QuoteDavidK42Not trying to kick off the great "The Parks should be accomodating" vs. "The Parks should be undeveloped" debate but, to be fair, we should note that Yellowstone is approximately 3 times the size of Yosemite (roughly 9000 sq km vs just over 3000) so, by area, Yosemite actually has MORE campgrounds than Yellowstone.Yosemite has fewer camp sites - and they want to tby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
This shows a dire need for more campgrounds. Yosemite has 900. Yellowstone has over 2,000.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I went through it 4 times today. Five minute delay at the most. CalTrans crews on 140 in the canyon posed more of a delay.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuotedqnielWent to Morgan Territory yesterday and did the Volvon Loop. It was beautiful but almost no wild flowers. I'll post some pictures when I have more time.Good. I'm glad you tried that one. That's one of my favorite places. QuoteIf I want to try to get out to Hite Cove and Yosemite tomorrow does anybody know if road conditions would turn us around? We'd be coming from Staples Ave, Saby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotedqnielp.s. - Today I think we're going to go to something closer to San Fran. Possibly a smaller redwood park along 101 or hwy 1 or maybe some beaches. We might do some of the hikes in Pt Reyes and then go to a beach or something, but once again we're open to ideas. Maximum of an hour and a half outside of the city for today's adventures I'd say.You can get all of that on Angel Island - aby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I was there yesterday. Nothing new. Next weekend, with warmer temps all week, should be pretty good.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuotedqnielDamn it! I just got here yesterday..Why did you bring the snow with you? QuoteGirlfriend is doing her job interview today, then we'll hopefully be seeing some Redwoods, waterfalls, wildflowers, etc. But if this shutdown happens, I guess we'll be using state parks to see all those things.You can still see them this weekend. Also, the Hite's Cove Trail will be open. There is alwaysby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Great! I'm supposed to start Monday.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I was listening to the initial calls on my scanner. I thought the guy was not going to make it. Thanks for the update.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteAlmostThereTalked to the FS office - they are sending someone out today to check the trail. They didn't know it was that bad. They'll take care of the trees then. QuoteAdditionally, I am setting up our hiking group as a potential source of trailwork volunteers.Count me in. I've done a lot of trail repair with volunteer crews. I even took a class on trail building/repair.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I know everyone is tired of hearing about the Ohlone, but there are some tule elk at Sunol if you know where to find them.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteAlmostThereAlso there is a ton of downed trees across the trail. A particularly bad one involving multiple trees turned us around about halfway - some of our group wouldn't have been able to get through it. Hopefully that will all be cleared by next weekend, someone was already cutting away some of the deadfall.I don't know if there is any group that maintains the trail. I'll check into it oby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I was there today. Saw some valley poppies, woodland stars, popcorn, goldfields, pretty face, blue dicks, POISON OAK, fringe pod, and a bunch of other stuff. It's all just starting. Next week should be great!by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It's there now.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I just looked and saw nothing.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteplawrenceAlso, just a few miles outside of the Park's boundary, there's the Stanislaus National Forest Campground, Dimond O, that has a number of campsites that can accomodate a 40' RV. The booking window for the Dimond O Campground starts this Sunday, April 3rd: Dimond O Camground Information & ReservationsNice place. It used to be my Boy Scout camp. It's a long ways from the Valley thby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The Mariposa Fair Grounds can easily accommodate your rig. Power and water hookups too. On grass. Showers. Not the prettiest spot, but it's cheap and close to town. About 45 minutes from the Arch Rock Entrance.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuotedqnielYep. Dayhikes only. I might be able to get some camping equipment from my brother but it's not going to be highly portable, so I won't be camping far from where parking is available. So in other words, while I might spend two days at a park, it will be all dayhikes within that period due to lack of lightweight camping equipment. Also, I'll be staying with my brother in downtown Sanby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotechick-onI think you guys are putting Ohlone on a pedestal. There are so many other nice parks that have lots of great views that are easier, etc. than Ohlone Trail. That's if they needed an overnight hike in the Bay Area. QuoteBilly dayhiked the whole thing at the end of April a few years ago: That's sad. The trail is best enjoyed in 3 or more days. Why hurry? QuoteIt is nice... Buby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
If you're stuck in the Bay Area and want a day hike; try Morgan Territory. Take the Volvon Loop Trail for some fantastic wildflower displays.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteAlmostThereIf you go this Saturday you will see us - I have a botanist and a bunch of folks from my hiking group going. Weather looks great, a few clouds, slight chance of rain... I'll look for you. If you have a botanist with you, the pace won't be very fast. QuoteI did the Ohlone about a month ago. Had snow and miles of slick mud - had a blast. Even tho the really steep bits were alsoby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've been hiking for decades and have never brought anything that used a 9v battery nor have I ever brought steel wool. Not much use for survival if you don't have it. What I have used in an emergency was a cotton shirt. Cut into small strips, it started nicely with matches.by Dave - General Discussion
QuoteSandpiper11How are the wildflowers in Hite Cove looking this year? Things in full bloom yet?I haven't been there yet. The canyon side the trail is on gets full sun all day. It warms up faster there than elsewhere. I might go this weekend. I'll report back if I do. About the Ohlone Trail in the Far East San Francisco Bay Area; I would, and have, taken out of town guests on that trail. We dby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuotedqnielThanks for the additional input Dave I've never seen wildflowers in peak season during any of my trips, so hopefully I can this time.If you want wildflowers, the best wildflower trail in the state is the Hites Cove Trail. It's in the Merced River Canyon. at Savages where the South Fork of the Merced joins enters the canyon. http://www.yosemitehikes.com/not-yosemite/hite-cove/hite-by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
There is no real rafting in the Valley itself. I'd call it more floating than rafting. The white water rafting is outside the valley in the Merced River Canyon. The Zephyr should start the beginning of April.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuotemrcondronBefore school is out in the spring and after it starts in the fall.That's the best. Summer week days aren't too bad. If it's a holiday weekend - stay home! It could take over 4 hours just to do the Valley Loop - and that is after waiting in line at the entrance gate for an hour or so.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteAlmostThereHave you done things like Big Basin, Butano, Pescadero, or any of the bajillion state parks and open space preserves in the Santa Cruz Mountains? Henry Coe State Park near Morgan Hill? Ohlone Wilderness, or just one of the three parks along it - Sunol, Mission Peak or Del Valle? Marin Headlands? I'd like to second the Ohlone Wilderness. You can take a nice 3 to 4 day trail with cby Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
For those unfamiliar; that's the Big Oak Flat Entrance and the South Entrance. Arch Rock, near Mariposa, is usually open since it's at a much lower level. It could close any time though and there's often rock slides after a lot of rain like we've had today. Call first.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
That's not true. Just ask any oil company.by Dave - General Discussion
If I remember correctly those are Foothill poppies, Eschscholzia caespitosa Benth. They did not have that red receptacle rim under the flower. At least the ones I looked at didn't have that rim.by Dave - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion