Any Yosemite NP Visit Updates in 2021

[diversey]

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!

[AnalogAngler]

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

[diversey]

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.

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

[Drew Wiley]

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.

[diversey]

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

[Vaughn]

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

[diversey]

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?

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

[Vaughn]

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?

I thought some cabins had heaters. I have given workshops in the Valley in April and the weather can go from warm sun to snow to rain and back again in the week. May can be pretty nice...but can also have cold nights. The Valley is only 4000', but high enough1

One can hike up to Glacier point by a couple different routes...neither are easy walks. The Four-Mile Trail is the quickest route...sometimes closed due to snow in the winter, with people going up anyway. The other route goes up to Nevada Falls then over to Glacier Point. A longish hike for the fit.

[DavidFisk]

[QUOTE=Vaughn;1592140]I thought some cabins had heaters.

Well, I guess if you rub 2 photographers together you could generate some sparks and then....oh, never mind.

[John Kasaian]

I thought some cabins had heaters. I have given workshops in the Valley in April and the weather can go from warm sun to snow to rain and back again in the week. May can be pretty nice...but can also have cold nights. The Valley is only 4000', but high enough1

One can hike up to Glacier point by a couple different routes...neither are easy walks. The Four-Mile Trail is the quickest route...sometimes closed due to snow in the winter, with people going up anyway. The other route goes up to Nevada Falls then over to Glacier Point. A longish hike for the fit.

IIRC some of the tent cabins at Camp Curry still have heaters. The deluxe tent cabins that were also insulated were removed around 2015 because it was thought they attracted Hanta spreading critters