Yosemite questions

[flyfishing48]

Starting to plan a quick trip that includes Yosemite NP and I would like some input about the area. I’ll be coming from Green Valley AZ.

1. Right now I am thinking early September, any thoughts about this time of year.
2. Staying on the east side vs west entrance ?

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

dedmiston wrote:

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

😮

Close enough, both starts with Y.;)

We laugh about this all the time in our family.

It's just like plugging in a USB cable: There's a 50% chance you'll get it right, but a 100% chance you'll get it wrong the first time.

And that's from a family of CA natives whose kids moved to WY to go to school. We still can't get it right.

Tell me about it!

My son is a techie.


But we make sure we plug and re-started that thingy before we call.:E

[Yosemite_Sam1]

valhalla360 wrote:

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

😮

Close enough, both starts with Y.;)

What are you talking about:
- Yosemite
- Jelllystone

You won the internet today..

[valhalla360]

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

😮

Close enough, both starts with Y.;)

What are you talking about:
- Yosemite
- Jelllystone

[dedmiston]

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

😮

Close enough, both starts with Y.;)

We laugh about this all the time in our family.

It's just like plugging in a USB cable: There's a 50% chance you'll get it right, but a 100% chance you'll get it wrong the first time.

And that's from a family of CA natives whose kids moved to WY to go to school. We still can't get it right.

[Acampingwewillg]

Enjoyed the Yellowstone report so much I had to look back to be sure it was about Yosemite...??.

We're hoping to make it up that way in Sept/Oct timeframe...I've always wanted to try that SKP Coursegold camp...maybe this year.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

Desert Captain wrote:
"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

😮

Close enough, both starts with Y.;)

[Desert_Captain]

"Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite. "

OOPS! this is what happens when you sit down at the computer first thing in the morning "without" your coffee. LMAO. Glad you enjoyed it none the less.

😮

[toedtoes]

Late September can be good - cooler temps (especially night temps), less crowds, and low chance of bad weather. However, as mentioned, the water flow will be minimal to nonexistant - especially this year as there was no snow last winter. Unfortunately, fires are a big potential. So keep watch for any fire reports for the next couple months.

Early September is likely to still be hot and the crowds bigger. Lack of flowing water and fires will be the main letdown.

Fires in the region will also affect visibilty of the night skies.

As mentioned, spring gives you the biggest bang for flowing water - especially if there is snow this winter. Minimal concern about fires, but fire damage from this year may affect campgrounds next spring. What time in spring will depend on snowfall. If minimal snowfall, then roads will open sooner. If lots of snowfall, then roads may stay closed later. Spring will also see wildflowers in the meadows. Night skies will be clearer with no fires.

If you aren't interested in doing a longer trip and seeing more of California, I would stay on the east side. From there, you can also visit Mono Lake and Bodie Ghost Town.

[agesilaus]

Be aware of the park reservation lottery system:
Entry system

Getting to the valley from the east side is a long drive, over an hour or more depending on how far from Tioga Pass your camp is. It is a very scenic drive but still long. There is quite a bit to do in Tuolumne Meadows tho if you are a hiker.

My wife just won a week long stay at the SKP Coarsegold park so we may be there at the beginning of October. She has had an incredible run of luck at the Escapade winning three door prizes.

[2oldman]

ReneeG wrote:

Love your trip report, but the OP asked about the other Y park - Yosemite.

oops

[Yosemite_Sam1]

time2roll wrote:
I will be there 3rd week in October...

Tempting the fate at the edge of closure of Tioga Pass.:B

And additional info, Tioga Pass is a 9,941 (or thereabouts) feet elevation above sea level -- and a very long climb..

[time2roll]

I will be there 3rd week in October. Early September is a good time with reduced crowds but most facilities still open.

East side to the valley is a long drive. Plenty of hiking in Tuolumne.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

East entry late this season and getting your campsite in the area may give you better chances of getting booking for a campground.

But get a reservation in advance anyways..

We stopped our annual family camping and pilgrimage in Yosemite as it's almost impossible nowadays to get a booking.

[Lwiddis]

"We got a great preview of the park coming in from Cody..."

Cody is quite a distance from Yosemite, captain.