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Thread: Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

    We plan to go to Yosemite NP in May. It seems all hotel rooms inside park have been fully booked, no room available besides tent cabins.
    Any updates to visit Yosemite NP in Spring and Summer 2021?
    What is the best itinerary to Visit Yosemite NP, 3 or 4 days?
    Thanks!

  2. #2

    Re: Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

    Time of course depends entirely on what you want to do - but I would go for as long as possible. Right now there is no mention of the reservation system being put back in place for the summer, but will be something to watch out for. In the absence of the reservation system, the park will likely be very busy compared to last year - probably even more so than previous years based on the trends other parks have been seeing.

    Also note that in May the Tioga Road may or may not be open depending on the snow and subsequent removal. Glacier Point may also not be open - see https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/seasonal.htm for previous open/close dates from NPS. If closed, this obviously cuts down the number of places you can see in the high country.

    Anything in particular you want to see/photograph? Most of places within the valley are pretty short trips.

    Possibly of interest: the Ansel Adams gallery will reopen in April and they also have a new app with the locations of some of his photographs.

    Kind of new to this forum - hope this helps,

    -AnalogAngler

  3. #3
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

    It would be wise to check for accommodations outside the Park in El Portal. It's very difficult to predict the exact manner in which covid restrictions will be gradually lifted; so the official Park website should be frequently consulted. Snowfall levels are somewhat below normal in the high country, but still ample enough to make it doubtful Tioga Pass will be open before Memorial Day. Other entrances will have to be used.

  4. #4
    Vaughn's Avatar
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    Re: Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

    Tent cabins are pretty neat. Fancy digs if one is a camper.

    If the Pass is still closed, check out the Wawona area. Chilnualna Creek Trail up to the Falls would be an alternative to the Valley. A short hike (not 'easy') is along the creek until it leaves the creek on its way up to the Falls. The whole hike is for the fit. Many years ago, we used it as a warm-up hike for our hike up to the top of Half Dome...it is about half of that hike in distance and elevation gain. I'll be up there in this mid-June (Chilnualna Falls -- not the disney Half Dome hike).

    Unmarked walk up to Turtle Dome is also nice.

    Photo:
    Chilnualna Creek, Spring, 1997
    4x5, 150mm lens, meter read 7 to 14, exposed at 9 (f32 at 4 seconds)
    Kodak Copy film, HC-110, carbon print
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Falls, Chilnualna Cr,YNP_4x5.jpg  
    "Landscapes exist in the material world yet soar in the realms of the spirit..." Tsung Ping, 5th Century China

  5. #5

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    San Joaquin Valley, California
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    Re: Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

    Like others have said, a lot depends on if Tioga Pass is open. If not, Yosemite Valley is your oyster.
    I don't know what is going on with Mariposa Grove this summer at part of the spiffy new plastic walkway was damaged in last year's fire.
    If it is during the high season, or week ends, or a free entry day, Yosemite Valley could be your gridlock nightmare.

    If Tioga is open, plan to spend some time at Tuolumne Meadows & Tenaya Lake.

    For accommodations check out the Housekeeping Camp (16) and shoot for a riverfront tent if possible. Being lured to sleep by the Merced at night is worth the effort

    If Tioga is closed and there are no vacancies in the Valley, try Bridalveil campground on the Glacier Point road, or Wawona campground.
    Very early Spring(April-May) before the mosquitos arrive has the best waterfalls, but the Spring run off is treacherous, so beware. Later Spring has mosquitos so large the FFA paints N numbers on their wings. Autumn is quite nice other than that the falls are a trickle.
    There are plenty of classic hikes from the valley that can easily occupy most of a day each: Vernal/Nevada Falls; Glacier Point; Mirror Lake; Yosemite Falls, etc...

    I hope this helps!
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

  6. #6

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    Re: Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

    Outside the park, your best bet is the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal. If you are going, book now!
    There are 3 kinds of people in the world: those who can count and those who can't.

  7. #7

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    Re: Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

    AnalogAngler: Thanks for your information. I am worried about Tioga road opening. If it does not open we will miss some good places. It will be our first time to go to Yosemite and hope we can go back again.

    Quote Originally Posted by AnalogAngler View Post
    Time of course depends entirely on what you want to do - but I would go for as long as possible. Right now there is no mention of the reservation system being put back in place for the summer, but will be something to watch out for. In the absence of the reservation system, the park will likely be very busy compared to last year - probably even more so than previous years based on the trends other parks have been seeing.

    Also note that in May the Tioga Road may or may not be open depending on the snow and subsequent removal. Glacier Point may also not be open - see https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/seasonal.htm for previous open/close dates from NPS. If closed, this obviously cuts down the number of places you can see in the high country.

    Anything in particular you want to see/photograph? Most of places within the valley are pretty short trips.

    Possibly of interest: the Ansel Adams gallery will reopen in April and they also have a new app with the locations of some of his photographs.

    Kind of new to this forum - hope this helps,

    -AnalogAngler

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    Re: Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

    Drew, Thanks! we plan to make hotel reservations in El Portal, which is the best option, although we want to stay inside the park.

  9. #9

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    Re: Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

    Vaughn, a nice photo! From the picture, the tent cabins look great, but not heated. I am worried it will be too cold in night.If Tioga road is closed, can I hike to Glacier point?

    Quote Originally Posted by Vaughn View Post
    Tent cabins are pretty neat. Fancy digs if one is a camper.

    If the Pass is still closed, check out the Wawona area. Chilnualna Creek Trail up to the Falls would be an alternative to the Valley. A short hike (not 'easy') is along the creek until it leaves the creek on its way up to the Falls. The whole hike is for the fit. Many years ago, we used it as a warm-up hike for our hike up to the top of Half Dome...it is about half of that hike in distance and elevation gain. I'll be up there in this mid-June (Chilnualna Falls -- not the disney Half Dome hike).

    Unmarked walk up to Turtle Dome is also nice.

    Photo:
    Chilnualna Creek, Spring, 1997
    4x5, 150mm lens, meter read 7 to 14, exposed at 9 (f32 at 4 seconds)
    Kodak Copy film, HC-110, carbon print

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    Posts
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    Re: Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

    John: Thanks for your information!

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kasaian View Post
    Like others have said, a lot depends on if Tioga Pass is open. If not, Yosemite Valley is your oyster.
    I don't know what is going on with Mariposa Grove this summer at part of the spiffy new plastic walkway was damaged in last year's fire.
    If it is during the high season, or week ends, or a free entry day, Yosemite Valley could be your gridlock nightmare.

    If Tioga is open, plan to spend some time at Tuolumne Meadows & Tenaya Lake.

    For accommodations check out the Housekeeping Camp (16) and shoot for a riverfront tent if possible. Being lured to sleep by the Merced at night is worth the effort

    If Tioga is closed and there are no vacancies in the Valley, try Bridalveil campground on the Glacier Point road, or Wawona campground.
    Very early Spring(April-May) before the mosquitos arrive has the best waterfalls, but the Spring run off is treacherous, so beware. Later Spring has mosquitos so large the FFA paints N numbers on their wings. Autumn is quite nice other than that the falls are a trickle.
    There are plenty of classic hikes from the valley that can easily occupy most of a day each: Vernal/Nevada Falls; Glacier Point; Mirror Lake; Yosemite Falls, etc...

    I hope this helps!

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