Helpful Yosemite Phone Numbers:
Yosemite Association
El Portal
209-372-4745 |
Curry Village
Cabins @ Curry Co. Reservations
209-252-4848 |
Yosemite HSC: High Sierra Camps
Tuolumne Meadows
209-454-2002 |
YARTS
Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System
877-989-2787
|
Yosemite Backpacking
Pretty much the only way you can camp away from the crowds
in the valley is to strap on a backpack & head for the backcountry.
- permits are required for overnight backcountry camping
- check with the correct ranger district for all back country
camping restrictions
Parking for trail heads are at:
- Camp Curry - located in the Valley for hiking up to Half
Dome areas
- Tulomne Mdws. - High-country, Hwy.120, 46 mi. from the Valley
floor
Yosemite Park Campground
All the campgrounds are large & reservations are common.
The valley fills up fast, where the backcountry (Hwy.120) campgrounds
are further out of the way & less visted. This our only recommendation,
the smallest of the campground in the Park:
| campground |
elev. |
spots |
veg |
toilet |
water |
link |
|
| Camp 4 -
Sunnyside |
4000' ? |
32 |
pines |
flush |
piped |
NPS |
Valley,
walk-in, climbers |
| Porcupine |
8100' |
52 |
pines |
pit |
no |
NPS |
June-Sept |
| Tamarack Flat |
6300' |
52 |
pines |
vault |
no |
NPS |
June-Sept,
primitive |
| Yosemite Creek |
7659' |
75 |
pines |
pit |
creek |
NPS |
June-Sept,
on creek |
CAMPING NEAR YOSEMITE, camping suggestions:
Camp in surrounding areas around the National Park, sometimes for free
to the east |
to the south |
to the north |
Yosemite Hiking
Destination: Half Dome? Valley floor to Half Dome is 17
mi. RT and a 4000' elevation gain, straight up.
You can do this hike in one day if --
- long summer day, bring flashlights otherwise
- start hike at daybreak, before sunrise
- will take approx. 10-12 hrs.
- don't mind crowds hiking with you
- you are in really good shape
- stair climbing doesn't phase you
- spend 1 hour or less atop the dome
- bring daypack with food & liquids
Destination: Yosemite Falls
Valley floor to Yosemite Falls is a butt kicker, but fun hike
with amazing views. The elevation gain is steep but your reward
is great. This is an awesome warm up hike for a Half Dome hike preparation. You can also get to Yosemite Falls from Yosemite Creek campground off of Hwy. 120. Trail is along the creek, for a much more mellow route.
Destination: Tioga Pass & Tuloumne Meadows
Much better area for seclusion and enjoying nature. Plenty of day hikes & areas
to picnic, relax & explore. Get outta the Valley & experience
the rest of Yosemite. Higher elevations w/ massive snow fall, so winter road closure is to be expected. Hwy 120 is a well traveled mountain road (2 lane highway) with gorgeous granite scenery and plenty spots to pull off an enjoy park without crowds.
Teneja Lake, west of
Tioga Pass, along Highway 120
Yosemite Rock Climbing
BIG WALL Rock climbing paradise. Over 3500 established climbs with a
range of all difficulties. Granite cliffs surround the Valley
& many take to the challenging walls. Tioga Pass area has less people and better beginning climbs.
- El Capitan
- Half Dome
- Lembert Dome
- Great Circle
- Wheat Thin
- Reed's Direct
- Bishops Balcony
- Killer Pillar
Rockclimbing classes are available from Yosemite Mountaineering School: 209-372-8344
Yosemite Valley
September - May |
Tuloumne Meadows
June - August |
Basic rules & regulations:
- Motorized drilling prohibited
- Do not climb within 50 feet of Native American rock art
- Do not begin or end a climb in an occupied campsite without
occupant permission
- Slings & bolt hangers not visible to general public (most
gear should match rock color)
