Well Not Geezer, Aramark does seem to have scrubbed every reference to the Tuolumne shuttle from its website. I never did get a reply to my last email,but it looks like somebody got the message that you just can't stop a service that people rely upon, while still publishing that the bus is running We need to reach someone now that can get the message that we still need the shuttle!.by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
More like they didn't hire enough drivers. Aramark is unbelievably institutionally incompetent. The employees are nice, but uninformed to say the least. We really need to send lots of notes, so someone gets the message that publishing, and giving false information is not OK! And we want the shuttle back, it doesn't have to be free. Below is my most recent email exchange with Aramark: Mby Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The shuttle is NOT running this year. According to Tony, a Concession Management Specialist from Yosemite National Park, Aramark intended to run the shuttle this summer, but after posting the information, decided not to run the Tuolumne Shuttle in order to keep the drivers available for the valley routes. Tony was sympathetic to our frustrations, but had no solutions, other than for us to writeby Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Well, I've gotten so much conflicting information. I've called the tour reservation number at Aramark, and got two different answers; I've read everything on the Yosemite website, including the concessionaire contract with Aramark; I've read everything on Aramark's website, which indicates the shuttle is running; I've called the Yosemite Ranger office but did not get a call back, I've emailed Arby Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Here is the link to the newly posted schedule on the NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmbus.htm Interesting that it says it was revised 7/5/16, but it was not there July 7, 2018. It's still not ARAMARK confirming that the shuttle is running, so I'd be suspicious until someone reliable confirms the shuttle is running.by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I still cannot get an accurate answer from either Aramark or YNP. However, the Contract between the NPS and Aramark states the Concessionaire: is authorized but not required to provide the following visitor services during the term of this Contract: iii. Visitor Transportation Services (VTS) - Tuolumne Meadows Shuttle - Badger Pass Shuttle Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Valley to Badger Pasby Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
According to Sharon Avant at Aramark, she believes the TuolumneShuttle bus is still running, and stopping at 12 spots.by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
WOW! It still shows up on the NPS website! This could really hurt someone (like me). I just assumed the shuttles still ran. However when I called ARAMARK, they acted like it never existed. One girl asked me when was I last there (last summer). Another lady told me the shuttle was still running! She tried to email the schedule, but was unsuccessful. Cut and pasted just now: Tuolumnby Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Modest is better than Drastic. News Release Date: April 12, 2018 Contact: NPS Office of Communications Modified fee structure addresses feedback from public on original fee proposal WASHINGTON – As part of its ongoing efforts to address aging park infrastructure and improve the visitor experience, the National Park Service (NPS) announced today changes to the entrance fees charged atby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
What happens May 1?by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Does anyone have any update on whether the National Parks will implement the "Targeted Fee Increases" this year?by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I made that trek in Aug 2013. Be sure to spend the night in Onion Valley and get lots of rest as the first 3 miles are butt-kickers. I recommend the john Muir Trail Book to pick campsites near water, bear boxes, etc. Be sure to camp on the rocks next to guitar lake for an easy jump into the lake/bath! The toilet at crabtree meadows is not to be missed either!by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The annual pass would remain at $80: The cost of the annual America the Beautiful- The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which provides entrance to all federal lands, including parks for a one-year period, would remain $80.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
it's HUGE! From the NPS: Peak-Season Entrance Fee and Commercial Tour Permit and Fee Proposals The National Park Service is considering increases to fees at 17 national parks during peak visitor seasons. The peak season for each park would be defined as its busiest contiguous five-month period of visitation. During the peak season at each park, the entrance fee would be $70 per private, noby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Check out Onion Valley. You could hike up to Kearsarge Pass if so inclined!by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Have fun!by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
On June 30, the loft was not open.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
From 6/27 to 6/30 we hiked Tamarack Campground to El Cap, Eagle Point, Yosemite Falls area, Yosemite Point, North Dome, back to Yosemite Creek, and down the Yosemite Falls trail. No Stream or creek crossings were difficult, but Ribbon Meadow was a swamp and mosquito deluge. We camped near Ribbon creek on night 1, on Yosemite creek about 1/2 mile north of the junction with the north rim trail foby Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Thanks, I thought I saw that stop before. As congested as the Bridalveil parking lot is, it seems they would keep the shuttle stop. Would have been nice this year.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Was there one last year? The last week of June, we were looking for one, and couldn't find it.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Now that Tamarack Flat campground is open, I wonder if people who backpack from tamarack flat can park in the campground, or do they have to park by the trailhead on Tioga Road?by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The Yose NPS news is: June 13, 2017 El Portal Road in Yosemite National Park Remains Closed The El Portal Road and Arch Rock Entrance into Yosemite National Park remain closed due to a rockslide that occurred yesterday around Noon. Yosemite National Park staff are assessing the area and the road will remain closed at least through the weekend of June 17-18, 2017. After the assessment is coby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
El Portal Road & Arch Rock Entrance closed through weekend of June 17-18 due rockslide that occurred Monday. Caltrans District10 Per @YosemiteNPSby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I did a very similar trip starting June 22, 2011, and we had to forego Clouds rest. However, I believe that the extra time you have this year will make it doable. I say go for it, but be prepared to revise your route around Clouds rest if good judgment tells you to do so.by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Knowing the Bear Box locations is always a priority. The park list the trailheads with boxes, but not the campgrounds. Its seems weird that they have no extra's at the campground. Does Yosemite Creek or Porcupine flat have extras?by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Those pics are soo much better than Google earth! Thanks Chick-On. I can't wait to get there.by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Rafting the Tuolumne during the day, starting the hike that evening. We will have multiple cars.by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Chick-on, If you were hiking at night, would you take the road or the trail to Tamarack flat campground?by Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks Guys.by Coolburn - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Chick-on Nothing you write is a waste of time. I read and appreciate it all! Thanks for the tips and expertise. I'm trying to make sure I have all contingencies covered. Ideally my north rim trek would leave from Tamarack Flat campground, exit Porcupine Flat, and catch the Tuolumne Hiker's bus back to the Tamarack campground, but the road has to be open, the bus has to be running, and it'sby Coolburn - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion