Yosemite and Camping trips

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Yosemite and Camping Trips

A beginner's camping guide
Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful and impressive places I've ever been.

I frequently go to Yosemite with first timers. Since I do it so frequently, and since some of my friends have never been camping, here is a page with hints for first time Yosemiters. Use the information at your own risk.

More authoritative information, including on-line reservations, can be found at http://www.yosemite.org and http://www.yosemite.com.

What do we do in Yosemite?
A Marcio's Yosemite trip lasts 2 to 4 days.

A typical first time program is to hike the Vernal/Nevada falls trail (a pleasant 5-6 hour hike).

Other day-time activities may include visiting Glacial Point, the Sequoia Groves, Yosemite Falls, Tanaya Lake, having a relaxed picnic by the Merced River looking at Yosemite Falls or a downhill hike from Glacial Point.

While in Yosemite
- Do not feed animals (including cute ones)
- Do not litter, pack out all garbage
- Do not leave food unattended (even inside a car)
- Leave pine cones, rocks where they belong
- If there is a trail, stay in the trail

When to go?
I personally think the park is most beautiful during Winter months. Of course, you should not consider camping unless you have proper equipment and disposition for that. Hwy. 120 and Half Dome are closed and you cannot access the North part of the park unless you do wilderness camping/hiking.

Most people seem to think late Springs (May/Jun) is the best time to go to Yosemite. Hwy. 120 and Half Dome are still closed, but it is when the waterfalls are full of water and weather is the most pleasant. The problems is the crowd on the trails and the cars jamming the roads.

Early Falls (Oct/Sep) is still warm enough for comfortable casual camping and there is not as many people. Yosemite Falls is completely dry, but there is still some water on Vernal/Nevada Falls. It is this time of the year when I usually go to the park with a big group.

Hotel, Tents or Camping?
Some people cannot live without hot water, room service and air-conditioning. Those people should stay in the city. There is a hotel with all those ammenities in the park, but I have not stayed there.

Camping in the valley (Upper/Lower Pines), means setting the tent in a parking lot-like area and hear the people in the next tent snoring. No fire, no cooking. All the disadvantages of camping without the benefits.

If you are going to Yosemite with me, there are only two valid types of accommodation: camping outside the valley (by far, the first option) or the tent cabins at Curry Village (valid for convenience, if people are not prepared to camp).

Camping outside the valley
I like staying at one of the campgrounds outside the Valley. Most of them are first-come-first-serve and it is usually easy to get a spot.

Facilities usually include marked camping spots, fire ring, food storage boxes, shared toilet/sink. Most campgrounds are within half-hour drive from the valley.

Showers and hot water are not available, so we stop at Curry Village at the end of the day before heading back to camp.

What I enjoy the most, even more than the waterfalls or the hikes is talking, cooking, and drinking Irish coffee around the fire at night.

Bring a chair, the guitar, the stories, the marshmallow, telescope, flash lights. Camping is fun! Usually you can set up to 3 tents/2 cars/8 people at each camping spot. It is cold at night, even during summer. Bring your gloves and jacket and find a good sleeping bag or a sleeping partner.

Hodgdon is very close to the entrance (so it is convenient for late arrivals) and has nice secluded camping spots. Crane Flat is a bigger site and most of the spots are less than ideal, but there are some good sites there too. White Wolf and Bridal Veil are both good, but they are far from the Valley (40 min drive).

Tent Cabins at Curry Village
If (a) people don't have proper gear and (b) it is too cold for 3-season equipment (Oct-Apr), We stay at one of the tent cabins at Curry Village.

We need to call in advance to reserve tents cabins. It is a army-style tent, not much better than a camping tent, but it has a light bulb and real beds. Some units have even a heater during winter months (which don't help much). If available, reserve the tent for 4 people (they all cost the same).

Shower/restaurant/other facilities are nearby. Bed linen, towels and blankets are provided.

Disadvantages are that you cannot cook, cannot make a fire, have to go to sleep by 10 PM. It costs $45 - $65 per cabin (which usually has one double and 2 single beds).

What do I need to bring?
A typical program would be: arrive at night or in the morning, hike during the day, stop at Curry Village, head to camp, cook, eat, sing, go see the stars, sleep, wake up, breakfast, sightseeing, picnic lunch, head back home.

For hiking:

- Backpack
- Hiking Boots or anything you can hike on
- Sweat Pants (may be left behind during Summer)
- Shorts
- Fleece Jacket or Sweater
- Water resistant shell (if weather is good and hike is short, may be left behind)
- Hat or baseball cap
- Packed Lunch (bars, nuts, sandwiches, fruits, etc.)
- Drinking Water (2 litters for a day hike)
- Flashlight
- Sun block
- Camera/film

For the night:

- Really warm clothing (include hat, gloves, etc.)
- Toiletries
- Towel (just in case)
- Sandals (for the showers)
- Comfortable shoes

For camping (if not staying at Curry village)

- Good sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad or wool blanket (to put under the bag)
- Bear repellent
- folding chair
- Guitar, playing cards, chess set, etc.
- Good stories and jokes
- Flashlight and batteries

Group stuff:

- Tent
- Gas stoves and lamps
- Cookware
- Plates/Cups/garbage bags
- Dinner and Breakfast food
- Ice Cooler/Ice
- Map/Guidebook
- First Aid kit
- Firewood

Money:

- Park entrance is $20 per car
- A camping spot costs around $15/night/spot
- A Curry Village Tent costs around $45/night/4-5 people

Camping food checklist: