r r

r Yosemite > FAQ >r

r r The Yosemite FAQr
r (Frequently-asked Questions with Answers)r r

r

r

r r r

r r 4. Resourcesr r Detailed Table of Contentsr r

r

r Have a correction or addition for this FAQ?r Then please fill out thisr Comment Form.r

r

r

r r

r r r r r r r r  r Copyright © 1996 - 2000 Jeffrey Trust. Copyright © 2002 - 2010 Dan Anderson. All rights reserved.r r

r  r

r r r http://www.yosemite.ca.us/faq/r r r

Part 1: Introduction

r
• The Yosemite FAQr
• Location and Destinationsr
• Climater
• When to visitr
• Transportationr
• If you will visit Yosemite, please read this sectionr

r Copyright © 1996-2000 Jeffrey Trust.r
r Copyright © 2002-2007 Dan Anderson.r
r This document may be freely distributed for non-commercial purposes only,r provided that it is distributed unmodified and in its entirety.r r

r While I have attempted to keep all information correct, up-to-date, andr complete, neither I, nor any other contributors to this FAQ, assume anyr responsibility for its correctness. In other words: use this informationr at your own risk. Additionally, while Yosemite, like many rural areas, hasr a relatively low crime rate, do not let your guard down: even though seriousr crimes may be relatively uncommon, keep your personal safety in mind.r

r This this document is kept atr http://www.yosemite.ca.us/faq/r

r See also the Official NPS FAQr andr another NPS FAQ.r

r Yosemite National Park is located in the central Sierra Nevada, roughlyr east of San Francisco. Elevations within the park range from 2,000 feetr (610 m) to over 13,000 feet (3,950 m).r

r The most visited portion of Yosemite is Yosemite Valley,r the elevation of which is about 4,000 feetr (1,200 m). Other popular destinations in Yosemite are Glacier Pointr (7,200 feet/2,200 m), Tuolumne Meadows (8,500 feet/2,600 m), and Wawonar (4,000 feet/1,200 m).r

r CLIMATEr

r Climate Data for Yosemite Valleyr

r

r Yosemite High Country Climate, Including Tuolumne Meadowsr

r Temperatures in the High Country, such as Tuolumne Meadows,r are typically 10°F to 20°F (5-10°C) degreesr cooler than in Yosemite Valley.r The High Country receives several feet of snow per year, though summertimer thunderstorms also occur, usually in the afternoon.r

r

r WHEN TO VISIT YOSEMITEr

r Visitation to Yosemite is controlled mostly by the climate (see ther climate section above for climate information). Peakr visitation occurs during the summer months (late May to early September).r During winter, the amount of hiking one can do is substantially limited byr snow. However, snow provides many other recreational activities.r Snowmobiling is prohibited.r

r Hiking and backpacking in Yosemite can be done year-round, though thoser hiking in mid-fall through early-spring may encounter winter storms andr abundant snow on the trails.r

r Please note that park roads may be temporarily closed or chainsr may be required following winter storms. YOU MUST CARRY CHAINSr IN YOUR CAR between November 1st and March 31st-- NO EXCEPTIONS!r Please also note that during periods of heavy visitation duringr summer weekends (holiday weekends, in particular) the park entrancer stations may occasionally refuse entrance to visitors who do not haver overnight reservations in the park.r

r

r TRANSPORTATION TO AND WITHIN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARKr

r Yosemite road and weather conditions: 209-372-0200r California road conditions from CalTrans: 800-GAS-ROAD or 800-427-7623r http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/r Note that CalTrans may not have complete information for roads withinr Yosemite National Park.r r

r Seasonsr

r Yosemite National Park closes many roads by October or November andr normally reopens them by late May or June. Yosemite Valley and Wawonar normally remain open all year; Badger Pass Ski Area is open only in ther winter (typically, December through March). Tire chains may be requiredr on park road AT ANY TIME. For more information about winter conditions,r see the winter section of this FAQ.r r

r Fee scheduler

r

r Car and Individual fees are valid for 7 days, all other passes are validr for one year.r

r The Trans-Sierra Pass (which was valid for one-way passage over Tiogar Pass) has been discontinued; nearby residents can drive through for free.r

r Upon entrance to the park, visitors receive a park map and the Yosemiter Guide, which provides much information about facilities and currentr activities in the Park. The map is not a suitable replacement for ar topographic map. READ THE YOSEMITE GUIDE! It has answers to most of yourr questions!!!r

r Please note that none of the entrance passes pays for other park fees,r including campground fees (though a 50% discount is available with validr Golden Age and Golden Access passports).r Entrance stations may be closed during the evening and night. In thisr case, fees may be collected upon leaving the park. Fees are notr collected from hikers entering on remote trails.r Day-use reservations are not required.r r

r Roadsr

r The best way to keep from getting lost is to spend a few bucks and get ar map of California.r

r Between November 1st and March 31st, you are REQUIRED to carry tire chains evenr if you are driving a four-wheel drive vehicle and all roads are open with nor restrictions. If you do not have chains you may be cited. In addition, your might be stranded in the park or have to buy chains for $80+. Learn fromr others' expensive and inconvenient lessons: always carry tire chains.r

r For fairly current road conditions, seer http://www.nps.gov/yose/now/conditions.htmr For current road conditions, call 209-372-0200.r r

r Highway 41 (Wawona Road)r
r Connects with Hwy 99 at Fresno and ends in Yosemite Valley.r Provides access to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Wawona, Badgerr Pass, and Glacier Point. Normally open all year, except during majorr snowstorms.r r

r Highway 140 (El Portal Road)r
r Connects with Hwy 99 in Merced and ends in Yosemite Valley. Open all yearr except during major snowstorms, floods, or rockslides. This is the leastr likely road into Yosemite to require tire chains.r Update (9/2006): due to a rockslide, a detour with two bridges has been installed. The detour is one way at a time and controlled by traffic signals.r A temporary 28' vehicle limit is in effect, due to limited turning radius on the bridges. Bike access is allowed.r r

r Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat and Tioga Roads)r
r Connects with Hwy 99 in Manteca and with Hwy 395 in Lee Vining. Providesr access to Big Oak Flat, Crane Flat, White Wolf, Tenaya Lake, Tuolumner Meadows, and Tioga Pass. The portion of the road from Big Oak Flatr Entrance Station to Crane Flat is normally open all year. From Craner Flat, the Big Oak Flat Road (open all year) continues to Yosemite Valley.r CLOSED during winter (Oct/Nov-May/Jun) from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass.r r

r Glacier Point Roadr
r Runs from from Chinquapin (junction of Glacier Point Road and Wawona Road)r to Glacier Point. Provides access to Badger Pass and Glacier Point.r CLOSED to Glacier Point during winter (Oct/Nov-May/Jun); open to Badgerr Pass December through March.r r

r Hetch Hetchy Roadr
r Runs from Big Oak Flat to Hetch Hetchy Valley. Provides access to Matherr Ranger Station, O'Shaughnessy Dam, and Hetch Hetchy Valley.r May be CLOSED during winter.r r

r Mass transit to Yosemiter

r There are no airports in Yosemite National Park. The nearest larger airport is Fresno-Yosemite International (Fresno Air Terminal). Ther nearest municipal airports are in Mariposa and Lee Vining. There arer flights to and from Fresno-Yosemite International (Fresno Air Terminal)r and the Merced Airport. Air travel to Yosemite is beyond the scope ofr this FAQ.r r

r Trains and Busesr

r Amtrak and Greyhound provide service to Yosemite. Amtrak runs train servicer through the Central Valley of California (the train is called "the Sanr Joaquin"). Buses connect major cities in California (Los Angeles, Sanr Francisco, and Sacramento) to the San Joaquin. (It is possible to connectr to the San Joaquin by buses or trains from other cities as well.)r To get to Yosemite, passengers should exit the train at Merced or Fresno,r where Via Bus connects to Yosemite Valley.r Greyhound also runs buses from major California cities (and manyr smaller ones along the way) to Merced, where you can connect to Via Bus.r

r Yosemite Area Regional Transit System offers transportation along hwy 140r into the park and limited transportation along hwy 120 east and west andr within the park between Wawona and Yosemite Valley.r r

r For more information:r
r Amtrak: 800-USA-RAIL (800-872-7245)r
r Greyhound: 800-231-2222r
r VIA Bus: 800-369-PARK (800-369-7275) or 209-384-1315r
r YARTS: http://www.yarts.com/r I have frequently used Amtrak, Greyhound, and VIA bus, and I can attest thatr traveling to Yosemite by any of these means (particularly via Amtrak + Via) isr nice.r r

r REGULARLY SCHEDULED BUS SERVICE INTO YOSEMITE -- visitr http://www.yosemite.com/yarts/r for details!r

r Transportation withIN Yosemite National Parkr

r Bus service information: 209-372-1240 or at Yosemite Lodge Tour Desk.r

r FREE shuttle buses!r

r I strongly encourage you to use shuttle buses, within the areas theyr serve, in lieu of driving your car. Use of the shuttle buses decreasesr traffic congestion and pollution, and allow you to enjoy the sceneryr without concentrating on driving and being concerned about finding ar parking space. Please note that during summer days, the Mariposa Grover road CLOSES frequently to ALL traffic except shuttle buses and vehiclesr displaying disabled-person placards. The road closes when the parking lotr at the Grove fills up, so park at Wawona and take the shuttle bus.r

r FREE shuttle buses run:r

r
1. around eastern Yosemite Valley (including stops near all major trailheads,r concessions, and most campgrounds),r
2. between Wawona and the Mariposa Grove (summer), andr
3. Between Tioga Pass and May Lake, including several stops in Tuolumner Meadows, Tenaya Lake, and Olmsted Point (summer).r

r For-fee shuttle busesr

r A hikers' bus runs daily (during summer) between Yosemite Valley andr Glacier Point. A fee is charged for this service. This is a good way tor visit the Glacier Point area without having to hike up to Glacier Pointr and back.r

r A hikers' bus runs from Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows daily duringr the summer. A fee is charged for this service. The bus driver will stopr at trailheads along the Tioga Road between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumner Meadows if you inform the driver in advance.r

r Bus Length Restrictionsr

r
• Highway 41 (Wawona Rd.) - buses up to 45 feet in length allowed.
r r
• Glacier Pt Road - buses over 30 feet in length are restricted from travelling beyond the turnoff to Badger Pass.
r r
• Mariposa Grove of Big Trees - Buses over 40 feet in length are not allowed, parking is extremely limited.
r r
• Hetch Hetchy Rd - Any vehicle exceeding 25 feet in length or 96 inches in width is prohibited.
r r
• Highway 140 (El Portal Rd.) - buses up to 45 feet in length are allowed.r Update (9/2006): due to a rockslide, a detour with a temporary 28' vehicle limit is in effect.r
r r
• Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat Rd. and Tioga Rd.) - buses up to 45 feet in length are allowed.
r r
• Highway 120 West, outside of the park, from the park boundary near the Big Oak Flat Entrance to the Highway 49 Junction at Moccasin is restricted to buses over 40 feet in length.r CHP is enforcing this restriction, so before you suggest a bus use this route please be sure that the bus is no longer than 40 feet.r This is a Caltrans/CHP-enforced restriction that has been in effect for over 5 years.
r

r Hitch hikingr

r Hitch hiking is discouraged in Yosemite, and for good reason. In 1995, ar National Park Ranger picked up a seemingly-nice hitch hiker and wasr subsequently kidnapped. Don't do it. There are plenty of buses to taker you where you want to go. Hitch hiking in Yosemite is not as reliable asr in other parts of the country because of the relative rarity of vehiclesr with room to take on an additional passenger and his/her gear.r r r

r IF YOU WILL VISIT YOSEMITE PLEASE READ AND REMEMBER THIS SECTION!r

r If you love Yosemite and you believe others should have a chance to see itr as you have, please abide by these rules. If that's not enough of ar reason, if you violate these regulations you are in a violation ofr FEDERAL LAW, and you may be fined, arrested, and/or evicted from the park andr possibly barred from reentry for a period. If that is not enough ofr a reason, keep in mind that many people have found out the hard way thatr if you violate the safety-related rules you may be seriously injured orr killed.r

r IF YOU HAVE A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY IN YOSEMITE, DIAL 911.r Report crimes, and property damage caused by wildlife, to park rangers.r r

r

r
• DO NOT feed the animals! The animals in Yosemite are wild: please keepr them that way. By feeding them, you are spoiling them. The animals willr lose their ability to feed themselves. They will rely on you to feed them.r When you aren't there, they will starve. If animals become toor aggressive because humans are feeding them, they may have to be killed.r In addition, human food is bad for, and may kill, wildlife. Think of itr this way: if you feed an animal, you are killing it.r
  r r

  r These animals MAY BE DANGEROUS! By feeding them you risk serious injuryr or death! And if you are injured, the animal will be killed as a resultr of your irresponsibility. There is always a risk of transmission ofr often-fatal diseases, such as black plague or Hanta virus.r Store your food properly. In campgrounds, Curry Village tent cabins, andr Housekeeping Camp, ALWAYS use food storage lockers ("bear boxes"); in ther backcountry use bear cannisters.r

  r r

  r

• DO NOT LEAVE ANY FOODr (or anything resembling food or food containers,r including ice chests, pizza boxes, candy wrappers, or any kind of foodr packaging or any other packaging that might interest a bear orr anything that might possibly smell like food, including toothpaste, soap,r cosmetics, lotions, sunscreen, lip balm, coffee, garbage, fragrancer containers, etc.) IN YOUR CAR!!!r
  r r

  r During the daytime, it's probably safe to leave food in your car, IFr NECESSARY, but it MUST NOT be visible (put it in your trunk, if possible).r During nighttime hours, NEVER leave ANY food ANYWHERE in your car.r A bear will smell it (even if you can't) and a bear will get it.r Store your food indoors (in a hard-sided structure) or use ar bear box, if one is available, AT ALL TIMES. Bears don't care about carr alarms, door locks, or any other anti-theft devices. Never leaver unstored food unattended. If a bear obtains food from your campsite orr vehicle, it is one step closer to death-- and it's your fault!r

  r r

  r

• DO NOT feed, taunt, or tease the bears. Bears are stronger than you.r (If you'd like to see how strong they are, take a look in the Valley Visitorr Center.) If you feed, taunt, or tease them, they may attack you. Therer has never been an unprovoked attack by a black bear in Yosemite. If ar bear approaches, make noise, wave your arms, and throw SMALL stones atr the bear. (The point of throwing objects at the bear is to scare itr away-- not to injure it!) Do not chase the bear. Do not run from ther bear. Bears run faster than you and climb trees better and faster thanr you.r
  r r

  r If a bear approaches you because you have food and is not frightened byr the above measures, leave the food and walk away. Do not argue with ther bear. NEVER try to retrieve anything from a bear.r

  r r

  r

• DO NOT feed, taunt, or tease the deer. The deer may appear to be harmless,r but they have killed people in the past! In fact, the only death due tor a wildlife attack that has occurred in Yosemite was caused by a (taunted)r deer.r
  r r

  r

• DO NOT feed the squirrels.r By feeding them, you support an unnaturally larger population of squirrels. The squirrels may have bubonic (black) plague.r If you come into contact with squirrels, YOU could get bubonic plague!r
  r r

  r Remember this: The best way to enjoy the wildlife is to watch it.r

  r r

  r

• DO NOT ride your bicycle on trails. You are allowed to ride your bicycler ONLY on roads and designated, paved bike paths. If it is not a well pavedr path with a yellow line down the middle, it is not a bike path. Roads andr bike paths are easy to recognize. And remember, pedestrians ALWAYS have ther right of way. So do not assume that because you are on a bike path, you canr ignore everyone else. Use a light if riding at night.r
  r r

  r

• Pets are not permitted on ANY trails within the park, only on pavedr surfaces (excluding the tram road in the Mariposa Grove).r
  r r

  r

• DO NOT collect or deface any of the natural or historical resources. Thisr includes rocks, berries, leaves, cones, pine needles, flowers,r arrowheads, or petroglyphs.r Do not remove anything from the park (except trash) unless you broughtr it into the park.r
  r r

  r

• DO NOT hunt. Hunting is illegal in Yosemite. You will be prosecutedr to the fullest extent allowed by law.r

r This list of rules is by no means a complete list, but some of the morer important and commonly violated rules.r

Part 2: Accomodations and Services

r
• Camping in Yosemiter
• Camping outside Yosemiter
• Accomodations in Yosemiter
• Accomodations outside Yosemiter
• Services in Yosemiter

r CAMPING IN YOSEMITEr

r Many of the campgrounds inside Yosemite National Park requirer reservations. Reservations may be made up to FIVE months in advance.r Starting the fifteenth day of each month, a month's worth of campingr start-dates is available. For example, on January 15th, it is possibler to make reservations with a start date between 15 June through 14 July.r

r The Wawona, Tuolumne Meadows, and Hetch Hetchy Backpackers campgroundsr have limited room for horse use.r

r Group campgrounds are available in Yosemite Valley, Hodgdon Meadow,r Tuolumne Meadows, Bridalveil Creek, Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy Backpackers.r Each group site can accomodate 30 people. You may make reservations forr Yosemite Valley, Hodgdon Meadow, and Tuolumne Meadows.r

r

r
• r 877-444-6777 (toll free)r
• r 1-301-722-1257 National Parks Reservation System. Campground reservations.r
• r http://www.recreation.gov/r for online reservations and information.r
• r http://www.yosemitesites.com/faq/r for unofficial information on campground availability (by dates and campground).r

r Rules for car camping in Yosemite:r

r
• Camping is permitted only in designated campsites.r
  r r

  r

• Yosemite is BEAR HABITAT. Federal law requires that you PROPERLY STOREr FOOD and other aromatic substances AT ALL TIMES! This includes ALL foodr (regardless of and including packaging), drinks, toothpaste, soap,r cosmetics, etc.r Proper storage means keeping ALL food, etc. in bear boxes at ALL TIMES. Allr campgrounds have bear boxes. Bears recognize ice-chests and many otherr types of food containers (including, for example, pizza boxes) and canr easily break into your car to get them. Keep all food you are not actuallyr handling stored in a CLOSED bear box. Your bear box MUST be closed at ALLr times!r NEVER leave food in your car overnight, under any circumstances.r
  r r

  r

• DO NOT FEED the animals! This includes squirrels, no matter how muchr they beg. Human food is unhealthy for wildlife and feeding of the wildlifer makes them reliant on humans for food.r
  r r

  r

• FIREWOOD COLLECTION IS PROHIBITED IN YOSEMITE VALLEY. You mayr purchase firewood at Housekeeping Camp, Curry Village, and Yosemite Village.r Outside Yosemite Valley, collection of DOWNED firewood is permitted.r Do not cut down trees or remove branches from trees.r
  r r

  r

• CAMPFIRES are permitted only in fire pits. During summer, campfires arer prohibited in Yosemite Valley except between 5pm and 10pm in order to reducer pollution. Before going to sleep or leaving the campsite, you must completelyr extinguish the fire.r
  r r

  r

• QUIET HOURS are from 10pm to 6am. Please show courtesy to your neighborsr and refrain from making unnecessary noise during these hours (and duringr the day, for that matter). Generator use is permitted sparingly in mostr campgrounds between 7am and 7pm, though their use is discouraged. Pleaser show courtesy to your neighbors and refrain from using a radio: it isr very irritating to the hundreds of other people in the campground.r
  r r

  r

• CAMPING LIMIT: There is a seven-day camping limit in Yosemite Valley andr Wawona between June and September, and a 30-day limit per year. Ther camping limit elsewhere is 14 days between June and September, and 30r days per year.r

r CAMPGROUNDS IN YOSEMITEr

r All car campgrounds in Yosemite have fire pits or grills, picnic tables,r and food storage lockers (“bear boxes”). No campground has hook-ups.r The maximum length for RVs is 40 feet. Many campgrounds haver campground hosts. These volunteers are available to answer your questionsr and help you solve any problems. For law-enforcement or emergencies, and ifr a bear is in the campground, call 911.r

r
• r r Official information on Yosemite campgrounds,r http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camping.htmr r
r r
• r r Campground Maps are atr http://www.yosemite.ca.us/maps/campground_maps.htmlr
r

r r Upper and Lower River campgrounds were closed permanentlyr after the 1997 flood.r Whether these lost campgrounds will ever be replaced is still up in the air.r r

r Campgrounds in Yosemiter

r
Campground   |Sites|RV|Dump Sta|Pets|Parking|Seasons|Reserve|Cost/Night|r
------------------------------------------------------------------------------r
YOSEMITE VALLEY - 1-209-372-8502 for information only -r
North Pines  |85   |y |no      |no  |yes    |Apr-Sep|yes    |$20/site  | [map]r
Lower Pines  |80   |y |no      |no  |yes    |Mar-Oct|yes    |$20/site  | [map]r
Upper Pines  |238  |y |yes     |yes |yes    |AllYear|yes    |$20/site  | [map]r
Camp 4       |35   |no|no      |no  |nearby |AllYear|walk-in|$5/person | [map]r
Backpackers  |25   |no|no      |no  |no     |May-Oct|walk-in|$5/personr
r
WAWONA AREAr
Wawona       |100  |y |no      |yes |yes    |AllYear|no     |$20/site  | [map]r
Bridalveil   |110  |y |no      |yes |yes    |Jun-Sep|no     |$14/site  | [map]r
r
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, TIOGA ROAD, and HETCH HETCHY AREAS - 1-209-372-4025 and 2123r
Hodgdon Mdw  |105  |y |no      |yes |yes    |AllYear|yes    |$20/site  | [map]r
Hetch Hetchy |19   |no|no      |no  |no     |Apr-Nov|no     |$5/person |r
Crane Flat   |166  |y |no      |yes |yes    |May-Oct|yes    |$14/site  | [map]r
Tamarack Flat|52   |no|no      |yes |yes    |Jun-Sep|no     |$10/site  | [map]r
White Wolf   |87   |y |no      |yes |yes    |Jul-Sep|no     |$14/site  | [map]r
YosemiteCreek|75   |no|no      |no  |no     |Jul-Sep|no     |$10/site  |r
PorcupineFlat|52   |y |no      |no  |no     |Jul-Sep|no     |$10/site  |r
Tuolumne Mdws|314  |y |yes     |yes |yes    |Jun-Sep|yes    |$14/site  | [map]r
                                    |no     |Jun-Sep|no     |$5/person |r
r
Campground   |Tap Water|Toilets|Showers Nearby|Laundry Nearby|Market Nearby|r
YOSEMITE VALLEYr
North Pines  |yes      |flush  |yes           |yes           |yes          |r
Upper Pines  |yes      |flush  |yes           |yes           |yes          |r
Lower Pines  |yes      |flush  |yes           |yes           |yes          |r
Camp 4       |yes      |flush  |yes           |yes           |yes          |r
Backpackers  |yes      |flush  |yes           |yes           |yes          |r
r
WAWONA AREAr
Wawona       |yes      |flush  |no            |no            |yes          |r
Bridalveil   |yes      |flush  |no            |no            |no           |r
r
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, TIOGA ROAD, and HETCH HETCHY AREAr
Hodgdon Mdw  |yes      |flush  |no            |no            |no           |r
Hetch Hetchy |yes      |flush  |no            |no            |no           |r
Crane Flat   |yes      |flush  |no            |no            |yes          |r
Tamarack Flat|no       |pit    |no            |no            |no           |r
White Wolf   |yes      |flush  |no            |no            |no           |r
Yosemite Cr  |no       |pit    |no            |no            |no           |r
PorcupineFlat|no       |pit    |no            |no            |no           |r
Tuolumne Mdws|yes      |flush  |yes           |no            |yes          |r

r Historical Campground Namesr

r The campgrounds were originally identified by numbers instead of names.r The numbers originate back to the 1800s when Yosemite Valley was administeredr by the State of California.r Camps 1 - 5 were established by the state and abandonded as theyr had no sanitation facilities and were alsor polluted from raw sewage upstream from the Sentinel Hotel.r Camps 6 - 20 were established by the U. S. government.r Numbers were used until the early 1970s when all campgroundsr were given names.r Here are the numbers:r

r
• Camp 1: El Capitan Meadow; abandoned soon after 1906r
• Camp 2: Bridalveil Meadow, for army troops; abandoned soon after 1906r
• Camp 3: West of Yosemite Village, south of Merced River;r abandoned soon after 1906r
• Camp 4: Sunnyside Walk-in Campground.r Previously known as Camp 20, a 1930-era winter campground.r Renumbered Camp 4 in 1941 and became famious as ar climber's campground of the 1960s.r The name was restored to "Camp 4" in 2003r
• Camp 5: Between Yosemite Lodge and Yosemite Creek;r abandonded soon after 1906 (Later Camp Lost Arrow?)r
• Camp 6: "Camp Tresidder."r Former employee camp south of Yosemite Village.r Closed after 1997 flood; now a day use parking lot.r
• Camp 7: Former Lower River Campground; closed after 1997 floodr
• Camp 8: Later Kennyville (tent cabins).r Located at present Ahwahnee Hotel before hotel was builtr in 1926.r
• Camp 9: "Organization Camp."r Former Valley Group Camp east of the backpacker's campgroundr next to and including Royal Arch Meadow; now naturalizedr
• Camp 10: near Iron Spring on Tenaya Creek, south of old Mirror Lake Road;r abandonded when Mirror Lake Road aligned over itr
• Camp 11: Upper Pines Campgroundr
• Camp 12: North Pines Campgroundr
• Camp 14: Lower Pines Campgroundr
• Camp 15: Former Upper River Campground; closed after 1997 floodr
• Camp 16: Housekeeping Camp.r
• Camp 17: "Camp Tecoya."r Now Tecoya concessionnaire residential area east ofr Yosemite Villager
• Camp 18: Former campground at current Yosemite Village post officer and photo studio.r
• Camp 19: Former Government employee campground betweenr Sentinel Bridge and Housekeeping Camp;r closed between 1968-1979.r
• Camp 20: Former campground at Church Bowlr between Yosemite Village and Ahwahnee hotel.r Another Camp 20 was a 1930-era winter campgroundr now known as Camp 4.r

r CAMPING OUTSIDE YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARKr

r Most of Yosemite National Park is surrounded by land controlled by ther Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service. The US Forestr Service operates campgrounds in the three national forests surroundingr Yosemite. Camping is allowed in many places on BLM and USFS land wherer campgrounds do not exist. For more information about camping call:r

r

r
• r INF: Inyo NF, Lee Vining: 619-647-3000r
• r SNF-M: Sierra NF, Mariposa: 209-966-3638r
• r SNF-O: Sierra NF, Oakhurst: 559-683-4665r
• r SNF-G: Stanislaus NF, Groveland: 209-962-7825r
• r BLM: Bureau of Land Management, Mariposa: 209-966-3192r
• r Mono: Mono County Parks and Recreation: 619-932-5248r

r Campgrounds Outside Yosemiter r Note: the rates are out-dated; please contact the campground operator directly.r r

r
Highway 140r
r
Campground     | Water | Sites |  RV  |Hookup  |  Fee  |Season | Reserve/Infor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------r
KOA		showers	80	34 ft.	yes	$25	allyear	209-966-2201r
McCabe Flat	river	6	27 ft.	no	free	allyear	No/BLM-Mr
Willow Placer	river	4	27 ft.	no	free	allyear	No/BLM-Mr
Railroad Flat	river	7	27 ft.	no	free	allyear	No/BLM-Mr
r
Highway 120 West (from Yosemite Valley)r
r
Campground     | Water | Sites |  RV  |Hookup  |  Fee  |Season | Reserve/Infor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------r
Cherry Valley	tap	46	22 ft.	no	$9-16	May-Nov	No/SNF-Gr
Sweetwater	tap	13	22 ft.	no	$9	Apr-Nov	No/SNF-Gr
Lost Claim	pump	10	22 ft.	no	$7	May-Sep	No/SNF-Gr
The Pines	tap	12	22 ft.	no	$9	May-Nov	No/SNF-Gr
Lumsden		river	10	no	no	free	Apr-Oct	No/SNF-Gr
Southfork	river	8	no	no	free	Apr-Oct No/SNF-Gr
Lumsden Br.	river	10	no	no	free	Apr-Oct	No/SNF-Gr
Moccasin Pt.	showers	90	60 ft.	yes	$13-17	allyear	209-852-2396r
Yosemite Lakes	showers	51	nolimit	yes	$18	allyear	209-962-0110r
Pine Mt. Lake	showers	49	35 ft.	yes	$12-18	allyear	209-962-8625r
Yos. Pines RV	showers	187	75 ft.	yes	$17-25	allyear	209-962-7690r
r
Highway 41r
r
Campground     | Water | Sites |  RV  |Hookup  |  Fee  |Season | Reserve/Infor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------r
Summerdale	tap	30	35 ft.	no	$12	May-Oct	no/SNF-Or
Big Sandy	stream	14	35 ft.	no	$9	Jun-Oct	no/SNF-Or
Little Sandy	stream	10	26 ft.	no	free	Jun-Oct	no/SNF-Or
Nelder Grove	stream	7	25 ft.	no	free	Jun-Oct	no/SNF-Or
Bass Lake area	tap	258	35 ft.	no	$15	allyear	800-280-2267r
Hi-Sierra RV	tap	40	40	yes	$18-28$	allyear	559-683-7662r
r
Highway 120 East (from Yosemite Valley)r
r
Campground     | Water | Sites |  RV  |Hookup  |  Fee  |Season | Reserve/Infor
------------------------------------------------------------------------------r
Tioga Lake	tap	13	30 ft.	no	$8	Jun-Oct	no/INFr
Junction	stream	13	30 ft.	no	free	Jun-Oct	no/INFr
Ellery Lake	tap	12	30 ft.	no	$8	Jun-Oct	no/INFr
Saddlebag Lake	tap	20	30 ft.	no	$8	Jun-Oct	no/INFr
Sawmill		stream	12	no	no	free	Jun-Oct	no/INFr
Big Bend	tap	17	30 ft.	no	$8	May-Oct	no/INFr
Aspen Grove	stream	50	40 ft.	no	$5	Apr-Oct	no/Monor
Lee Vining Cr.	stream	100	40 ft.	no	$5	Apr-Oct	no/Monor
Cattle Guard	stream	16	30 ft.	no	$5	Apr-Oct	no/Monor

r

r ACCOMODATIONS IN YOSEMITEr

r Hotel-style accomodations in Yosemite National Parkr

r Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Yosemite (DNC)r provides hotel-style accomodationsr within Yosemite National Park.r For reservations in Yosemite, call DNC atr 801-559-5000,r writer 6771 N Palm Ave.r Fresno, CA 93704,r or visit on the web atr http://www.yosemitepark.com/r

r Accomodations within Yosemite range from tent-cabins in Curry Village tor luxury hotel suites at the Ahwahnee Hotel. You may make reservations upr to 366 days in advance, though it is generally possible to get somer accomodations several months in advance without much difficulty,r especially in winter. If you can't get reservations for the date(s) your want, you can try calling back a little later: cancellations are frequent.r Alternatively, you can look atr r http://www.yosemite.ca.us/lodging.htmlr and make reservations near the park.r r

r "The Redwoods"r provides cabin-style lodging with kitchens.r They are locatedr in the southern end of the park (in Wawonar near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia trees)r please seer r http://www.yosemite.ca.us/lodging.html#parkr r r

r r NOTE: If you have trouble getting reservations within Yosemite, try ther motels and hotels outside Yosemite.r Rooms may be reserved 1 year + 1 day in advance.r Lodging is easer to reserve and often lower-priced off-seasonr (mid-Sept. to Memorial Day, Sept to May).r You will find that many of themr are lower-priced and nicer than accomodations within Yosemite . . .r and most of all, easier to reserve!r r

r

r
• Be sure to remove ALL food and other items with a scent from your vehicle.r
• Do not store food and related items in a tent cabin-- use a bear box!r

r Lodging in Yosemiter

r
Accomodation        |   Style   | Season | Cost (2004)  |    Notes        |r
---------------------------------------------------------------------------r
YOSEMITE VALLEYr
Curry Village       |tent cabins|all year| $75-80/night |public bathrooms |r
Curry Village       |cabins     |all year| $80/night    |public bathrooms |r
Curry Village       |cabins     |all year| $88/night    |                 |r
Housekeeping Camp   |tent cabins|Spr-Fall| $67/night    |public bathrooms |r
Yosemite Lodge      |hotel room |all year| $97-161/night|                 |r
Ahwahnee Hotel      |luxuryhotel|all year| $373-822/night|                |r
Ahwahnee Hotel      |cottage    |all year| $449/night   |                 |r
r
TUOLUMNE MEADOWSr
Tuolumne Mdws Lodge |tent cabins|Jun-Sep | $71/night    |public bathrooms |r
r
YOSEMITE BACKCOUNTRY -- no roads --r
High Sierra Camps   |tent cabins|Jun-Sep | $112/night   |public bathrooms |r
r
WHITE WOLFr
White Wolf Lodge    |tent cabins|Jun-Sep | $67/night    |public bathrooms |r
White Wolf Lodge    |cabins     |Jun-Sep | $84/night    |                 |r
r
WAWONAr
Wawona Hotel        |hotel      |All year| $115/night   |public bathrooms |r
Wawona Hotel        |hotel      |All year| $170/night   |                 |r

r ACCOMODATIONS OUTSIDE YOSEMITEr r

r Please seer r http://www.yosemite.ca.us/lodging.htmlr for information about hotels, motels, and cabins outside Yosemite Nationalr Park.r You can also make reservations there.r r r r

r SERVICES IN YOSEMITEr r

r

r
Service            |Location                                 |Seasonr
r
Groceries          |Yosemite Village (Yosemite Valley)       |all yearr
                   |Curry Village (Yosemite Valley)          |all yearr
                   |Housekeeping Camp (Yosemite Valley)      |spring-fallr
                   |Crane Flat (Tioga/Big Oak Flat Rd jctn)  |all yearr
                   |Tuolumne Meadows                         |summerr
                   |White Wolf (along Tioga Road)            |summerr
                   |Wawona                                   |all yearr
r
Sporting Goods     |Yosemite Village (Yosemite Valley)       |summerr
                   |Curry Village (Yosemite Valley)          |all yearr
                   |Tuolumne Meadows                         |summerr
r
Gas Stations       |Wawona                                   |all yearr
                   |Crane Flat                               |all yearr
                   |Tuolumne Meadows                         |summerr
                   |Yosemite Lodge (Yosemite Valley) CLOSED/REMOVEDr
r
Post Office        |Yosemite Village (Yosemite Valley)       |all yearr
                   |Tuolumne Meadows                         |summerr
                   |Wawona                                   |all yearr
                   |Curry Village (Yosemite Valley)          |CLOSEDr
r
Showers ($2)       |Curry Village (Yosemite Valley)          |all yearr
                   |Housekeeping Camp                        |summerr
r
Laundromat         |Housekeeping Camp                        |summerr
r
Medical and Dental |Yosemite Village (towards the Ahwahnee)  |all yearr

r RESTAURANTS IN YOSEMITEr

r r Not all eating facilities are open year-round.r r

r

r
Restaurant       |Description                  |Bkfst|Lnch|Dinner|Reservationsr
YOSEMITE VALLEYr
        Yosemite Village	(seating available nearby)r
Degnan's Deli    |sandwiches, deli  take-out   |no   |yes |yes   |nor
Degnan's Pizza   |pizza, ice cream  take-out   |no   |yes |yes   |nor
Degnan's Pasta Pl|pasta  buffet     sit-down   |no   |yes |yes   |nor
Village Grill    |fast food         take-out   |yes  |yes |yes   |nor
r
        Yosemite Lodger
Cafeteria        |full meals        sit-down   |yes  |yes |yes   |nor
Garden Terrace   |buffet            sit-down   |yes  |no  |yes   |nor
Mtn. Room Rest   |family restaurant sit-down   |no   |no  |yes   |nor
r
        Ahwahnee Hotelr
Ahwahnee         |formal dinners, Sunday brunch|yes  |yes |yes   |209-372-1489r
                                                                  dinner onlyr
        Curry Village (summer only)   (seating available nearby)r
Cafeteria        |full meals        sit-down   |yes  |yes |yes   |nor
Hamburger Stand  |fast food         take-out   |yes  |yes |yes   |nor
Terrace Pizza    |pizza             take-out   |no   |yes |yes   |nor
r
There are snack shops at Happy Isles (summer), Glacier Point (summer),r
Yosemite Lodge Pool (summer), and Ahwahnee Hotel (afternoons).r
r
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS (summer only)r
The Grill        |fast food         take-out   |yes  |yes |yes   |nor
TM Lodge         |family            sit-down   |yes  |no  |yes   |209-372-1313r
                                                                  dinner onlyr
r
WHITE WOLF (summer only)r
White Wolf Lodge |family            sit-down   |yes  |no  |yes   |209-372-1316r
                                                                  dinner onlyr
WAWONA (April-October; weekends/holidays rest of year)r
Wawona Hotel     |family            sit-down   |yes  |yes |yes   |209-372-6556r
                                                                  dinner onlyr
BADGER PASS (November-March)r
Badger Pass	|fast food/pizza    sit-down   |     |yes |yes   |nor

Part 3: What to Do

r
• What to Do: hiking and backpacking r
• What to Do: visitor centers and museumsr
• What to Do: interpretive activitiesr
• What to Do: Biking, River activities, Climbing, Toursr
• Yosemite in winterr

r WHAT TO DO: Hiking and Backpackingr

r Since some of the most frequently-asked questions deal with what hikes tor do, this section will be the most detailed. Without question, the bestr reference for hiking and backpacking in Yosemite is:r

r Schaffer, Jeffrey P., 1999,r r Yosemite National Park: A Natural History Guider To Yosemite and Its Trails.r Berkeley, Wilderness press, 274 p.r (includes updated, plasticized topographic map of Yosemite Nationalr Park and Vicinity, scale: 1:125,000. Cost of book in 2002: $18.95,r $13.27 on Amazon)r r

r This and other hiking and backpacking books are atr http://www.yosemite.ca.us/bookstore/r r r

r HIKING IN YOSEMITEr

r A few things to keep in mind (in addition to the rules in ther Rulesr section):r

r
• Your safety is YOUR responsibility. Before attempting any hike with whichr you are unfamiliar, assess your abilities and limits. If you are uncertain,r ask a ranger. Check the weather conditions the day of your hike. You mustr be prepared for storms in ANY month. Summer thunderstorms occurr often in Yosemite (in addition, of course, to winter storms, which canr occur from October through May). Carry plenty of food and water. Stay onr the trail. Use extreme caution in and around streams: injuries and deathsr due to accidents related to streams occur every year. Pay attention tor all trail signs, and heed the warnings. You may be charged for the costr of search and rescue operations if you do something particularly stupid.r
• If you encounter horses or mules on the trail, move to the UPHILL sider of the trail and allow the animals to pass. DO NOT make any sudden movesr or loud noises. DO NOT attempt to touch or pet the animals.r

r Popular Yosemite Valley Hikesr

r Since most people ask about what hikes to do in Yosemite Valley, I willr write a bit about these hikes. However, there are many, many hikes to dor elsewhere in Yosemite. These include a few hikes in the Wawona area,r along the Glacier Point Road, the Hetch Hetchy area, through the Mariposa,r Tuolumne, and Merced Groves; and a variety of hikes along ther Tioga Road, especially a great many in the Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Passr areas. Short descriptions of some of these hikes may be added to thisr FAQ, at my leisure.r

r My trail descriptions are not a substitute for a topographic map or for ar hiking guide to Yosemite. ALL of the trails going out of Yosemite Valleyr gain elevation quickly, so know how to interpret a topographic map so your can see for yourself what the elevation gain will be like. I includedr these trail descriptions only to provide a sense of what the hike involves.r You must judge for yourself whether or not any of these hikes arer appropriate for you. To do any of these hikes, you should be in goodr shape and should think twice if you have heart or respiratory problems.r r

r MIST TRAIL (Happy Isles to Nevada Fall) and the trail to HALF DOMEr

r Vernal Fall Bridge (All year; but it may be icy in winter)r
r The most popular hike in Yosemite is the hike to the Vernal Fall Bridge.r This hike begins at Happy Isles. The hike to the bridge and back to Happyr Isles is only a few miles, but it is is quite strenuous. If you want tor hike to the bridge, I recommend that you continue a few more minutes tor the place marked "Vernal Fall view." This view is at Lady Franklin Rock,r and has a much better view of Vernal Fall than you get from the bridge.r r

r Top of Vernal Fall (April-October; closed in winter, due to ice)r
r Many people choose to continue up all the way to the top of Vernal Fall. Ther round trip distance for this hike is about 3 miles (5 km) and the elevationr gain is about 1,000 ft (330 m). This is a short hike, but even more strenuousr overall than the hike just to the bridge. During late spring and early summer,r you will get drenched by the spray of the waterfall (which you will lookr forward to, since you will be hot). The latter part of the trail consists ofr granitic blocks stacked in such a way as to resemble a crude staircase. Ar staircase with very steep steps. This trail should be ascended and, inr particular, descended with great caution.r r

r Top of Nevada Fall (May-October)r
r Some people continue all the way to the top of Nevada Fall. The roundr trip distance of this hike (from Happy Isles) is about 5 mi (8 km),r though the actual distance varies depending upon the trail you take.r After you pass Vernal Fall, the trail is mostly flat for a distance, afterr which you begin a long ascent of switchbacks comprised of another graniticr staircase (with a view of Nevada Fall). Before you reach the graniticr staircase, you will pass the Emerald Pool and Silver Apron. You willr probably notice people playing in the water. DO NOT BE TEMPTED! Thisr area has a very high occurrence of injuries and deaths. It is now illegalr to enter the water in this area: you will be fined and charged for ther rescue. There are much safer areas to play in the river. After you reachr the top of Nevada Fall, be sure to climb down to the overlook. Ir recommend that you return to Happy Isles via the John Muir Trail, since itr is much safer and easier to descend (not to mention that it's easier onr your knees). This trail starts south of the river (other side of ther bridge of the trail from which you ascended). This trail consists mostlyr of switchbacks. Be sure to continue all the way to the end of the trailr if you want to avoid the Mist Trail. Be sure, also, to stop at Clarkr Point, which has a nice view of Vernal and Nevada Falls.r A winter route is generally open year-round and uses the lower portion ofr the John Muir trail and the upper portion of the Mist Trail.r r

r Half Dome (June-September)r
r I'd recommend starting this hike as early asr you possibly can, even if it's just as the sun is rising (~6 am), or evenr before sunrise. Don't start too late... Starting early has severalr advantages: 1) you reduce the likelyhood of getting killed byr thunderstorms, 2) you are more likely to finish your hike before it getsr dark, 3) you do the hard hiking in the morning, when it isn't as hot, andr 4) you get to Half Dome before everyone else (hopefully). During mid- tor late-afternoon there is literally a traffic jam on the cables. It canr be quite scary, especially for a first-timer. If, when you arrive at ther base of Half Dome, there are thunderclouds, DO NOT ASCEND Half Dome!r People are killed by lightening strikes on top of Half Dome! The lengthr of the hike is about 15 miles. You should undertake this hike only ifr you are in good physical condition. If you never, or rarely,r exercise it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to finish thisr hike. A summary of the trail: read the above descriptions of the hikes upr to Vernal and Nevada Falls. Eventually, you reach the top of Nevada Fall,r and continue to the left past the new outhouses into Little Yosemiter Valley. This part of the hike is flat. Eventually, you begin the longr ascent to the base of Half Dome (make sure you don't miss the junction tor Half Dome- turn left at the junction), and finally you reach the base ofr the cables. At the bottom is a box containing used work gloves (Ir recommend bringing your own)- the gloves help some people (bother others)r on the cables.r r

r YOSEMITE FALLS (All year, depending on conditions)r

r Another popular trail is the one to the top of Yosemite Falls. This hiker is about 6.8 mi (10.9 km) round trip, elevation gain is nearly 3,000 ftr (900 m). I recommend starting this hike early because the most difficultr part of the hike (the last two-thirds of it) is completely unshaded, andr in summer can be quite hot. This hike is a strenuous hike. If you don'tr feel up to hiking all the way to the top, a good place to hike to is tor Columbia Rock, only about 2 miles round trip. If you make it to Columbiar Rock, I recommend that you continue up a few more steep switchbacks, downr a few more, and around a corner to a view of Upper Yosemite Fall. Ther trailhead is behind the Sunnyside Walk-in Campground, just north of ther Yosemite Lodge and next to the Chevron Station. (The trailhead, thoughr well marked, can be difficult to find, so if you can't find it, ask.) Ther first part of the trail consists of short switchbacks through a wellr shaded oak forest. Eventually you will reach Columbia Rock, a railed-inr viewpoint with one of the best views of Yosemite Valley. Just abover Columbia Rock are three steep gravelly switchbacks, after which your descend a few and come upon a view of Upper Yosemite Fall. After catchingr your breath on a relatively flat part of the trail, you begin to ascend ar series of switchbacks that may seem to go on for ever. Most of theser switchbacks are completely unshaded. Finally, you'll reach to top of ther trail. Be sure to (*carefully*) descend to the Yosemite Falls overlook.r During times of low flow, you are likely to see people playing in Yosemiter Creek, if you decide to join them, use extreme caution as the rocks arer slippery (even when not wet), and almost every year people have the fatalr experience of falling over Upper Yosemite Fall. If you want an even betterr view of Yosemite Valley, continue the extra mile (1.6 km) east to Yosemiter Point.r r

r GLACIER POINT (May-October)r

r Most of the people who get to Glacier Point do it the easy way: they drive.r For a much more fulfilling experience, hike to it. My favorite way to dor this is to start early and ascend the Four Mile Trail and to descend viar the Panorama Trail to Happy Isles.r The hike to Glacier Point via the Four Mile Trail is actually 4.6 mi (7.4 km).r The hike from Glacier Point to Happy Isles via the Panorama and John Muirr Trails is 9.1 mi (14.5 km). (You can also descend via the Mist Trail,r which will make the distance a little less.) This hike is strenuous. Ifr you have trouble ascending the Four Mile Trail, I recommend returning downr it, instead of taking the Panorama Trail.r The Four Mile Trail consists almost completely of switchbacks (many ofr which are shaded). When it's time to leave, you can return via the Four Miler Trail, or you can descend via the Panorama Trail. From the Panorama Trail,r you get various, and oft times unfamiliar, views of Half Dome, Cloudsr Rest, Nevada and Vernal Falls, and many other peaks. You also get ther best (and basically, only) view of Illilouette Fall-- a treat.r You'll descend the Panorama Trail via switchbacks until you reachr Illilouette Creek (if you reach Illilouette Creek and you haven't seen ther waterfall, return up the trail a short distance to the viewpoint). Afterr you pass Illilouette Creek (use extreme caution around the stream), your will ascend sunny switchbacks. Eventually you will begin a descent in ar well shaded portion of the trail and reach the top of Nevada Fall. Fromr here you can choose to descend via the John Muir Trail or via the Mistr Trail (for descriptions of both, read the "Mist Trail" section above).r r

r SENTINEL DOME and TAFT POINT (June-October)r

r These are two relatively easy and very rewarding short hikes. To reachr the trailhead, drive 13.2 mi (21.2 km) on the Glacier Point Road from itsr junction with the Wawona Road (or, if driving back towards the Wawona Roadr from Glacier Point, 2.3 mi (3.7 km)) to the signed parking area on ther north side of the road. Both trails start at this trailhead and both arer approximately 2 mi (3.2 km) round trip. Unlike many trails in Yosemite,r these are also relatively flat. The Sentinel Dome trail has a bit ofr steep climbing just before you reach Sentinel Dome, and the Taft Pointr trail descends a little bit right before Taft Point. You may seer wildflowers (especially along the Taft Point Trail) and though the viewsr rival that from Glacier Point, you will see relatively few people.r r

r Popular Wawona-Area Hikesr r

r CHILNUALNA FALLS (April-October)r

r This is the only waterfall in the Wawona area, but it's quite differentr than those found in Yosemite Valley in that it's really a series ofr cascades. In order to see the largest of these, it is necessary to hike.r The signed trailhead is on the Chilnualna Falls Road in Wawona. The hiker is 4.1 mi (6.6 km) one way and gains about 2,000 ft (600 m). It is ar fairly pleasant hike with nice views. Late in the summer, many peopler enjoy swimming near the top (and bottom)... do this at your own risk.r

r MARIPOSA GROVE (May-October)r

r The Mariposa Grove contains the largest Giant Sequoias in Yosemite and isr the only grove containing a living tunnel tree. The trailhead is in ther upper end of the Mariposa Grove parking lot (consider taking the shuttler during the summer). Most people walk 0.8 mi (1.3 km) one way to ther Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree. This takes about 45 minutesr to an hour (round trip). However, if you have a few hours, continue upr the trail (straight through the tunnel tree) to the Upper Portion of ther Mariposa Grove. There are a few ways to go (see a map), but whichever wayr you go you'll notice few Giant Sequoias past the Lower Grove due to ther steep, dry slopes. Once you reach the Upper Grove, you'll see manyr Sequoias (of all ages). You'll also notice that the forest is more open.r The presence of young Sequoias (many more than in the Lower Grove) and ther openness of the forest is a result of the return of fire to the Upperr Grove, which is a natural part of the ecosystem. The Upper Grove has ar small museum, bathrooms, and a water fountain, in addition to some famousr Sequoias, including the Fallen Wawona Tunnel Treer (see the appendix), ther Telescope Tree, and the Galen Clark Tree. Allow about 3 hours to returnr to the trailhead.r r r

r BACKPACKING IN YOSEMITEr

r Rules for backpackers:r

r
• wilderness permits are required for all overnight stays in Yosemiter backcountryr
r
• the information you receive with your wilderness permit will containr restrictions on its use: read this and follow itr
r
• the NPS STRONGLY encourages backpackers to use bear-resistant foodr storage canisters ("bear savers") (see below)r
r
• proper food storage is required by federal lawr
r
• DO NOT LEAVE ANY FOOD IN YOUR CAR!r
r
• campfires and wood gathering are prohibited above 9600 feet; wherer campfires are permitted, you must only use existing campfire ringsr (don't make new rings)r
r
• pack out all of your waster
r

r Wilderness permits are now available from the Yosemite Association.r About 50% of the trailhead's quota is reserved in advance ($3 fee), andr the other 50% is available on a first come, first served basis. Reservedr permits are available 24 weeks (though no less than 2 days) in advance.r For recorded permit information, call 209-372-0310; for permitr reservations, call 209-372-0740 between 8am and 5pm Pacific Time.r

r PROPER FOOD STORAGE is required.r You MUST use a bear-proof bear canister!r You may rent a bear canister for $3/per TRIP (not per day)r from any permit station in the park (pick it up when you get your permit!)r Bear boxes are available at all High Sierra Camps and at the campground inr Little Yosemite Valley.r

r Popular backpacks are in the Tuolumne Meadows area, in the Tenayar Lake/Clouds Rest area, and around Little Yosemite Valley. Permits forr these areas are most difficult to obtain. There are many areas inr Yosemite's backcountry that equal the beauty of the popular places, but arer much more remote, and therefore less crowded and easier to obtainr permits for.r

r

r WHAT TO DO: Visitor Centers and Museumsr

r Yosemite Valleyr

r The main visitor center in Yosemite is located in Yosemite Village.r The Valley Visitor Center has various natural history exhibits and ther Yosemite Bookstore. Rangers or volunteers are on hand to answer anyr questions you may have.r

r Also in Yosemite Village is the Yosemite Museum, which includes an artr gallery (summer), and the Indian Cultural Museum. Behind ther museum is ar reconstructed Miwok Indian Village.r

r Ther LeConte Memorialr is a small structure near Housekeeping Camp staffed byr Sierra Club volunteers. Various presentations occur during summer.r

r The Happy Isles Nature Center, located near the end of the John Muir Trailr at Happy Isles, houses a variety of excellent natural history exhibits.r Great for kids (and adults). There is a small Yosemite Bookstore here.r Open May-September.r

r Tuolumne Meadowsr

r The Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center offers a small, but impressive,r collection of preserved plants and animals. Rangers are available forr questions. There is a small Yosemite Bookstore here. Open summer.r

r Parsons Lodge, built in 1915 by the Sierra Club, has a focus on humanr history in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Open summer.r

r Wawona and The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoiasr

r Ther Pioneer Yosemite History Centerr has relocated historic buildings and horser drawn wagons. During summer, volunteers portray pioneers and occupy ther historic buildings. Wagon rides are offered (for a small fee) that taker visitors across the historic covered bridge. During the rest of the year,r a self-guided tour is available. There is a small Yosemiter Bookstore here (during summer and early fall).r

r The Mariposa Grove Museum is located in a small log cabin in the Mariposar Grove and has various exhibits interpreting the natural history of ther giant sequoia, and a Yosemite Bookstore. Open summer to early fall.r

r

r WHAT TO DO: Interpretive Activitiesr

r The Park Service, concessionnaire (DNC),r and other organizations offer interpretive activitiesr year-round in Yosemite. These activities include campfire talks,r ranger walks emphasizing various subjects, and slide shows. The Yosemiter Theater in Yosemite Village offers live stage-theater and film programs,r including Lee Stetson's famous portrayals of John Muir. Tickets may ber bought in advance to ensure seating (available at the Valley Visitorr Center, or at the Theater's door, if seating is available).r For complete information and schedules, look in the Yosemite Guide.r

r During the summer, interpretive walks and talks are offered in Yosemiter Valley, at Glacier Point, Wawona, Mariposa Grove, Crane Flat and Big Oakr Flat, White Wolf, and Tuolumne Meadows. During winter, activities arer offered in Yosemite Valley and Badger Pass Ski Area. Schedules are postedr and are published in the Yosemite Guide.r

r Ther Yosemite Associationr offers a variety of natural history and otherr outdoors seminars throughout the year. Most of the seminars involve shortr hikes or backpacks. A free catalog describing the seminars, theirr requirements, and the costs is available from the Yosemite Association.r For information call 209-379-2321.r

r Ther Yosemite Instituter offers excellent week-long outdoor education programs,r mostly for junior high school and high school classes. For morer information, call 209-372-4441.r

r Ther National Park Service Branch of Educationr offers junior rangerr programs (July through early September) and school programs.r For more information, call 209-375-9505.r

r

r WHAT TO DO: Biking, River activities, Climbing, Toursr

r For information on winter activities, see the winter section of this FAQ.r

r Bicycles can be rented from Curry Village during the summer and Yosemiter Lodge year round (weather permitting). Bicycles, whether rented or yourr own, may only be ridden on roads and designated paved bike paths (ar designated bike path has a yellow stripe down the middle).r Bicycles are NEVER allowed on poorly paved or unpaved trails. Pedestriansr always have the right of way: keep in mind that bike paths are not reservedr only for bicyclists, but that pedestrians frequently use them. Please user appropriate lighting when riding bicycles at night.r

r The rivers of Yosemite offer many recreational activities. During earlyr summer, many people enjoy calm-water rafting in eastern Yosemite Valley. Ther rivers may be off-limits when the water level is too high and rafting mayr be prohibited when discharge is too low. ALL rafters are required to haver life preservers. Catch-and-release fishing for native rainbow trout isr allowed, but a valid California fishing license is required for adults.r Swimming is allowed when the river's discharge is not too high (usually byr mid or late summer). Try to avoid walking and climbing on the riverbanks,r as this results in a large amount of bank erosion. The best place tor enter or exit the river is at sand bars, not at steep banks. DO NOT ENTERr OR EXIT THE RIVER via steep banks! Please stay out of closed areas alongr the river.r

r During winter, Badger Pass ski area is open for downhill andr cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing (no sledding).r Rentals are available at Badger Pass. Most of the park is open forr cross-country skiing during winter (wilderness permit is required forr overnight trips), though only Badger Pass/Glacier Point, Crane Flat, andr the Mariposa Grove areas have marked trails.r

r Yosemite has downhill and cross-country ski schools, for more information,r call:r Cross-country ski school: 209-372-1244r Downhill ski school: 209-372-1000r

r Curry Village has an ice-rink (winter only). Rental skates are available.r

r Yosemite is world-renowned for its rock climbing opportunities. Climbsr within the park range from grade I through grade VI. Backcountry permitsr are required for overnight climbs. The Yosemite Mountaineering Schoolr offers instruction in rock climbing. For more information, callr 209-372-8344.r

r Horse, mule, burro, and llama riding are permitted in the park. Ther Yosemite Stables offers mule rides in Yosemite Valley and Wawona in springr through fall, and in Tuolumne Meadows in summer. Horses and other suchr animals are not permitted in the Mariposa Grove (except on the Outer Loopr Trail) and on steep trails. Ask about restrictions at the nearest visitorr center.r

r The concessionnaire (DNC) offers,r for a fee, various sightseeing tours in different parts of ther park. Tours are offered in Yosemite Valley (year round), Mariposar Grove (spring-fall), Tioga Road/Tuolumne Meadows (summer), and Glacierr Point (summer-fall). For more information, call 209-372-1240.r

r

r YOSEMITE IN WINTERr

r Winter Drivingr

r Snow chains may be required on any park road AT ANY TIME. Winter stormsr can occur any time from September through May. Therefore, you MUST carryr snow chains that fit on the tires of the vehicle you're driving and knowr how to use them between November 1st and March 31st. After winter storms,r roads that are normally open may be closed temporarily.r

r For up-to-dater recorded road and weather information in Yosemite, call 209-372-0200 orr go to http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/do10map.htm andr http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/do9map.htmr for road information for roads leading into Yosemite (and sometimes inr Yosemite). Visit http://www.nps.gov/yose/roads.htmr for road information inside Yosemite;r call 209-372-0200 for the most current conditions.r

r Skiing and Ice-skatingr

r During winter, Badger Pass ski area is open for downhill skiing andr cross-country skiing (no sledding). Most of the park is open forr cross-country skiing during winter (wilderness permit is required forr overnight trips), though only Badger Pass, Crane Flat, and the Mariposar Grove areas have marked trails.r

r Yosemite has downhill and cross-country ski schools, for more information,r call:r Cross-country ski school: 209-372-1244,r Downhill ski school: 209-372-1000r

r Curry Village has an ice-rink. Rental skates are available.r

r River Activitiesr

r Water temperatures in streams are near or at freezing during winter.r Thin ice may exist. Therefore, extreme caution should be exercised nearr rivers.r

r Hypothermiar

r Even with relatively warm daytime temperatures around 50°F (10°C) inr Yosemite Valley, it is easy to become affected by hypothermia. To avoidr hypothermia, keep yourself and your clothes dry. Physical exhaustion andr lack of food increase your susceptibility to hypothermia. Syntheticr fabrics, silk, or wool should be worn in place of cotton fabrics.r Additionally, do not exercise to the point of exhaustion and be sure tor eat plenty of food (especially carbohydrates) and drink plenty of water.r Be familiar with the symptoms and treatments for hypothermia.r Hypothermia is a potentially fatal injury.r

Part 4: Resources

r
• Where to more get information about Yosemiter
• Books about Yosemiter
• Online Books about Yosemiter
• Appendix: Firefall, tunnel trees, Mirror Lake,r 1997 flood, Yosemite Valley Plan (the "real" FAQs)r
• Acknowledgementsr

r WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOSEMITEr

r For general park information:r
r Yosemite Public Information,r PO Box Box 577,r Yosemite, CA 95389r

r http://www.nps.gov/yose/r

r The National Park Service Interpretation Division also has a usefulr Yosemite FAQ.r

r Phone numbers:r
r 209-372-0200 (recording for all sorts of information, can also connect to ar live person Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)r
r 209-372-0740 (wilderness permit reservations)r
r 209-372-1000 ( DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite: lodging and ski information)r

r Support organizationsr

r Yosemite Association,r PO Box 545,r Yosemite National Park, CA 95389r

r 209-372-2646r http://www.yosemite.org/r

r YA is the local cooperating association for Yosemite National Park. As ar non-profit organization, it donates most of its profits to park servicer education, interpretive, and research activities in Yosemite.r YA operates the Yosemite Bookstores in the Yosemite visitor centers, ther Ostrander Ski Hut, Wilderness Permit reservations, and Yosemite Fieldr Seminars, among other things.r Formerly the Yosemite Natural History Association.r For membership and other information, call or write.r

r Yosemite Fund,r PO Box 637,r Yosemite National Park, CA 95389r

r 415-434-1782r http://www.yosemitefund.org/r

r Established by the Yosemite Association, YF, now a separate organization,r funds many projects in Yosemite, including meadow restoration projects andr the placing of bear boxes in Yosemite campgrounds.r

r Yosemite Institute,r PO Box 487,r Yosemite National Park, CA 95389r

r 209-379-9511r http://www.yni.org/yi/r

r The Yosemite Institute, YI, provides various environmental educationalr programs, mostly for junior high and high school children.r

r Accomodationsr

r For hotel-style accomodations in Yosemite:r DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite,r 5410 East Home Avenue,r Fresno, CA 93727,r 559-253-5635,r http://www.yosemitepark.com/r (Formerly the Yosemite Park and Curry Company.)r

r For hotel-style accomodations outside of Yosemite,r please seer r http://www.yosemite.ca.us/lodging.htmlr

r For campground reservations in Yosemite:r

r National Park Reservation System [Biospherics]r PO Box 1600,r Cumberland, MD 21502r

r
• 1-800-436-7275 (US and Canada)r
• 1-301-722-1257 (outside US and Canada)r
• 1-888-530-9797 (US and Canda: TTY ONLY)r
• http://reservations.nps.gov/r

r For information on campgrounds outside Yosemite:r

r

r
• US Forest Service (USFS)r
  r
  • r Highway 120 West,r Groveland Ranger Station (Stanislaus NF),r 209-962-7825r
  • r Highway 120 East,r Mono Lake Ranger Station (Inyo NF),r 619-647-3000r
  • r Highway 140,r Mariposa Information Station (Sierra NF),r 209-966-3638r
  • r Highway 41,r Oakhurst Ranger Station (Sierra NF),r 559-683-4665r
  r
  r r

  r

• Bureau of Land Management (BLM),r Mariposa area,r 209-966-3192r

r Chambers of Commercer

r There are numerous private campgrounds outside Yosemite National Park.r For information about these campgrounds and other accomodations outsider Yosemite, contact the appropriate Chamber of Commerce:r

r
• Tuolumne County (hwy 120, west): 800-446-1333r
• Southern Yosemite (hwy 41): 559-683-4636r
• Coulterville (hwy 132, hwy 49): 209-878-3074 or 209-878-3471r
• Mariposa (hwy 140, hwy 49): 209-966-2456r
• Lee Vining/Mono Lake (hwy 120, east): 619-647-6629 or 619-647-6595r

r BOOKS ABOUT YOSEMITEr

r This list of works is not a complete list, but a compilation of the mostr useful books I have found.r These and more books on Yosemite are atr http://www.yosemite.ca.us/bookstore/r The complete text for some historical books is available online.r Seer http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/r

r All these books are available from the Yosemite Association, from ther publisher, from local bookstores, and fromr http://www.yosemite.ca.us/bookstore/r

r Update:r The authors of the Farley comic strip have a new book out.r New books by Shirley Sargent, Al Runte, Sellars, others....r r

r Generalr r

r
• r Medley, Steve, 1998, The Complete Guidebook to Yosemite National Park,r Yosemite: Yosemite Association, 112p.r
  r This book covers just about everything you want to know about Yosemite;r if you're only going to buy one book about visiting Yosemite, this is ther one.r
• r National Park Service, 1989, Yosemite: a Guide to Yosemite National Park,r Washington, DC: Division of Publications, National Park Service, 143 p.r
  r This handbook covers general information about history and science issuesr in Yosemite, as well as some visitor information, some of which is obsolete.r
• r Wuerthner, George, Yosemite: a Visitor's Companion, Mechanicsburg, PA:r Stackpole Books, 232 p.r
  r A rather thorough book containing information about geology, ecology,r history, and a road guide.r
• r Frank, Susan, and Frank, Phil, 1998, The Yosemite Handbook; An Insider'sr Guide To The Park, Rohnert Park, CA: Pomegranate, 208 p.r
  r By the authors of the Farley comic strip, a fairly complete, sometimesr humorous, illustrated guide to Yosemite.r
• r Ditton, Richard P., and McHenry, Donald E., 1976, Yosemite Road Guide,r Yosemite: Yosemite Association, 79 p.r
  r An inexpensive road guide keyed to roadside markers in Yosemite.r
• r Browning, Peter, 1988, Yosemite Place Names: The Historic Background ofr Geographic Names in Yosemite National Park, Lafayette, CA: Great Westr Books, 241 p.r
  r This is the best reference for place names in Yosemite.r
• r Mather, Jay, and Maharidge, Dale, 1990, Yosemite: a Landscape of Life,r Yosemite and Sacramento: Yosemite Association and the Sacramento Bee,r 120 p.r
  r This award-winning book is an enjoyable and insightful look at some of thoser who live and work in Yosemite.r
• r Copernicus Software, 1995, Yosemite Adventure Guide on CD, Lake Oswego,r OR: Copernicus Software.r
  r This CD-ROM contains a wealth of Yosemite information, including maps andr photos.r

r Hikingr

r
• r Schaffer, Jeffrey P., 1999, Yosemite National Park: a Natural-historyr Guide to Yosemite and its Trails, Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 274 p.r
  r This is by far the best, most complete book describing hikes andr backpacks in Yosemite. This book covers hikes and backpacks on virtuallyr every trail in the park. Besides trail descriptions, the author givesr plenty of information about interesting geologic, ecologic, and historicr trailside features. Also includes a guide to the geology, biology, andr history of Yosemite. Reader beware: some of the author's geologicr interpretations of the Yosemite region are generally rejected by ther geological community. Includes a map of Yosemite National Park and Vicinityr that has been updated by the author.r r
• r Arnot, Phil, 1992, Yosemite Valley: Secret Places and Magic Moments,r San Carlos, CA: Wide World Publishing/Tetra, 217 p.r
  r This book tries to point out hikes to less visited and relaxing places.r r
• r Deutsch, Rick,r One Best Hike: Yosemite's Half Dome,r Wilderness Press, 2007. 113 p.r
  r Anything and everything about Half Dome and the trail to the top of Half Dome.r r
• r Gillmore, Robert, 1993, Great Walks in Yosemite National Park,r Goffstown, NH: Great Walks, 186 p.r
  r This small book describes mostly easy walks, and some moderate hikes.r
• r O'Neill, Dennis, 1996, Trail Tools: Yosemite Valley,r San Francisco, CA:r O'Neill Software, 144 p.r
  r This book provides graphic trail profiles and mileage charts for popularr hikes in Yosemite Valley. A potentially useful reference.r

r
• r Meyers, George and Reid, Don. 1987. Yosemite Climbs. Denver:r Chockstone Press.r
• r Reid, Don. 1998. Rock Climbing: Yosemite Free Climbsr Yosemite climbs. Denver: Chockstone Press, 424 p.r
• r Roper, Steve. 1964. A Climber's Guide to Yosemite Valley.r San Francisco: Sierra Club.r

r Historyr

r The complete text for selected historical Yosemite books are available online.r Seer http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/r r

