Yosemite 2013

I'd be down for this too!! Here's the permit info, registration is coming up quick in March:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm

 

Half dome has gotten way too busy. The only way (in my opinion) to climb it safely is to get up to half dome by 6 or 7 in the morning before everyone is up there waiting in line to make it up.

The past couple of years that we've gone we have done this and it has worked out fine, we've almost always made up there before the ranger is asking for the passes so we haven't needed to show ours haha

 

either way its still an awesome place that I want to visit. Im cool with getting up early to make it to half dome

 

Before this drops off into the abyss, does anyone want to set a date? July 4th and any weekends surrounding it should be the ones to avoid. We'll need to actually reserve campsites well ahead of time if we want to get one.

 

The best time to go is late May/early June. After that the waterfalls start drying up and the people start swarming the place.

 

Im thinking mid-late may.

 

all the reservations for may and june are filled.

 

I tried booking for June on the 15th last month at 7AM (if anyone else has done this before you know what I'm talking about), and all the damn sites were full by 7:01. Some years I get lucky, some years I don't. But trying to coordinate more than 2 sites near each other is almost impossible

 

Low season ends roughly in February. There's still some first come first serve in March, but basically you'd have to show up and hope for something there. Would be easier if a small group went mid week and the rest of the group showed up on Friday in a carpool.

6 people per site, 2 cars max.

 

what about the backpacking sites? Arent they just first come first serve?

 

If you want to do Half Dome camping at Little Yosemite Valley would be a good option. We would need a wilderness permit for it though. I don't know how easy it is to come by one of those.


Only thing with that is that it isn't quite as secluded as some may want. And if people are afraid of bears I would suggest to stay away. Out of the 5 times i've hiked half dome (we always stop to use the restroom at Little Yosemite Valley camp area) on of those times I saw a bear cub going from site to site and another one of those times the campers there were pretty spooked because a bear had just been in their camp area.


Then again, you run that risk anywhere in the park.

 

You see me in fight with a bear you better jump in and help the bear. Imma give him so many rights he'll be beggin for a left.

 

I've done half dome as a 3 day before. Was pretty kick ass. I heard you need permits now for half dome? I would like to go again.

 

This made me LOL

 

you do need permits for half dome. you can only buy them on the day of though, and no overnight.

 

Took me 15hrs to hike half dome with 30lb of gear Just leave at 5 in the morning you'll get there in no time.

 

I have done half dome twice. It's neat to do once, but the top is no better then driving to the top of glacier point. I would recommend for a short hike Yosemite falls. If you want a longer hike try the northern rim trail. Don't forget you permits and watch out for bears. If you want to try something different try the tuolumne grand canyon, vogalsang, Ireland lake, and Gaylor and Granite Lakes trail. There is a bunch of neat trails that lots of people don't hike just because they are so fascinated with the valley in Yosemite.

http://www.yosemitepark.com/Files/YOSEmap1.pdf

 

By the way there is more trails then on that map, that is just a start. Also A hike to lyell glacier would be neat. I have always wanted to see it before it melts. One of the last ones in California.

 

Im not sure when Im going to be able to go now. With work Im either on the road or stuck in the office right now. Im hoping I can make it by july. Otherwise I may not make it this year.