Hello Fellow Yosemite Nuts! I have been bringing my kids to Yosemite at least once a year since they were in strollers or riding on my back. As they have grown up each of them has identified goals within the park that they want to accomplish. A few years back, when my daughter was only 6 years old, we were hiking around Olmstead Pt. when she looked up at Clouds Rest and said "I want toby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Olmstead point and the Snow Creek trail are beautiful and IMO more picturesque than the Porcupine Creek trail. But we're talking Yosemite here so you really can't go wrong. PC trail head is a good option for the type of trip you mention. You can start there and end there without re-tracing your steps too much. No need to worry about buses or hitchhiking. We went from that trail head to theby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I did a similar trip a few years back that ended by coming down the Yosemite Falls trail. We left a car along 120 where we started and went back to get it when we were done. We were forced to leave the car at the Curry Village Parking lot also. I thought we were pretty smart though. We left my mountain bike locked up at the walk-in campground and used that to go get the car at the end of theby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Frank, you are right on the money. I was thinking the exact same thing as I read through it. There is really only one logical and reasonable alternative presented. The rest are designed to drive you to that one alternative. The powers that be have made up their minds, and I really doubt any public comments will change their course. I just hope their motivations are in the right place.by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Any time in May is a great time to come and see the waterfalls. Even in low snow years the water rages through the valley in spring. Some years are better than others, but if you are comparing to your only experience in October, trust me, you and your parents will be impressed.by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wonderful work! Can't wait for spring!!!!by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
That's just awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Seems like a good way to distribute the passes. I don't see any real mechanisms to minimize the scalping. I've been up there three times with the last time (2005) in crowded conditions. I have no need to go up HD again, at least until my kids are old enough to go. So this will be interesting to watch from the sidelines. Luck goes to those that plan ahead!!!!!!by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Don't worry about where to spend a few hours near Glen Aulin. There's back country beauty everywhere you look. I like basil's plan the best as well. I'd get an early start, drop my bags at the HSC and head down the canyon as far as you feel comfortable going. It is really an amazing hike...even if you don't get all the way down and even if the water is not raging! Don't miss the sunsetby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
My condolences to the family. I too took great pleasure in his posts. Many smiles! Rest in Peace!by Jayabrams - General Discussion
That was wonderful. Thank you for posting that. I'll have to go look for more of those! The explosion of color after the late snow melt this year was awe inspiring! My daughter (9 years old) took pictures of every little flower we came across. She was fascinated!by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Very Cool...Thanks!by Jayabrams - General Discussion
If you are coming from the Hwy 120 side, about 15 miles before the entrance gate is Rainbow Pools. A fork of the Tuolumne River flows under the road and there is a turnout with a parking lot. It can be a bit crowded and littered, but it is a great spot for a swim and has a nice 20+ ft jump off a rock next to a waterfall. If the parking lot is full, just keep on going...it's not worth it.by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I love your smiling rock picture Itchbay! I just walked past that on Tuesday. A happy end to a long day of hiking!by Jayabrams - General Discussion
It's easy to find. The unofficial trail is only a couple hundred yards from the official mileage sign at the beginning of the trail at Happy Isles and just past the rockfall sign. You shared the link to the same website I used to find the trail. You will have no problem finding it...unlike everyone else who walks by, you just have to be looking for it! Once off the trail, watch for the cairnsby Jayabrams - General Discussion
Just back from two nights at Vogelsang. Tuolumne Meadows was crowded and over run with visitors, but the mosquitoes were very mild. You will notice the increase as you hike up the Rafferty trail. We got a little lucky with the weather as a nice breeze was blowing on Sunday and Monday. This held the mosquitoes to a manageable level. On Tuesday, the weather was still once again and the cby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
There are so many but here's my favorite memory. In 1979 (I was 9) my family moved from Virginia to CA. All of our friends and family were back east so my Father made it a point to explore our new home state. We covered most everything he could find.... In 1981, we did a backpacking trip to Halfdome. In hindsight, he was crazy to bring three boys, all under 12 years old, backpacking by hby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Glad to see the HSC people are on this site. Highsierra1, I'll be at your camp for dinner on Sunday the 14th. Can't wait to meet you! We are doing meals only and plan on staying at the BPer's camp. How close are the sites to the HSC? Can we hear the bell at dinner time? Mmmmm...I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! Thanks!by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I have reservations for meals only on Sunday and Monday 8/14 &15 at Vogelsang. My brother and I are taking four kids under age 12. A glutton for punishment. It's funny...today, the website says the opening date is Sat August 9th??? (ummm....that's a Tuesday) Anyway, I called last week and was assured it would be open for my dates. I had expected we would get the height of the mosqby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
How about an option for "I didn't know where it is until you mentioned it...now I want to go!" Follow the chicken!by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Sounds like a fantastic trip. On all the occasions that I've used the harness set-up, I've had the same reaction from other hikers. They wish they had one too! Thank you for taking care of those in need on the trail. I always bring a little extra for just such an occasion. I know you can't help everyone who is unprepared...but you did a nice thing in helping when you did! On my last triby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hmmm...20 years ago you say... That may have been a guy I know. He suffered bad, but the beer sure tasted good. He never made it to the top of HD by the way. Drank a few in the AM and was out of it for the rest of the day!by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Years ago, with my young family, we came across a bear feeding in a meadow about 200 yards off of Tioga Pass Road near the parking lot for the Sequoia Grove . No one was around and so I pulled into the only safe pullout nearby and got completely off the pavement. We tried to set up in a viewing spot out of sight of the road to no avail. Before long the traffic and craziness began. People stby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
That is beautiful. I had lunch next to this falls on Saturday. I remember staring in awe at the towering canyon walls wondering what it looked like from up there.... Better than I imagined. Thanks!by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
That was probably a car with our group. We were starting in TM and ending at May Lake and wanted to leave a car rather than use the shuttle. When the dirt road was closed and the Sunrise parking was packed, we left our car there where the trail crosses Tioga. We ended up going back out through TM and picking that car up on the way out. It seemed like a good idea at the time...by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hi Katy, The scout troop that I was leading voted to stay a second night at Glen Aulin and do the day hike down to Waterwheel instead of going to May Lake. It was a good decision. The GC of the Tuolumne was in perfect form! Rangers we met while hiking in said the trail was still snow covered in stretches past Murphy Creek and that the May Lake was still partially frozen.by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I was at the Glen Aulin camp over the weekend. It officially opened for it's first guests on Sunday. One of the crew there said he was supposed to be working at the Sunrise camp but they sent him to Glen Aulin because they are expecting only about a 4-5 week season. I have a reservation at Vogelsang beginning August 21st. If your reservation is around the same time as mine, I think we've naby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just back from a 3 day trip in Tuolumne Meadows. It's official...spring is here! (Better late than never) We had wonderful weather. Not a cloud in the sky. The water levels are down but still very awe inspiring. Wildflowers abound everywhere. The mosquitos are out in full force, so be prepared. (or suffer) The Tuolumne river as it tumbles past Glen Aulin and down through the Grand Canby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I agree with basil. The equipment is not intended for this specific use. However, if it eases your fears, allows you to complete the climb, and doesn't inconvenience others, it's better than nothing.by Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I have used a harness/caribiner system on the Half Dome cables on my last three visits. It is very easy to do and adds a nice level of safety to the climb. I am not so much worried about myself, but others on the cables above me. You will need to detach and re-attach at each post that holds the cable in position. Most people will use these spots to rest on the cross-boards, so it will not sby Jayabrams - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion