Anybody been to Yosemite lately? I haven't been there since I was a little kid and my wife has never been. Whats a good time to go? Any camping recommendations? (if everything isn't already booked). Looking forward to hiking up Vernal Falls again, maybe Nevada Falls too. Any other secret spots up there? Any other geological landmarks? (no, not climbing el capitan )

 

Did you know the average visitor hikes 3/4 of a mile? Including the trip to and from the car?

 

Best time to go personally is either winter (it's unbelievably beautiful) or late spring/early summer. If you have allergies you WILL die though. And also, it's pretty damn hard to get camping passes. You have to really plan it out.

 

Check out their website. It answers all your questions. late spring, april-may is the best I hear. Waterfalls in prime and not too hot yet.

I plan to climb halfdome this spring.

Winter is really pretty though, but it can be a hit or miss depending on the weather.
I just saw it in fall and it was really pretty to. The colors were amazing.

 

I think 'SnOw8' just got back from there

 

I camped there in the winter before and it it amazing. Highly recommend it. If you are looking for something a little quicker, you can always chance it and get there really early in the morning and try to get one of the non-reserved campsites, but that is tough. Also, you can try for cancellations. I have stayed at Bass Lake before as well, which is a little ways out of the south entrance. It is an alright place to camp, but gets kinda noisy during the day and it isn't Yosemite Valley.

 

My dad just got back... awesome photos. Looked beautiful up there.

 

Ansel Adams recommends the winter time.

Exhibit A:




I haven't made it there in winter time yet. I'm planning it out for this year though. I go every July to hike the dome.

 

Man this thread makes me totally not regret not camping there this winter!

 

Given this year's snowfall, I'm thinking May and June will be awesome waterfall months.

 

If you go in the later months you can still pick easy peezy trails that access snow. There is a really fun one that takes you to the largest seqouias. I did it afraid it would be too tiring for me and my husky but it was a ton of fun. This was around late April.

 

You get your permit yet? Everyone needs permit for half dome this year. About time too, We got stuck behind some ****** having a panic attack on the cables last year. Otherwise you need reservations to even consider camping in the park before they open the high country. Once that opens if you get up there Thursday or early Friday you can usually get a first come first served spot somewhere in the high country. If you cant you can either go for a spot on the east side towards lee vining or dispersed camp off evergreen road before you hit the entrance. Either one is a lot of driving though, so be ready. As a last resort the rv park in lee vining has a big lawn you v
Can pitch your tent on, just get up early and try to swoop some spots around 9am.

 

Never been, always wanted to go. I would be able to go (w/ wife and baby) later this year but would plan to probably hike/walk a long ways but not do anything extreme (baby).

Subscribed for the advice. 3/4 of a mile.. So sad, but very believable. People look at me like I am insane whenever I suggest to walk anywhere. I mean, I am insane but I like to walk places. Anyway.

 

spring is definitely the right time, May is my favorite month there.

Also worth checking out the wilderness behind main park. Inyo NP and the Ansel Adams Wilderness/John Muir Wilderness are much better IMO... but the valley is dramatic and easy to access.

 

I was under the impression that you needed a permit for the Cables for Fri, Sat, and Sun but not for the rest of the week (This was the rule last year).

My friends and I usually leave on Sunday @ Midnight and get to the top of Half Dome for Sunrise. Its a nice sunrise view, you keep cool going up the mountain, and you don't need a permit (but you have to take a day off of work).