Anyone been here to Yosemite National Park?

SharpshooterTom · 16-02-2019 11:13pm #1

Hi all,

Thinking about a trip to California this summer. Planning to trip to Yosemite National Park, does anyone know what the condition of the waterfalls are in mid July? I hear by the time its august they're basically just a trickle and that the best months to go are May-June when you get to see Vernal and Nevada Falls at their peak, but I can't go any earlier than mid July I don't think.

In May June they look like this - http://www.thetrailmaster.com/wp-ttm/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/YNP-Vernal-JM-and-hikers.jpg or http://www.steveandsandyhikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_4527.jpg

By the end of August they look like this - http://www.cross-country-trips.com/sites/default/files/images/5k/140820_132247_5964-Edit.preview.jpg

I'd have to use public transport as I'm not driving, but I I think I can get away with Amtrak and YARTS from what I've read.

Although there are day tours from San Fran, lot of Americans recommend staying more than one day and getting lodging in the park, can anyone recommend any? I'm thinking 3 days.

Best trails seem to be Mist Trail, Upper/Lower Yosemite Falls, Clouds Rest. Half Dome looks like a nightmare to climb and you apparently need a permit.

Your Face · 16-02-2019 11:16pm

We were going to go but as soon as we got the entrance an armed angry little man with red hair started shouting at us.

Avoid.

Snow Garden · 16-02-2019 11:19pm

Jellystone is a better place for pic-a-nic baskets

salmocab · 16-02-2019 11:22pm

I stayed 3 nights so got the 2 full days, didn’t do any major hiking but plenty of rambling about. Pretty sure it was July we were there it was busy in the main valley, don’t remember the waterfalls being disappointing so they must have had some water going over them.

Pkiernan · 16-02-2019 11:22pm

The best part is the climb to the top of the falls, but July will be very hot, and quite crowded.

SharpshooterTom · 16-02-2019 11:26pm

Pkiernan wrote: »

The best part is the climb to the top of the falls, but July will be very hot, and quite crowded.

Would you advise hiking early in the morning, 7am say?

anewme · 16-02-2019 11:27pm

Yep did Bridal Veil hike and mist trail hike.Bridal veils was neh and clicky clicky. Saw a bear in Yosemite in its natural surroundings, which was fantastic. I preferred Zion, Angels landing was an experience ill never forget.

SharpshooterTom · 16-02-2019 11:29pm

anewme wrote: »

Yep did Bridal Veil hike and mist trail hike.Bridal veils was neh and clicky clicky. Saw a bear in Yosemite in its natural surroundings, which was fantastic. I preferred Zion, Angels landing was an experience ill never forget.

:eek:

Black bear was it? They're smaller and don't harm you I don't think?

mloc123 · 16-02-2019 11:31pm

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

:eek:

Black bear was it? They're smaller and don't harm you I don't think?

They are smaller, and less aggressive but will harm you.

SharpshooterTom · 16-02-2019 11:33pm

mloc123 wrote: »

They are smaller, and less aggressive but will harm you.

Well I just read this:

Visitors who encounter a bear should keep their distance for safety and respect for themselves and the animal. If visitors see a black bear in undeveloped areas, they should remain at least 50 yards from it. If they encounter a bear in developed areas, they should stand their ground and scare the bear away by raising their arms and making very loud noises. Black bears may show dominance by bluff charging, especially when guarding food or cubs. Attacks are rare, and no one has been killed or seriously injured by a black bear in Yosemite.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/bears.htm

I feel a bit easier.

Blazedup · 16-02-2019 11:34pm

Saw a baby cub there!

Ipso · 16-02-2019 11:46pm

Its a very wet winter in California this year so it may keep the waterfalls going, but it’s hard to know as once the rain stops it will probably be dry until November.
It’s anlively soot to visit and the Hetch Hetchy reservoir nearby is supposed to be very nice.

Filmer Paradise · 16-02-2019 11:52pm

Yes. Was there in 2001.

Our group got 'advised to leave' by the Park Rangers.

Never knew why. Only thing I remember is being woken up in a tent,(after a feed of cans) & told the situation.

Some of the other lads got in trouble & I wound up loading up the jeep with all their gear, collecting them from some sort of 'prison' & driving out of there quickly.

Franz Von Peppercorn · 16-02-2019 11:53pm

Filmer Paradise wrote: »

Yes. Was there in 2001.

Our group got 'advised to leave' by the Park Rangers.

Never knew why. Only thing I remember is being woken up in a tent,(after a feed of cans) & told the situation.

Some of the other lads got in trouble & I wound up loading up the jeep with all their gear, collecting them from some sort of 'prison' & driving out of there quickly.

Probably the feed of beers.

anewme · 16-02-2019 11:58pm

I cant tell you how fantastic it was...all of the rangers were pulled in in the side road so something was up ...it was like a scene from emergency services...no one was to get too close ..very special experience ...once in a lifetime

gidget · 16-02-2019 11:59pm

Stayed in Mariposa Lodge in Yosemite in August 2005 and did a follow up visit to Mammoth Creek (which is just down the road basically) the year after. Absolutely beautiful place to visit and would recommend it to anyone else to stick it on the bucket list of places to visit in your life.

Yosemite is pure untouched nature at it's best. Lots of Native American remnants still visible and there is a museum too, which is worth a visit. Activities if your into the extreme stuff, white water rafting is pretty huge, or a nice cycle/hike. Plenty of wildlife roaming freely too, so make sure to have the camera handy if you spot something.

Found a few pics from my view from my cabin which you can see attached.

dastardly00 · 16-02-2019 11:59pm

Hi OP. I stayed in Curry Village for a few days during September a few years ago. The waterfalls were mostly dried up but it was still one of the best places I've been too. I really would like to go back again

thebiglad · 17-02-2019 12:02am

I stayed there in September 2 years ago - just as the fires were starting up - woke up mornings to smell of smoke but park was fully open. Week after we left the fire hit the area we stayed in very hard - was amazing to see on local news papers etc places we had visited with huge flames in view...

We stayed at Narrow Gauge Inn which was within the park but a relatively short distance to the main areas - used YART to access the park itself as parking was expected to be a pain. YART was easy to use and decent price but missed the flexibility of own transport even if parking would be a chore.

Made the stay at Narrow Gauge part of the experience - area around it was lovely and had a logging railroad right next door, hotel was very quaint - loved it - gets mixed reviews on Trip Advisor - I think people expect a Spa Resort not a hotel in Yosemite Park

Accommodation in the heart of the action I thought was incredibly expensive - I think there is option for camping or RV parking though.

Really enjoyed it and would recommend.

On my previous visit had done a trip up from San Francisco on organised tour - that was simply too long and would not do it that way again.

Vela · 17-02-2019 12:14am

Snow Garden wrote: »

Jellystone is a better place for pic-a-nic baskets

Yellowstone: Bigger (more spread out). Way more wildlife. Bears fcuking everywhere.
Yosemite: Smaller. Very scenic but less chance of running into yogi-bear

I'd say consider Yellowstone too as it's also within reach. Plus if you do Yellowstone you can double up with Grand Teton.

SharpshooterTom · 17-02-2019 12:28am

Vela wrote: »

I'd say consider Yellowstone too as it's also within reach. Plus if you do Yellowstone you can double up with Grand Teton.

I not driving (I'm only learning at the minute), but in future trips I'll do national parks with a car. Yellowstone looks way too awkward without one unless you're in guided tours (which I can't be arsed with).

mvl · 17-02-2019 10:38am

be mindful of ticks around: lyme disease is not to joke about.

Zorya · 17-02-2019 11:00am

Every time I see the word Yosemite I still say it both ways - Yoze-Might, like I used to say it before I heard the real pronunciation, Yo - Sem- It- Tay. That was a surprise. I didn't see that one coming.

Makes me feel extra clever now to say it the correct way.

Anyways I haven't been there but it looks nice, OP. Go for it.

Andrewf20 · 17-02-2019 11:34am

We were there in August 2013 and did a hike up Yosemite falls opposite half dome and the waterfall was still going but it wasn't huge. Still an awesome view, well worth doing. You need to book camping spots months in advance in the park. We missed that boat and camped an hour away outside the park near mono lake. Worked out fine.

Ficheall · 17-02-2019 12:14pm

I've been a few times with this guy, though I see the trips are now a hundred quid more than when I did it (he was just starting up then), so obviously he's doing well, fair play to him... https://orangeskyco.com/tour/yosemite-camping-trip/
Pricey enough, but good fun, and takes all hassle out of organisation. He only takes 4 or 5 people on a trip.

Going again this summer, but organising things myself. Be aware of how difficult it is to get a campsite. Sites within the valley go on sale months in advance - up until July 14th is already booked. Sites for the remainder of July will go on sale on March 15th and will sell out within seconds. There are options to camp just outside the valley and get a shuttle in - I've not done this; it'd be an extra hour+ every day to get into the park, and you'd miss the experience of camping in it.

You're unlikely to be disappointed whichever walk you do, though there will be less water than most of the rest of the year. You can take advantage of this to go swimming in parts of the Merced!

SharpshooterTom · 17-02-2019 2:13pm

Ficheall wrote: »

Be aware of how difficult it is to get a campsite. Sites within the valley go on sale months in advance - up until July 14th is already booked. Sites for the remainder of July will go on sale on March 15th and will sell out within seconds.

Not for Curry/Half Dome village, still plenty available, but its the most basic accomodation on the site:

https://www.travelyosemite.com/lodging/dining/half-dome-village/ (click check rates on the top right)

For everywhere else that's true, I wanted the majestic hotel but that's gone.

Yosemite lodge has gone too. There are plenty of hotels back in SF that I wanted which are also now gone.

PhilOssophy · 17-02-2019 2:13pm

Yosemite NP is about as nice a place as you could go on holidays OP.
I haven't managed to get the Half-Dome Hike on either of my visits, it is a bit of a money racket in that they only tell you a couple of days before if you get it or not.
Upper/Lower Yosemite Falls is a really lovely hike, spectacular views over to Half Dome.
It is well worth spending a few days there. We loved our visits there. I'm sure a bus company will show you the highlights but if you could at all I'd hire a car and drive. There is another viewing point whose name deserts me but you can drive right up to it. I'll try find out the name. It is another wonderful view in a lovely park.
Enjoy!

SharpshooterTom · 17-02-2019 2:18pm

PhilOssophy wrote: »

I'm sure a bus company will show you the highlights but if you could at all I'd hire a car and drive.

Only learning to drive at the moment so I'll have to make do with public transport and shuttles within the park.

salmocab · 17-02-2019 2:30pm

If you can get the bus to tuolmne meadows (stab at spelling there) it’s really nice and much quieter than the
Main valley.

Buford T. Justice XIX · 17-02-2019 3:24pm

Mod note: This is one is probably best discussed in the travel forum. I'll close it now and transfer it over.

Please note the change of forum and forum rules.

Buford T. Justice

kerry4sam · 22-02-2019 8:13pm

Thread cleaned-up; re-opened and moved to where it would be better suited.

Thanks,
kerry4sam

solerina · 23-02-2019 3:48pm

We went in July/ Aug a few years ago, a huge section of the park was on fire but it’s so big that all we saw was smoke in the distance. It was amazing, we stayed 2 nights so had three days there and we loved every minute. We stayed in the lodges, they were booked up when we originally tried to book but became available about a month before we travelled.

SharpshooterTom · 28-02-2019 9:41pm

Thanks for the posts guys, I'm thinking about 4 days Yosemite, staying in at Curry Village (because that's the only accommodation they have left).

I'm considering to add three further days to somewhere else but not sure where. Currently have got in mind:

- Mammoth Lakes
- Monterey/Carmel
- Santa Barbara

I'm leaning towards Santa Barbara because I don't have a car which means I can't do big sur so it feels a bit pointless going to Monterey/Carmel without big sur. Santa Barbara's beaches look absolutely gorgeous on google maps. Mammoth Lakes look stunning but after 4 days in Yosemite 3 further days of hiking might exhaust me, plus the journey back from Mammoth to Fresno on YARTS is full 8-9 hours.

For those that have hiked Yosemite, what are the trails like? Are they well marked out? Because I'll be going on my own and I don't want to end up getting lost. Clouds rest is 16 miles round trip with a steep 9,000 feet climb. I'm hesitant about doing it given I'm an amateur hiker.

PhilOssophy · 28-02-2019 9:46pm

You could try pairing with some people OP. There are always people doing the same.
I know upper Yosemite falls is just a follow the trail sort of thing. You can't go wrong.

myate · 01-03-2019 2:19pm

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

For those that have hiked Yosemite, what are the trails like? Are they well marked out? Because I'll be going on my own and I don't want to end up getting lost. Clouds rest is 16 miles round trip with a steep 9,000 feet climb. I'm hesitant about doing it given I'm an amateur hiker.

I've been the park multiple times in all seasons, usually staying the max 7 nights each time to do a lot of hiking. We stay in Foresta in a cabin rental. It's 10 minutes drive from the valley floor, it is inside the park. Use VRBO to find those rentals. But if you don't have a car that is an issue!

In July there is still plenty of water in the waterfalls, and this year should have loads.

The trails in the park are well defined. Only time they can get sketchy is in the wilderness part but unless you're doing multi-day hikes with camping in between you wont hit the wilderness designated areas.

I've hiked up Half Dome twice, it is a lottery to get a permit, but it is a good system & works. I tend not to go to the park in summer as it's too busy, so we go in September, plan ahead & get a permit no problems. You apply in March, and find out at the end of March. You can apply for a permit 2 days beforehand but that is only for about 50 permits.
Any number of trails around the valley floor. Clouds Rest isn't in the valley though, it's up near Tuolumne Meadows. It's a 12.5 mile hike & while easier than Half Dome the one thing that might catch you out is that it is hiking at altitude. We done the hike & on the return leg, couldn't understand why my wife was struggling, to the point I thought I would need to get rangers help! We took it extra easy & got back to the car, drove down to the cabin in Foresta (back to 4000 feet) & she was fine! It was the altitude! The hike itself only climbs up around 1000 feet (Half Dome hike goes up 5000!) but you are hiking the whole time at around 8500 up to nearly 10000! But the view at the summit of CR is unbeatable, way better than standing on Half Dome's visor!

