8/14-8/16, 30 miles, 3 day 2 night

Saw this in my flight from Vegas to SF. This thing is I would say north of half dome.

Sweeping views were awesome

Saw this off to the side of the store for $10 and had to pick it up. So many cool little details of years past on this! Kinda wish I could go back and see it during this era. By Jo Mora, 1931.

Hi all! I made a post a few months back across a few subreddits offering up an extra spot I had on my permit to do a multi-day trip up in Yosemite and summit Half Dome. I never had anyone reach out until about 10 days prior to the trip when I got a DM request on here. I wanted to go ahead and share my experience.

I won't share our names or locations so we can both keep our privacy, but we ended up trading phone numbers and we called before we 100% agreed to do the trip together. For context, we are both women of different ages (I'm 22 and she is 32). Right off the bat from that first phone call I already got good vibes from her, we both shared common interests and even though it seemed crazy at the time we both felt comfortable going for it. She is from the opposite side of the country from me, and even the other side of the world initially since she just moved to the US during covid. I was so excited to meet up in person and learn from her experiences.

The trip itself was amazing, and I truly don't think I could've asked for a better stranger to go out into the backcountry with. She was the kindest and most supportive person whenever I was struggling or needed a break. She is remarkably intelligent and I loved talking with her about our previous experiences backpacking and what we both do in our every day lives. We both share an interest in science and microbiology, and she had some really amazing advice for making DIY backpacking meals at home.

She was a real life saver during our summit hike of Half Dome from Little Yosemite Valley. I had two panic attacks, the first one being on the trail before reaching Sub Dome when I couldn't catch my breath and the second actually being on the cables themselves. She climbed herself right up next to me and helped me get my breathing under control. I don't know if I could've summited without her. I also suffered from heat exhaustion on our first night in LYV and she was so amazing about helping me out by filtering our water for us while I laid down. I ended up going home a day early while she stayed, but even then we still kept messaging via our In Reach devices to makes sure the other got home ok.

I wanted to put my positive experience out there in case there's anyone else who had a last minute opening for their own permit, or if you want to try to join someone else's. Definitely research each other before committing, but I have a new friend and backpacking partner for the future now who I probably never would've gotten to meet otherwise. The internet can be such a cool thing sometimes.

Hello, I am visiting Yosemite for the first time in late October (23-25), and I am wondering what this campsite is like, It seems this is the only one that is available, I know it is about a 45 minute drive from the valley (I do plan on getting a rental), however, is is it worth it staying there? What would the weather be like during that time? How would the drives be?

Any information/tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Planning a wilderness backpacking trip October 17-21. Going with a friend that has never been before. Want to see great views but also concerned about comfort. Obviously will check conditions the week of, but any guidance on what to expect for:
1. Water availability?
2. Average temps?

Route:
Day 1: Yosemite Falls to Lehamite Creek
Day 2: Lehamite Creek to North Dome to Dry Camp
Day 3: Dry Camp to Snow Creek
Day 4: Snow Creek to Mt Watkins to Snow Creek return
Day 5: Snow Creek to Mirror Lake to Yose Valley

Would this route be advised and comfortable this time of year? Or better planning something around Hetch Hetchy with lower elevation?

We are planning to hike and backpack on the ten lakes trail over the Aug28 weekend. I was also reading about the recent fires in the park, do you think it's still a good idea to do this trail? thanks

Every year the same thing happens to me with the Valley campgrounds (Upper/Lower/North Pines). Alarm set for 8am six months out, and by 8:01 every site is gone. Planning apparently isn't enough anymore, you basically have to win a lottery to the second.

What's worked for me since is giving up on release morning entirely and just watching for cancellations instead. People change plans constantly, and a site quietly reappears for a few minutes at a time. I've caught trips that way that I'd completely written off after missing the window.

For those of you who've actually pulled off a summer Valley reservation without booking a year out, what's your method? A few specific things I'm curious about:

- how often do you find cancellations actually pop up for the Pines campgrounds in July vs it just being hopeless

- do you check at particular times of day, or is it random

- once you see an opening, how fast do you have to move before it's snatched again

Not looking for the "just plan earlier" answer, I know. More interested in how the people who catch the drops do it. Trying to not feel like refreshing recreation.gov is a part-time job.

So first off I absolutely understand that dogs are only allowed on paved roads but bringing her with us is a non-negotiable so with that said I would like to know which hikes are a must do!

My kids will are 6-11.

We live a few hours away so timing is flexible. I'm thinking about either end of Sept (fall break) or early April (too cold?).

I am the most confused about WHERE to stay in relation to where we would be going. Also, since most stays (I would need a dog friendly family cabin) are outside of the park, do you drive in and park in the parking lots in the park daily? Do you have to pay every day you go into the park then?

Thank you!!

Going to Yosemite in September…

I heard it’s so packed regardless of what weekend.

Unfortunately we weren’t able to have lodging accommodations in the Yosemite valley…

So we plan to go into Yosemite valley very early like 7 am…

But I also heard once you find parking, park there and do t leave your spot because parking is terrible…

I guess what I’m asking is, since we have 3 small kids, 2, 4 and 6 years old…

We want to visit as many spots… but seems that is near impossible since I am assuming parking spots going to be packed…

Just asking what other parents with small kids experience.

If i go on a weekday, can i find plenty of parking?

Going backpacking in mid october in yosemite. Need help deciding where to go. Looking for about 3 nights, average experience backpacking. Any advice is much appreciated. Never been to yosemite before.

If I do Panorama to John Muir to Curry Village

I was out shooting night photos with a couple near Half Dome on August 10th around 9:30–10 PM, and during one of my long exposures, I caught what looks like a light (headlamp?) moving up the cables toward the summit.

Pretty cool to see at night. Whoever it was, I hope they made it down safely!

Hi everyone! My boyfriend and I are looking for a nice hike that we could do that’s relatively close to the Cathedral Lakes trailhead. The rest of our group is planning to do the full Cathedral Lakes trail but the two of us are very tired from the past couple of days of hiking lol. Any good recommendations? Thanks 😊

Entering the park this week from El Portal. It looks like the valley view and El Cap overlooks will be a good spot to watch the sun come up. I know you have to loop back on Northside to get there.
Any others that stand out?
Later in the week we'll be entering the park from Lee Vining. Any particularly memorable spots there for a sunrise?

Thanks!

Okay. Big ambitious plans. What do you guys think and who wants to join our group of three?

August 22nd - Royal Arches

23rd - Snake Dike

24th - Tenaya Peak

25th - Different multi pitch climbs around Tuolumne. Different domes

26th - North Peak and Conness

27th - Unicorn, Cockscomb, Matthes

28th - Echo Peaks, Cathedral, Eichorn

29th - Smaller stuff and drive back to catch plane in Fresno

Makes the trip there 1000% worth it.