Arrrgghhh, reservations

imported
#1

In an effort to secure a crowded frontcountry reservation in Yosemite Valley, specifically Upper Pines, the first opportunity to do so for 8/15ish was yesterday. Poor Now or Never spent the majority of the day TRYING to call AND secure a site online, but alas, never got through and all the sites are booked now. :frowning:

A friend is picking us up at the San Fran airport and giving us a ride to the Valley, but was wanting to spend a night or two with us in the Valley. What have you others done? Camp Four? Is there a place to leave vehicles for a day or two? We were planning to do Half Dome and play the role of tourist before we escaped the madness and headed south towards Whitney.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanx.

Cap’n

#2

Just because the sites are booked now doesn’t mean they will be. You should check back for cancellations. Camp Four is also an option, although you’ll have to park your car in the nearby lot and walk to your site (obviously not a problem for you, as you’ll be doing quite a bit of walking anyway, just thinking about your friend).

If none of these options work, you might try some of the other Yosemite campgrounds. Even if you are interested in activities around the valley, there are several other campgrounds nearby. If you stayed at Bridalveil Creek, you could do your Half Dome hike from Glacier Point, instead of the valley, which might provide an interesting and less crowded alternative. Also, you are allowed to stay in the backpacker’s camp (it is located in one of the Pines, but I don’t remember which one) the night before your trip. I’m sure no one would notice if your friend joined you. Good luck and happy hiking!

Kanga

#3

Yosemite in the summer can be a waste of time, unless you like the experience of Grand Central Station. It hasn’t been the same since the July 4th (supposed) riot.

Po Campo

#4

I’d use the backpackers camp. Like Kanga said, they let you use it for one night before your hike, and one night after (assuming you have an overnight permit, though I’ve never been checked by a ranger). The parking lot for the camp is kinda far, but there is a drop off location to unload your stuff.

I’ve never had much luck with camp 4, always seems to be full.

I don’t mind the valley in the summer, as its beauty outweighs the crowds. And it doesn’t take much of a hike to get away from most of the people. YMMV.

Steve

geokite

#5

I’ll look into cancellations closer to our incoming time. The backpackers site is what we were hoping for the night of the 14th, so I don’t think that’ll be a problem. The 13th will be a little trickier, but it will work itself out.

As to the crowds, we’ve discussed the sociological opportunity to observe the tourists en masse and maybe get some great contrasted photos of RVers posing in front of El Cap. Tourists observing tourists, I suppose.

Cap’n

#6

just have to say i like your attitude - instead of indulging in disgust, indulge in amusement or fascination. for a real hoot, go to the visitor’s center and listen to some of the questions the rangers have to field.

tarbubble

#7

I was told by the Ranger who confirmed my JMT permit reservation that there is a special camp for exclusively for backpckers the night before they start their hike. He said they do not make this fact known in any of the park’s literature. I would suggest that you and your friend use the walk-in camp site and hope for the best.

Prapanna Smith