Tag: Camping

Yosemite Campground Reservations Now Available Dec 15th on Recreation.gov

Posted on by lbschutte

To camp in Camp 4 you don't need a reservation but for the campgrounds you do need a reservation for reservations will start being accepted online December 15th 2010.

To camp in Camp 4 you don’t need a reservation but for the campgrounds you do need a reservation for reservations will start being accepted online December 15th 2010. Photo by Eva (aka Researchgirl on Flickr).

I’d been hearing that reservations for Yosemite campgrounds would be going on sale early this year but it looks like the November 15th opening date has been pushed back a few weeks. Here’s an update from Recreation.gov on when they’ll be offering reservations for next spring.

The November 15, 2010 on-sale will be postponed until December 15. This change is required as we schedule and conduct road construction projects that are slated for the spring of 2011. Reservations for Yosemite Valley Campgrounds with an arrival date of March 15 to May 14, 2011 will be available on December 15, 2010 at 10am Eastern (7am Pacific). Please visit us on December 15 to secure your arrival and stays dates within March 15 to May 14, 2011. (Recreation.gov)

Ok. So December 15th if you’re planning on booking camping spots for early in the season.

Yosemite Creek Campground Bridge Rebuilt – Offers More Campsites

Posted on by lbschutte

In January 1997, Yosemite experienced a major flood, which severely impacted the entire park washing out the road and destroying many of the campgrounds in Yosemite Valley. It also demolished the bridge that connected the two camping sections of the Yosemite Creek Campground, resulting in the closure of the back section. Now, after 13 years, the National Park Service has rebuilt the bridge and opened up the back section to camping once again offering visitors an additional camping sites to choose from.

If you’re interested in camping at Yosemite Creek Campground, it’s a first-come, first-served campground located off the Tioga Road (Highway 120) about one hour north of Yosemite Valley. The campground is very rustic with no access for trailers or RV’s (perfect if you’re looking to escape the noise of generators running all the time) with only creek water that must be boiled before drinking.

Each campsite contains a fire ring, picnic table, and food locker. Cost is $10 per night.

For more information visit http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/ycreekcamp.htm.

More Campgrounds Open for Season

Posted on by lbschutte

Yosemite Park Map

After a long wait some of the campgrounds along the Tioga Road have finally opened for the season. Not all of the campgrounds are open and some are only partially open so be sure to call ahead for the latest conditions.

Tuolumne Meadows
Very limited space. No reservations at this time. Available first-come, first-served until more of the campground opens. Cost: $20

Crane Flat
Reservations only. First-come, first-served camping available as more of the campground opens. Cost: $20

Tamarack Flat
First-come, first-served. No RVs or trailers. No pets. No running water. Cost: $10

Yosemite Creek
First-come, first-served. No RVs or trailers. Pets ok. No running water. Cost: $10

White Wolf
Closed.

Porcupine Flat
Closed.

For more information on open campgrounds please visit the National Park Service campgrounds page.

Map courtesy National Park Service.

Happy 4th of July – What you need to know this holiday weekend

Posted on by lbschutte

Celebrating Freedom by Tim Hamilton

Fourth of July is by far my favorite holiday. Good food, family and lots of fireworks. There’s a few things you need to know before heading to the park this holiday weekend.

  1. Book early. Hotel rooms and campgrounds for the 4th of July holiday book up months in advance. If you’re going to try to get a spot this weekend in the park you’re going to be in for a lot of disappointment. Maybe try one of the many National Forest Campgrounds outside the park.
  2. No fireworks. Because July is one of the most dangerous months for fire in the Sierra fireworks aren’t allowed in Yosemite or the surrounding communities.
  3. Drink lots of water. The 4th of July holiday is usually hot. Drink a lot of water before and while you hike. If you’re not peeing frequently you’re not drinking enough.
  4. Sunblock. It’s a must. Don’t ruin your weekend having to hide inside your tent or RV because you’re so sunburned it hurts to go outside.
  5. Use caution around rivers and streams. Yeah, it’s hot. It’s 90 degrees outside but the rivers are a chilly 42 degrees. What’s that mean? Hypothermia. Hypothermia can strike in a few minutes for adults and seconds for kids. Read our page on hypothermia. It just might save your life.
  6. Only have a campfire at night. July 4th is notoriously crowded in Yosemite and the air can get bad very quickly because of all the cars and campfires. Plan on making your campfire only at night. During the day high pressure can trap the smoke in the Valley adding to the smog. Only make a campfire at night when nighttime breezes will help blow the smoke from campfires out of the Valley.
  7. Hike early when it’s cooler. Common sense here people. You don’t want Search and Rescue to have to pull you off a trail because you’re overheated and have heat stroke.
  8. Give bears a chance, drive the speed limit.
  9. Watch your food. Make sure it’s put away. Bears are a serious problem and you will be cited for not properly storing your food.
  10. Don’t drink and drive. Mountain roads are not place to meet a drunk driver or be one. More people are killed in Yosemite each year in automobile accidents. Don’t be a statistic.

