour the valley as you mentioned, day hike to nevada falls, going up the mist trail. Go to glacier point, stopping by Taft point along the way. Go to the mariposa grove of big trees. Maybe go to Tioga pass and day hike up to Gaylorby The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks. Much appreciated. Since i live so far away (like Tomdisco) i have to rely on you guys to feed my addiction. I had hoped to get to that area this summer, but I've waited too long to get a permit. Right now the plan is to go to Kersarge pass area for a few days, then maybe to Yosemite. Maybe I can get a walk up permit.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Very nice. That's one of my favorite areas of the park. Thanks for posting.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteplawrence On Sunday, enjoyed a nice dinner at the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge: (But in all fairness, there are a number of signs around the lodge where it's named only as the Tuolumne Lodge (no Meadows in the name). But not once did I see a sign on the property referring to it as the Tuolumne Meadows HSC. ) But anyway, after the dinner had some time to take this 720ยบ photosynthby The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
If you can, camp at Toulumene Meadows for a couple of nights to get acclimated. Then hike to May Lake. To get to the trailhead for TM, follow CA120(Tioga road) past Tenya lake and past Olmstead point. Then maybe a mile past Olmstead point there's on old road to ML that turns off to the right. Take that road and follow to the end . The trailhead (with bear boxes) is at the end of the road. This iby The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
One more thought. I recommend you spend at least on night in TM to acclimate. Don't underestimate the effect of altitude, regardless of your level of fitness. So you might want to start at TM, and hike to Vogelsang, then to the valley. Then take the shuttle back to your car.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotechick-on It has been out of commission recently... so that may not be so. May have to dig for it. Q-rect. It's out of commission but still serves as a "landmark". The back packers campground is in the vicinity of the outhouse. Any campsite in the area is where the OP should set up unless he/she wants to go to Townsley or Vogelsang lake. To me, Townsley and V. Lake are more picturby The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Interesting that visitors are increasing but citations are decreasing. Does that mean Yosemite is getting more law abiding citizens, or.... ? Warnings were really high in '09 but really low in '10. I don't know what that means...by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Interesting. 30 miles per day is not my hiking style. Also, the pic in the article looks amazingly like 1000 island lake, not in Yosemite.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotebasilbop If you only need a large can for this one trip, my advice would be to rent the Bearikade Expedition--after making sure it fits into your pack. Sure, it's spendy, but it seems many people have problems stuffing 6-7 days' worth of food into a "normal" sized can, and often resort to storing food illegally the first few days out--not a good idea. The Expedition is only 5 ozby The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Really like the one of Yosemite fals. Love the reflection in the water ( Merced river?)by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotechick-on It's a single tree in a Meadow. I slept here: And I was told once when I said there is no off-season... that "even bears hibernate". Sure they do We can make the forum as busy as people like. Sometimes you get back what you give. Have fun out there Looks like a snow angel. Pretty cool.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotetomdisco Acadia, In November I gave a talk at REI for first time visitors and day hikers to Yosemite. A fair amount of time was devoted to Half Dome and I wish I had had use of that video. I generally describe it as a day hike out of hell best left undone by all but cyborgs. It's really best as part of an overnighter. I ended that portion of the talk by saying, "That ends my veryby The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It's the luck of the draw. You might get good neighbors, or not. Sept might be ok, but I would avoid it in the summer.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Chick-on has some interesting night pics from (near ?) HD of lights in the Valley.....by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Beautiful photo. I love the way the stars are reflecting in the water.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Interesting. The photo appears to have been taken above the valley floor. Were you on a hill, or....? Also, it appears there is a grain elevator in the distance. Is that the same one that is in the (in)famous half dome shot ?by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotemtn man QuoteParis92 I wonder if freezing temperatures cause it to diminish. Note #25: http://www.capitalhealth.ca/nr/rdonlyres/eadfrvwshjsrijkjghmls3zghxc2hxzkjube26dzceggyyuobvmhq6iqinaacbcfnykboyjxui3jjsf5bqurd2xsf4g/hantavirusfactsheet.pdf Also, I would think the cold weather would drive the mice inside.....by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It's my understanding you have to come into contact with an infected mouse, or it's excrement, to get the disease. I suppose fecal matter can become dust and therefore airborne, but other than that I don't think it's spread by airborne. I'm not a doctor (but I did spend last night at the Holiday Inn Express) so don't take my word as gospel.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteplawrence Quotetomdisco I would also be prepared for the likelyhood that once having visited the park you will want to return another time no matter how many other places there are to see. It's addictive! +1 +2by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
We camped before the subdome and left out packs in camp. No issues.by The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It's round tripby The Other Tom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion