Transportation from Fresno

imported
#1

I got my wilderness permit reservation for Aug 1 (Happy Isles -> Little Yosemite Valley), but I’ve run into a transportation snag. My flight gets into Fresno at 9:00 am on Aug 1, but that’s just a little too late to catch a bus or train to Merced in time for the 10:50 VIA or YARTS bus to Yosemite. My original plan was to get a wilderness permit for Aug 2, which would give me a day to get there. Unfortunately, I could only get a permit for Aug 1. That would be fine, but public transportation is limited.

  • If I can’t get there until Aug. 2, how easy is it to get one of the wilderness permits they give out that day? Sounds like lots of people do this and maybe I shouldn’t be so worried about it.
  • Isn’t there any way to get directly from Fresno to Yosemite? It would be great if I could find someone to share a ride with. What a shame to go all the way through Merced, especially with that rock slide in the way.
  • How easy is it to hitchhike from Fresno to Yosemite?

Planning jitters…

Steve M.

#2

In 1997 when we hiked the JMT we took a VIA bus from Fresno to Yosmite. Picked us up in front of the airport. Cost $20 then and took 3 or 3.5 hours. You might see if they still run this route. It was a full size bus and there were only about 5 people on it. Good luck and have a great hike.

Bo

#3

I’ve heard there used to be a bus from Fresno to Yosemite, but it seems to be no longer running. If there were only 5 people on it, that would explain why. Too bad. Going through Merced would be fine, but I would have to get there in time for the 10:50 bus. There’s usually another bus in the evening, but I’m not sure it’s even running because of the rockslide. The evening bus would get into Yosemite too late to pick up my wilderness pass and start on the trail anyway.

Steve M.

#4

In reading many journals and websites…I think you will be fine. Worse thing is you may have to stay an extra day and night in the backpackers camp before beginning the trail.

On the Yosemite site it says be there EARLY and they set aside like 40% of the wilderness permits for walk-ins.

If you are not oppose to hitch hiking it may be faster and easier for you. Just remember entering Yosemite from Fresno buts you quite a distance from Little Yosemite Valley still.
The latest update is that road (Highway 140)is still closed as well and says indefinitely…doesn’t sound like they are in a hurry to open it up.
Also in another post there was a warning about the Muirs Ranch closing early…you may want to check into that as well. Seems it is a tuff year on the JMT :oh

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