The Mousepods' Yosemite Trip

[mousepod]

Heather and I went to Yosemite for the weekend. Last October, we stayed and Curry Village, and while it was charming and all, I decided that for this trip - which was my anniversary gift to Heather - we should stay in a room that had heat and a bathroom, so we stayed at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.

We walked around the valley floor on Friday evening, and generally hung around and gazed at the Lower Yosemite Falls (since they're fed from the snow pack, they were dry last October).

Saturday was overcast in the morning and rainy in the afternoon, so we took the Mist Trail up to Vernal Falls (and a little beyond, but not all the way to Nevada Falls).

On Sunday, we decided to do as much of the Valley loop as we could (Glacier Point and the Panorama Trail are still closed for the season), and we wound up walking out past Mirror Lake - we'd never gone beyond Mirror Lake in the past, it was one of the most beautiful hikes we've ever taken.

No bears this time, just plenty of birds, deer and squirrels.

Here are a few snapshots:

http://ped-xing.com/lot/yosemite/yosemite1.jpg
http://ped-xing.com/lot/yosemite/yosemite2.jpg
http://ped-xing.com/lot/yosemite/yosemite3.jpg
http://ped-xing.com/lot/yosemite/yosemite4.jpg
http://ped-xing.com/lot/yosemite/yosemite5.jpg
http://ped-xing.com/lot/yosemite/yosemite6.jpg
http://ped-xing.com/lot/yosemite/yosemite7.jpg
http://ped-xing.com/lot/yosemite/yosemite8.jpg

[thecorndogwalker]

Yosemite rocks... I had been going every summer for the past 5 years. A bunch of friends and I went up and camped out in Bass Lake. Its a wonderful area and during 4th of July they shoot out the fireworks right by the lake... The town of Oakhurst, right near Bass lake is so cute and quaint... lotsa mom and pop stores.. oh yeah and a Starbucks....

[Not Afraid]

My Brother lives in Oakhurst - has for the past 30 years - so it feels like home. Actually, the entire area feels like home including the National Park.

[Snowflake]

Beautiful pics and you two look good too!
Thanks for posting them, gosh but we live in a gorgeous state (okay, some parts are prettier than others).
:snap:

[wendybeth]

I want to camp there now. Beautiful!:snap:

[katiesue]

Lovely pictures and it looks like you're having a great time.

[innerSpaceman]

So many Swankers have not been to Yosemite ... and that cannot be allowed to stand for much longer.


The 2007 Lot Camping Trip is to Sequoia and Kings Canyon ... I've never been there, so I never raised any objection. I'm excited about experiencing new places.

But, if there is to be a sequel ... we must take swank to Yosemite. OMG, it's one of the most amazing places on Earth!!


(Jesse, I told the Lash Pair that no exploration of California is complete without it ... if it was easy enough for you to get there from San Francisco, please remind them, when you see them, that it beckons!)

[Disneyphile]

But, if there is to be a sequel ... we must take swank to Yosemite. I'm already interested in making it an annual event. ;)

Love the shots, MP! :D

[Capt Jack]

agreed on Yosemite. amazing place.

next year.

[blueerica]

Yeah, Yosemite is one of those places I've always wanted to go, but haven't done yet. Great pictures, pod!

[Ghoulish Delight]

I went 11 years ago. It's stunning, a whole different kind of experience than Sequoia, I'd love to go back.

[Snowflake]

So when do we start the Yosemite swanking thread? I'd absolutely be interested.

[Not Afraid]

Yosemite is sold out for reservations for summer but they have many sites - especialy in Tuoloumne that are not reservable. I love the valley but prefer the Meadows for summer camping. The Valley gets to be such a zoo in Summer but the Meadows close early in the year after snowfall when Tioga Pass closes.

[Morrigoon]

As one who hasn't been to Yosemite since I was like 6 months old, I would LOVE to go... looks gorgeous!

[innerSpaceman]

Valley Camping has its charms. For first-timers, which I envision the 2008 swankamping geared to, I think the walking, biking, rafting and sometimes driving proximity to the wonders of the Valley make camping there worthwhile. Lower Pines is an awesome campground, and spots by the river are supremely wonderful.

The bad part is that only 2 sites can be reserved at one time, and competition is fierce once they go on sale. The chances of getting multiple adjoining sites (or even those few swanky river sites) are slim.

White Wolf, about 15 minutes outside the Valley, is a great spot ... much more easygoing, and far less hassles to get campsites. It's a nice location for visiting Tuolomne Meadows as well as the Valley ... but getting to the Valley is a little journey, and camping in White Wolf makes it less likely that newcomers will experience all that the Valley offers.


Timing is everything in a visit to Yosemite. Though all seasons are marvelous, you really want to visit when the waterfalls are flowing nicely.

In early Spring, though some of the best trails are still closed, the Valley's multitudes of tiny falls and cascades make the place look like Rivendell. But the main falls can be flowing too strongly to get close to (and boulder-climbing towards the bases of Lower Yosemite and Bridalveil is one of the most fun activities).

I'd vote for late Spring when the high trails are open and the big falls are friendly. Where's our wiki page for Yosemite? Let's start detail-planning NOW!

[Ghoulish Delight]

An alternative for groups if we'd want to stay in the valley are the oddly named "Housekeeping Cabins". Covered, but with an open-air wall, they're conveniently located, and easily reservable. It would mean sacrificing some of the true-camping feeling (there are central shower facilities) for the combination of location and group togetherness.

[Capt Jack]

we went a number of years back a year (or so) after the huge fires they had. we drove around for awhile and couldnt see any signs of a fire of any sort. then while driving out, we came across the top of a ridge and for as far as the eye could see, black and empty clear to the horizon. it was like someone has nuked the place.

the stunning impact of it was beyond imagination. my wife broke out crying at the sight of it.

[Morrigoon]

Perhaps PanTheMan could get us some advice on that, as his mother is a Yosemite Park Ranger.

[innerSpaceman]

I wouldn't spend an hour at HouseKeeping Camp on a bet. It's a disgusting ghetto.

If we are going to go that along that vein, I've no problem with skipping camping altogether - and staying at Yosemite Lodge or in cabins at Curry Village. Housekeeping "Camp" is so far from the experience of camping, that you might as well not.

[Ghoulish Delight]

That's where I stayed when I went 11 years ago. Granted, I was in high school with about 30 other high school friends, so my view was skewed, but I had a great time. Of course, I seemed to treat Yosemite more like a vacation than camping (i.e., if I was awake, I was away from the cabin, if I was at the cabin, I was asleep), so I suppose the actual state of the lodging wasn't of particular concern to me.

[innerSpaceman]

The rooms at Yosemite Lodge are very nice, and are close to Lower Yosemite Falls, one of the main attractions.

The cabins at Curry Village (as well as the campsites at Lower Pines) are much nearer to some of the nicer trails - - including what is perhaps the best hike in the park: the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall and then upwards to Nevada Fall.

This is a popular trail best attempted very early in the morning. The experience is far more beautiful without dozens of other people around. Camping or Lodging near the trailhead offers a major advantage.

[Prudence]

Hmmm. If this doesn't conflict with any potential cruise plans, I would potentially be able to go. I'm assuming I will have managed to graduate by then.

[innerSpaceman]

oooh, and let's start planning the 2009 trip next week!

[Prudence]

Why wait until next week?

[MouseWife]

Beautiful pictures, Mousepod!!

Ooo!! Those are the things we are going to be doing soon!

I saw Alexs' pictures and I think he went way beyond what I would like to do. Awesome, never a bad shot of Yosemite.

The bummer about Housekeeping Camp is that, if you could be assured no a-holes, the location is awesome and the amenities help to make it convenient and an easier camping trip. We drove in to show the 'kids' the river front locations. They looked awful, all covered up. But, they were deceivingly quiet and clean. I had to remind them if we booked one, right there on the river, we would have to deal with everyone in the camp, probably. Everyone would want to be right there at the riverbank.

I also love Yosemite Lodge over Camp Curry. But, right now that is all that is available. We do have a bath 2/3 nights.

Oakhurst is great. I always do think of Not Afraid there. :)

The burned trees are heartbreaking. How about the signs that tell you where the water level was up to in the Valley?? :eek:

[mousepod]

The signs that give you the water level in '97 are also telling you why you might not be able to get a room at the Lodge. Before the flood, there were 495 rooms at the hotel, and since the flood there are 245.

[NickO'Time]

I remember camping in Sonny Meadows in 84' with some kids from a church group. Also rode into Yosemite once, from a campground a few miles outside the gates when cyclists were free to ride in.
The scenery takes your breath away.

Beautiful photos Mousepod.:cool:

[MouseWife]

True, there is so much more of Yosemite we haven't seen. If you come in/out via Oakhurst, it is great. Fast, you are heading home.

But, if you go out Tioga Pass, well, there is so much that we've only briefly checked out. {the last times we've gone to Tahoe, it has been winter and Tioga Pass closed}.

Ah, yes, that is true about the loss of the lodging. Did you happen to read the green notebook that was in the Lodge room? I noticed {or it is new?} that they have a brief history of the Lodge and how it was when it was opened. The competition between it and Camp Curry and so much more! I hadn't heard any of that before. {wish I had retained more of it, quite interesting}.

[mousepod]

Ah, yes, that is true about the loss of the lodging. Did you happen to read the green notebook that was in the Lodge room? I noticed {or it is new?} that they have a brief history of the Lodge and how it was when it was opened. The competition between it and Camp Curry and so much more! I hadn't heard any of that before. {wish I had retained more of it, quite interesting}.

Yes, I got the info from the book in the room - I'd never heard the Camp Curry story before, either. According to the story, all of the other hoteliers in Yosemite had to pay 50% of their concession revenues to the guy who ran the Yosemite Lodge, who in turn paid 50% to the government. When the smaller hotels (including the Curry) complained to the gov, their concerns fell on deaf ears. Very interesting...

[Not Afraid]

I agree with ISM that, if you haven't been to the Valley, that is THE place to stay. There really is no other place like it on earth. However, in the summer, after school is out, it turns into a zoo and I head for Tuolomne (plus it is cooler there).

But, since my Brother is so close, I mostly end up doing day trips to Yosemite or going to other, lesser know, Sierra wonders (of which there are many). It would be nice to camp in the Valley in the Springtime. It's been ages since I've done that.

If you haven't done the Tioga Pass road, do it. It's lovely. For us, it starts either starts or ends with the beautiful drive on 395. The Eastern Sierra's are STUNNING - especially with snow.

[MouseWife]

Ugh, I was watching the Travel Channel and it must have been during the summer when it was super crowded. We are going June 30 through July 3. :eek: And, like iSm said, we will be doing the Mist trail early in the a.m. I do not want to be doing that with anyone more than in my group and a few people that we pass. {right, or pass us?}

About the early concessionaires, isn't that incredible? The owner of the Lodge was in good with the government and helped him to take that 50% from the others {Glacier Point Lodge also, I think?} How the Lodge was the only place either that was allowed to or that would sell liquor.

I bought a couple of books that I haven't had a chance to read {we were there 3/12-15}. One about the women of the Valley and I have to admit, I forget the other one.

But I love the history of it all. I am amazed, with that story from the lodge, that Camp Curry stayed as long as it did. It seems the Currys' did maintain control over it for quite some time. {?}

[MouseWife]

If you haven't done the Tioga Pass road, do it. It's lovely. For us, it starts either starts or ends with the beautiful drive on 395. The Eastern Sierra's are STUNNING - especially with snow.


It is lovely, also, you get to see Mono Lake {unless that is going N instead of S on the 395}. We've done some hiking up in the Tuolomne valley area.

Also, I finally did see snow on those Mammoth Mountains last year!

Does the Devils' Postpile get snow? That would be neat to see. If you can get to it, that is.

[innerSpaceman]

I love the (white man's) history of Yosemite. It's been a long time, so I don't remember details, but I was once an avid student of Yosemite history.


The history that really captures my imagination though, and which can no longer be known, is of the Native Americans who lived in the Valley. Though no life could have been easy back then, they resided in Paradise on Earth ... and, with its hidden location, was one of the last native strongholds to survive. I find the notion of the last Indian holdouts existing in Yosemite Valley, one of the most glorious places on the planet, so darn romantic. They were lucky enough to survive for decades longer than most natives on the continent ... yet still doomed to lose the holy splendor of nature's most glorious temple to the invading Europeans.

And the history from there is charming, to say the least. Yet we can know little of the eons when this unmatched Valley was unsullied by civilization.


(Le Sigh)

[Stan4dSteph]

Thanks for sharing your pictures Mousepod!

I've been to Yosemite many times. My family always seemed to make it there when we traveled out to CA. The one time we stayed in Housekeeping camp, I ended up in the emergency room with an asthma attack as a result of the mold/mildew/dust/whatever. We never stayed there again.

I can say from personal experience, that contrary to the trail being indicated as handicap accessible, the trail up to the bridge below Nevada Falls is not stroller-friendly. We made it though.

Curry Village is nice. We have stayed in the tent cabins and the regular cabins. There are 2-room cabins that have adjoining rooms with double beds in them with a bathroom in between. That's where we stayed on my most recent trip.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Does the Devils' Postpile get snow? That would be neat to see. If you can get to it, that is.

Devils Postpile does get snow, it's at about 7500 feet. The opening date is variable, last year it opened in late June. The road to Devils Postpile is right at the bottom of the Mammoth Mtn ski resort, I don't believe they plow the roads past there, so access is dependent on the absence of snow. Normally you park at the Mammoth Mtn parking lot, and take a bus in. They have buses that make stops, so you can get off, hike around and take the bus to another section of the monument. It's well worth the trip.

[innerSpaceman]

We are going June 30 through July 3.
Wow, that's the exact dates of our Swankamping Trip to Sequioa.


Is there some Sierra National Parks convergence point where we can communicate with each other by leaving messages under a magic stone in each park??

[MouseWife]

Thanks for that info, DreadPirateRoberts! I've only been once but we had only the one day and we did a few hikes and not focused on one place. I didn't know you could go on top of them. I saw this on Huell Howard. Oh, whatever his name is! :mad: {I love the guys' show, it is on local t.v., he does CA spots}. But it sounds like it is unaccessable during a snow.


Oh, iSm, the history before the white man came. It really does sound like Paradise. It is hard to imagine. Yes, that history is very worth while. The naming of some of the local mountains {right, three brothers and others?}, the name 'Yosemite'. The little museum in the Valley doesn't do a lot of justice, but it is good that they acknowledge their primary presence in the valley.

Is there some Sierra National Parks convergence point where we can communicate with each other by leaving messages under a magic stone in each park??

So, seriously, the dates of Camp Swank begin the 30th? I've been trying to see if we can go one night.....the Hubster says I don't know what I am asking for. ;)

Mousepod, was the Mist Trail open? Or did you guys just do it? When we went in March, it was closed but we ran into a couple coming down the John Muir trail and they said they'd done the MT but that the JMT was worse because of the snow. It was, really, I bummed everyone out by saying no more hiking in/on that type of snow on the side of a mountain! I'd bought snow show thingies :rolleyes: but they said there was no snow so I left them at home. Would have been perfect.

Oooh, wait, did you have snow while you were there? Or was it from the weekend before you went? I follow the webcam and saw some snow.....

[mousepod]

The Mist Trail was open (and crowded as the day went on). We didn't get snow, but we did have some rain on Saturday.

We'd go back in a second.

Let the swanking planning commence!

[DreadPirateRoberts]

I saw this on Huell Howard. Oh, whatever his name is! :mad: {I love the guys' show, it is on local t.v., he does CA spots}.

Very close, it's Huell Howser. It's also fun, but expensive, to take the gondola up to the top of Mammoth Mtn. They keep the gondola running during the summer.

[MouseWife]

mousepod~ oh yeah, we will be going up first thing in the morning to do that. I am clumsy and don't want to have to navigate around other people. Once I start up, I don't want to stop.

{I am wondering if we can make the '08 swanking, too....}

DRP~ LOL Howser!! Dang, I was close. :D So, this gondola, I must have missed it. Or thought it was for skiers.

Anywho, even though I fudge his name I love his shows. And Samantha Browns.

Is anyone watching the Travel Channel and their National Park week?
Yesterday they had the ten top in the West and of course Yosemite was on it. What was cool is that the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood were on there, also. My sis in law lives there, we visited end of September. I thought the area had the feeling of a big playground. :D So much to do and it is all so close. {to those areas, LOL, not me}

[Alex]

The first time we did Half Dome (via the Mist Trail) the fall was in full force which was nice because once we reached the top we were in blazing sun for most of the rest of the day.

This day we encountered something that put everything in perspective. We're huffing and puffing away and wondering if we can actually make it up there when this guy comes running by. This man was the perfect physical specimen. All he is wearing is running shorts, shoes, and sunglasses. Friends who were ahead of us ran into him at the top of Half Dome and talked to him. Turns out that once a month he does the run from the valley floor to the top of Half Dome. Just for fun. Our friends said he did the final dome climb at full speed and never touched the cable.

The second time was during that unexpected snow storm a couple years ago that killed a couple mountain climbers who froze to death stranded on cliff faces. We were hiking in shorts and t-shirts and it started to snow just as we hit the top. That was a thrilling hike back. To compensate the falls were so low I don't think we even got misted on the Mist Trail.

[MouseWife]

Sad story about the hikers freezing.

Wow about the runner! I am not going to run though!!! Well, maybe I'll go for a run but I am not running up that hill! It is really a long hike.

How long did it take you go go up to Half Dome? Hubster wants to but I tell him no thanks.

We'll have our son, soon to be 13 with us and he doesn't train with us. That worries me but he is tough.

[Alex]

Round trip on Half Dome is something like 17 miles. After you reach the top of Vernal it is still uphill but not generally too bad.

Don't worry about the training. Unless you are in a big hurry you'll get to the top.

[Stan4dSteph]

Round trip on Half Dome is something like 17 miles. After you reach the top of Vernal it is still uphill but not generally too bad.

Don't worry about the training. Unless you are in a big hurry you'll get to the top.You just have to leave very early, or be prepared to hike down in the dark, right?

[Alex]

For the full 17? Depends on your speed. We left promptly in the morning (not godawful early but early) and made it back with plenty of daylight.

But wearing good shoes is key. 9 miles of steep downhill walking will beat your toes into what feels like hamburger if you have any slip room in the toes of your shoes.

[innerSpaceman]

So, seriously, the dates of Camp Swank begin the 30th? I've been trying to see if we can go one night.....the Hubster says I don't know what I am asking for.

!!! Actually, the LoT Camping trip starts Thursday, June 28!!! You could join us for two days, and then zip up through the mountains to Yosemite! (Or you could join us for one day, and hike the Sierra Crest really fast to Yosemite) :p



Hubby's poo-pooing notwithstanding, we would love for you to join us for a brief while before going on to Yosemite. I fear we won't be able to find the magic communication rock.

:cool:

[Prudence]

Does the magic communication rock extend to Utah? Because those are also the dates I'll be at Bryce/Grand Canyon. It's a national park visiting week, I guess.

[innerSpaceman]

OMG, I'll be at the Grand Canyon the beginning of June. I'll leave a secret message for you under the magic communication rock.


Of course, you'll be on the North Rim while I'll have been on the South. But that's why the rock is magic!