Any other q's let me know!!

él statutorio · 01-03-2019 5:23pm

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

Thanks for the posts guys, I'm thinking about 4 days Yosemite, staying in at Curry Village (because that's the only accommodation they have left).

I'm considering to add three further days to somewhere else but not sure where. Currently have got in mind:

- Mammoth Lakes
- Monterey/Carmel
- Santa Barbara

I'm leaning towards Santa Barbara because I don't have a car which means I can't do big sur so it feels a bit pointless going to Monterey/Carmel without big sur. Santa Barbara's beaches look absolutely gorgeous on google maps. Mammoth Lakes look stunning but after 4 days in Yosemite 3 further days of hiking might exhaust me, plus the journey back from Mammoth to Fresno on YARTS is full 8-9 hours.

For those that have hiked Yosemite, what are the trails like? Are they well marked out? Because I'll be going on my own and I don't want to end up getting lost. Clouds rest is 16 miles round trip with a steep 9,000 feet climb. I'm hesitant about doing it given I'm an amateur hiker.

SB is pretty walkable, plus there's a trolley service that goes up and down the main st for 25 cents. Plus bike hire services etc.

Just make sure you're staying in SB, not Goleta or somewhere outside. Goleta is nice too, but you'd need a car to get to SB from there.

SharpshooterTom · 01-03-2019 5:41pm

él statutorio wrote: »

SB is pretty walkable, plus there's a trolley service that goes up and down the main st for 25 cents. Plus bike hire services etc.

Just make sure you're staying in SB, not Goleta or somewhere outside. Goleta is nice too, but you'd need a car to get to SB from there.

I was thinking about some of the upmarket places on the beach near Stearns Wharf.

I will be visiting California again multiple times in my life and in future trips will involve a car (I'm only learning to drive at the moment!), so I'm trying cobble up a trip for now that is doable without one, hence why I'm visiting SF and not LA. Monterey/Carmel appears to be a much better trip with one as well given how much coastline there is to see.

él statutorio · 01-03-2019 11:34pm

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

I was thinking about some of the upmarket places on the beach near Stearns Wharf.

I will be visiting California again multiple times in my life and in future trips will involve a car (I'm only learning to drive at the moment!), so I'm trying cobble up a trip for now that is doable without one, hence why I'm visiting SF and not LA. Monterey/Carmel appears to be a much better trip with one as well given how much coastline there is to see.

Anywhere by the wharf will be fine. Right on the beach, a few restaurants but not too many (Endless summer in the marina is good as is Longboards on the wharf) and Sambos is a great spot for breakfast.

Many, many more food choices as you head up State St and get past the freeway underpass.

Someone told me recently that SB has more restaurants per head of population than anywhere else in the US. I don't know if that's true, but there are a lot of places.

PhilOssophy · 02-03-2019 9:12am

Monterey/Carmel is 100% one that you'd need a car for. It is absolutely stunning.

LillySV · 02-03-2019 9:34am

I drove on the coastroads from la to San Francisco , staying in various towns along on the way and visiting fantastic sights such as Hearst’s mansion. The hire car provided to us was a convertible mustang so really added to the trip... really cool.

We stayed in San Francisco (fabulous place)for afew days without car and then collected our hire Jeep which had been upgraded from Toyota 4Runner to a big 5.7l Infiniti Jeep! We drove from there to Yosemite, spending two nights in Yosemite ...Yosemite was lovely but no waterfalls at time as they were dry! Was a pity... I would probably advise more time than two days as we only seen the basics there! We drove on then towards rainbow canyon where jet fighters are regularly seen flying through the canyon... we missed an f16 by afew mins!!! Seen it flying away from afar...was sickened! Anyways continued on to Las Vegas from there... getting pulled by policeman for speeding along the way ... he was kind enough to let me away though! Passed by Indian Springs Air Force base where drones and secret/new jets like the f35 are flown from... didn’t see any on the day though!

Got to Las Vegas then and handed back car,!chilled out then till home time.

The above trip was best holiday I ever did ... absolutely loved it and was a great experience ... got to see America properly ... if you don’t mind driving then that’s what I’d advise you to do. Some people are scared of driving on opposite side of road and driving automatics but it’s easy.... I’d advise you to consider something like I did ... make Yosemite part of a big road trip.

Anyone been here to Yosemite National Park?

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