Yosemite Blog

Category: Travel

  • Climbing’s Growing Popularity Damaging to the Environment

    Climbing Yosemite’s big walls and peaks has long been considered a sport for only the most hardcore but with the sports growing popularity many would-be peak baggers are making their way out of the gym and heading for the National Parks where growing crowds of climbers are wreaking havoc on the environment. Daily Herald: “Evidence…

  • Fall in Yosemite a Favorite Among Many

    Fall is a beautiful time to visit Yosemite but this year seems to be extra special as the perfect combination of tempertatures and conditions are leading to one of the most spectacular displays of fall colors in recent history. UnionDemocrat.com: “‘Fall – it’s my favorite season,’ park botanist Lisa Acree said during a walk through…

  • Photo of the Day: iPhone atop Half Dome! by Min Liu

    Every-so-often I come a cross a photo in my search for Photo of the Day that makes me smile. Today’s Photo of the Day comes from Min Liu who took her Apple iPhone hiking with her to the top of Half Dome. Min says: “I got full reception atop Half Dome in Yosemite “no reception”…

  • It’s Different in the Winter

    Yosemite is a different place in the winter, one that the millions of visitors who only come during the busy season (June, July, August) never see. It’s a little more quiet, there’s a little more solitude and life takes on a slower pace as the surrounding mountains lie under a deep blanket of snow. Don’t…

  • Road Trip Report: Ancient Bristlecone Pines, Patriarch Grove.

    Yesterday morning I headed east on 120 over [Tioga Pass]; destination the [Patriarch Grove] in the Ancient Bristlecone Pines of the White Mountains, east of Big Pine, CA. I arrived at about 3pm, paid my $2.50 entrance fee at the visitor’s center, and headed down the 12 mile dirt road to the Patriarch Grove. It…

  • What’s In a Bag? Comfort as well as Sophistication

    Yesterday I showed you what’s in my [camera] bag now I’m going to talk a little bit about the bag itself. My wife and I have carried dozens of packs and bags over the years with a good bit of trail time to find out what works for us and what doesn’t and I can…

  • Something Fun for the Whole Family

    My wife and I have something fun we like to do every time we go to Yosemite and it’s something you can even get your kids involved with. Every time we’re in the park we go to this same spot and take a picture of [Half Dome] reflected in the Merced. The goal is to…

  • Yosemite in January and February: What to Expect and a Travelers Tip

    Bharath writes: “Hey i am a traveler from India. I will be in California during the month of February. Does Yosemite get frigid in that period? How easy/tough would it be to get a reservation for a room in January for the same.” Well Bharath I’ll answer the first part of your question with a…

  • Trails Closed Due to Construction

    There’s a lot of construction taking place around Yosemite Valley right now that is affecting traffic but even hiking you may be surprised to find some of the more prominent trails closed. Here’s a quick list from the National Park Service of trails and their closures. Bridalveil View Foot Trail Closed – Tuesday 10/16 thru…

  • Detour Ahead: Roadwork Slated to Begin on 120 Route

    Heading up 120 to Yosemite over the next few weeks will take you a little longer than you planned as road crews will begin work on the Sierra Northern Railway line where it crosses Highway 120 between Yosemite Junction and Chinese Camp. Modesto Bee: “The road closure will occur between Highways 108 and 49 near…