Photo by Tim Hamilton.

What’s In Store for Memorial Day

Posted on by lbschutte

With Memorial Day fast approaching you might want to rethink your plans to visit the park if you haven’t already scored the elusive campsite or hotel reservation.

Lodging
Traffic is expected to be at an all time high as visitation has been up the last few months as people have been searching for “pocket-book friendly” vacations. Already campgrounds are almost full with only a couple first-come, first-served spaces left and those are expected to fill up as the weekend approaches.

If you’re really determined to visit Yosemite have a look at some of the surrounding communities for lodging and campgrounds but with the Strawberry Music Festival at Camp Mather and the big holiday weekend everyone I’ve contacted is booked up already.

I’ve got a couple calls out still for rooms so if I hear anything I’ll get it up. Not looking good though.

Traffic
If you are entering the park expect short delays at entrance stations. Remember to obey all speed limits. Traffic laws are strictly enforced and you WILL be cited.

Parking at the most popular spots (Glacier Point, Yosemite Village, Bridalveil Fall, Curry Village and Tunnel View) fill up quickly. Ride the free shuttle or a bike instead of driving. You’ll find you not only get around quicker, but you enjoy not having the headache of a car.

Rivers
The Merced River and all streams in the park are flowing with snowmelt. That means they’re extremely cold. Stay out of the water. it only takes a few minutes to become hypothermic. Stay safe, stay out of the water.

Trails
Seems like most visitors to Yosemite have one thought in mind, climb Half Dome. That said you can bet Memorial Day Weekend is a bad weekend to choose to hike to the top of Half Dome. The line can be VERY long and sometimes take HOURS to get to the top once you reach the cables. If you’re going to be spending a few days after the weekend in the park try going up Thursday prior or Tuesday-Friday after Memorial Day. You’ll find the line significantly less. Don’t forget to bring your own gloves. Memorial Day weekend gloves disappear quickly and the cables suck when they’re hot and you don’t have gloves.

The trail to Upper Yosemite Falls is usually crowded on Memorial Day weekend but not nearly as bad as the Mist Trail and the trail leading up to Half Dome.

If you really want some spectacular views try the trail to Sentinel Dome or Taft Point. Artists Point is another great hike. For directions stop at the visitors center or ask the concierge of your hotel. Don’t forget to get a good map and take LOTS of water.

Outside the Park
Go to Bodie. No. Really. Once termed “hell on Earth” Bodie is a ghost town held in suspended animation. It’s fun, historic and kids love it. You can also bring your dog on a leash if they’re well behaved.

With a little snow on the Sierra sunrise at Mono Lake is awesome. The first rays of the sun catching the rugged peaks of the Eastern Sierra and tufa, man how can you pass that up.

Both Bodie and Mono Lake are a short drive outside the eastern entrance of Yosemite on the Tioga Road (Highway 120) and make for added adventure. If all you’re plans were to stay in the Valley I recommend really checking out these two gems. So worth it.

Warm Rains Pushing Merced to Brink

Posted on by lbschutte

Warm rains caused increased snowmelt this weekend pushing the Merced River in Yosemite Valley almost to flood stage.

Merced Sun Star: The whirling water forced the evacuation of 71 campsites near the river, according to the National Park Service.
There were no injuries reported from the high water or the evacuation.

The surging river also increased the level of Lake McClure by more than 23,000-acre-feet in three days, which may lessen the drought’s impact on local farmers, according to the Merced Irrigation District.
An acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons, roughly the volume a Valley family would use in a year.

Yosemite Valley received 1.47 inches of rain Friday and an additional 1.11 Saturday, said Yosemite National Park spokeswoman Kari Cobb.

The combination of more than two inches of rain and a heavy snowmelt swelled the Merced River to near its flood level of 10 feet.

The river rose to nine feet Friday night and Saturday morning, said Cobb.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Yosemite Valley on Friday and Saturday. The agency predicted the river would rise to 12 feet.

Rains are expected to continue today and then break up into scattered showers on Wednesday leading into a warm and sunny weekend.