r
• r Sanborn, Margaret, 1989, Yosemite: its Discovery, its Wonders, and its People,r Yosemite: Yosemite Association, 289 p.r r This is the most readable book on the history of Yosemite.r
• r Russell, Carl P., 1992, One Hundred Years in Yosemite: the Story of a Greatr Park and its Friends, [online] Yosemite: Yosemite Association, 269 p.r r This is the classic history of Yosemite.r
• r Bunnell, Lafayette H., 1990, Discovery of the Yosemite: and the Indian Warr of 1851 which Led to that Event, [online]r Yosemite: Yosemite Association, 315 p.r
  r This is an interesting first-hand account of the first militaryr expeditions to Yosemite and other early history.r
• r LeConte, Joseph, 1994, A Journal of Ramblings Through the High Sierras ofr California, [online]r Yosemite: Yosemite Association, 119 p.r
  r This is the journal of Joseph LeConte, a geologist with the Universityr of California, written during his 1870 trip to Yosemite and Owens Valley.r
• r Sargent, Shirley, 1998, Protecting Paradise; Yosemite Rangers, 1898-1960, Yosemite,r Ponderosa Press, 146 p.r
  r A collection of many interesting stories of the early rangers of Yosemite.r
• r Runte, Alfred, 1990, Yosemite: The Embattled Wilderness, [online]r Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 271 p.r
  r This is an excellent book dealing with the environmental history of Yosemite.r
• r Runte, Alfred, 1997,r National Parks; the American Experience, 3d ed. Lincoln:r University of Nebraska Press, 335 p.r
  r This is another excellent book by Runte dealing with the management andr environmental history of the US national park system.r
• r Sellars, Richard, W., 1997, Preserving Nature in the National Parks; ar History, New Haven, Yale University Press, 380 p.r
  r And yet another excellent book dealing with history of the national parkr system. A good companion to Runte's book.r
r

r Geologyr

r

r
• r Huber, N. King, 1987, The Geologic Story of Yosemite National Park,r Yosemite: Yosemite Association, 64 p.r
  r This is probably the best general book describing the geologic historyr of Yosemite. Originally published as USGS Bulletin 1595.r
r
• r Matthes, Francois E., 1950, The Incomparable Valley: a Geologic Interpretationr of the Yosemite, Berkeley: University of California Press, 160 p.r
  r This is the most complete book describing the geologic history of Yosemite.r This book was compiled by Fritiof Fryxell from Matthes' notes and hisr professional papers. A significant amount of information in this bookr is now believed to be incorrect, but the book is still worth reading.r
r
• r Schaffer, Jeffrey P., 1997, The Geomorphic Evolution of the Yosemiter Valley and Sierra Landscapes; Solving the Riddles in the Rocks,r Berkeley: Wilderness Press.r
  r This book expounds a highly controversial reinterpretation ofr the development of Yosemite's landscape, which is widely rejectedr by the geological community.r
r

r Biologyr

r
• r Basey, Harold E., 1976, Discovering Sierra Reptiles and Amphibians,r Yosemite: Yosemite Association, 50 p.r
• r Beedy, Edward C., and Granholm, Stephen L., 1985, Discovering Sierrar Birds,r Yosemite: Yosemite Association, 229 p. [Out of Print!]r
• r Gaines, David, 1988, Birds of Yosemite and the East Slope, Lee Vining:r Artemesia Press, 352 p.r
• r Grater, Russell K., and Blaue, Tom A., 1978, Discovering Sierra Mammals,r Yosemite: Yosemite Association, 174 p.r
• r Morgenson, Dana C., 1975, Yosemite Wildflower Trails, Yosemite:r Yosemite Association, 88 p.r
• r Wilson, L., Wilson, J., and Nicholas, Jeff., 1994, Wildflowers ofr Yosemite, El Portal: Sierra Press, 143 p.r
r

r Mapsr

r Various maps of Yosemite are published by Wilderness Press, US Geologicalr Survey (USGS), and Trails Illustrated. These maps are available inr Yosemite, at your local map store, from the publishers, and atr http://www.yosemite.ca.us/bookstore/r

r Historical maps of Yosemiter are available online at http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/maps/.r

r ONLINE BOOKS ABOUT YOSEMITEr

r
• John W. Bingaman,r
  r
  • r Guardians of the Yosemiter (1961)r
  r
  • r The Ahwahneechees: A Story of the Yosemite Indiansr (1966)r
  r
  r
r r
• William H. Brewer,r r r Up and Down California in 1860-1864; The Journal of William H. Brewerr r (1930)r r
• Lafayette Houghton Bunnell,r r Discovery of the Yosemite and the Indian War of 1851,r Which Led to That Eventr (c. 1892)r r
• Galen Clarkr
  r
  • r Indians of the Yosemiter (1904)r
  r
  • r The Big Trees of Californiar (1907)r
  r
  • r Early Days in Yosemite (1964).r Originally published as "A Plea for Yosemite" inr Yosemite Nature Notes (February 1927)r from a manuscript written c. 1907.r
  r
  • r The Yosemite Valley,r (1910)r
  r
  r
r r
• Laurence Degnan and Douglass H. Hubbard,r r The Old Stagedriver’s Yosemite Yarnsr (1962).r Yosemite stories set in the early 1900s and late 1800sr
r r r
• Francis P. Farquhar,r r Place Names of the High Sierrar (1926)r
r r
• Elizabeth H. Godfrey,r r Yosemite Indians; Yesterday and Todayr [1941]r
r r
• Lady Constance F. Gordon-Cumming,r Granite Cragsr (1884)r Later reprinted as Granite Crags of Californiar
r r
• Edward Winslow Gifford,r Miwok Mythsr (1917)r
r r
• Ansel F. Hall,r Handbook of Yosemite National Park: a compendium of articles on the Yosemite region by the leading scientific authoritiesr (1922)r
r r r
• John S. Hittellr r Yosemite: Its Wonders and Its Beauties (1868)r
r r
• r N. King Huberr The Geologic Story of Yosemite National Park,r (1987)r
r r
• James Mason Hutchings,r
  r
  • r r Scenes of Wonder and Curiosityr (1862)r
  r r
  • r r In the Heart of the Sierras; the Yo Semite Valley, . . .r Big Tree Groves. The High Sierra, . . .r (1888)r
  r
  r
r r
• Douglass H. Hubbard,r r Wild Flowers of the Sierrar (1958)r
r r
• Clarence King,r r Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevadar (1902)r
r r
• Thomas Starr Kingr
• r A Vacation among the Sierras: Yosemite in 1860r by Thomas Starr Kingr (1962)r
r r
• Samuel Kneeland,r r The wonders of the Yosemite Valley, and of Californiar With original photographic illustrations, by John P. Soule.r r
r r r
• Joseph LeConte,r r A Journal of Ramblings Through the High Sierrasr of California (1875)r
r r
• James W. McFarlandr r A Guide to the Giant Sequoias of Yosemite National Parkr r (1949)r
r r
• C. Hart Merriam,r r The Dawn of the World;r Myths and Weird Tales Told by the Mewan [Miwok] Indians of California,r (1910)r
r r r
• John Muirr
  r
  • Articles in ther New York Tribune, 1871:r r "Yosemite Glaciers,"r r "Yosemite in Winter,"r andr r "Yosemite in Spring."r
  r
  • r r Studies in the Sierrar (1874-1875; 1915-1921; 1950)r
  r
  • r r Picturesque Californiar (1888-1890)r
  r
  • Articles in The Century Magazine, 1890:r r "The Treasures of the Yosemite"r andr r "Features of the Proposed Yosemite National Park,"r
  r
  • r r The Mountains of California (1894)r
  r
  • r r Our National Parksr (1901)r
  r
  • r My First Summer in the Sierrar (1911)r
  r
  • r The Yosemiter (1912)r
  r
  • r r The Story of My Boyhood and Youthr (1913)r
  r
  • r Letters to a Friendr (1915)r
  r
  • r Steep Trailsr (1919)r
  r
  • r r The Life and Letters of John Muirr (1923)r
  r
  r
r r
• Frederick Law Olmsted,r Yosemite and the Mariposa Grove:r A Preliminary Report (1865)r
r r
• Irene D. Paden and Margaret E. Schlichtmann,r The Big Oak Flat Roadr (1955)r
r r r
• Harry C. Parker,r Mammals of Yosemite National Parkr (1962) r
r r
• Robert J. Rodinr i Ferns of the Sierrar (1960)r
r r
• Carl Parcher Russell,r r r One Hundred Years in Yosemite;r The Story of a Great Park and Its Friendsr 2d. ed.r (1962)r
r r
• Shirley Sargent,r Wawona’s Yesterdaysr (1961)r
r r
• Cyril A. Stebbins and Robert C. Stebbins,r Birds of Yosemite National Parkr (1954, 1963)r
r r
• Mrs. H. J. Taylorr
  r
  • r The Last Survivorr (1932)r Biographical sketch of Maria Lebrado “To-tu-ya”r (ca. 1840-1931), granddaughter of Tenaya, chief of the Yosemite Indians.r
  • r Yosemite Indians and Other Sketchesr (1936)r Biographical sketches of early pioneers and artists, and Yosemite Indians.r
  r r
• Mary Curry Tresidderr The Trees of Yosemite; a Popularr Account Revised ed.r (1948).r Tree descriptions and identification.r Linoleum prints by Della Taylor Hoss.r
r r
• Keith A. Trexlerr The Tioga Road; a History 1883-1961r (1961, rev. 1980)r Describes the history of the Tioga Road, and it's relation with the Great Sierra Mine.r
r r
• Thérèse Yelvertonr Zanita: A Tale of the Yo-semiter (1872).r Fictional novel about Yosemite, including glimpses of a young John Muirr
r r
• Myrl V. Walkerr r Reptiles and Amphibians of Yosemite National Parkr (1946)r
r r
• Josiah Dwight Whitney, Jr.,r r The Yosemite Book:r a description of the Yosemite Valley and the adjacent regionr of the Sierra Nevada, and of the big trees of Californiar (1869)r
r r

r APPENDIXr

r This portion of the FAQ actually answers the "real"r Frequently-asked questions!r

r The Firefallr

r The Firefall, a tradition for many years, occurred each summer night, whenr glowing embers were pushed off of Glacier Point-- a glowing waterfall.r

r The Firefall began in July 1872 when James McCauley pushed off the remainsr of a barbeque fire. He had planned a barbeque at his hotel at Glacierr Point, the Mountain House, but no one showed up, so he shoved the coalsr off the cliff in disgust. People in Yosemite Valley marveled at ther spectacle, and urged him to do it again, so he did for several years.r (An alternative version is that McCauley planned the Firefall for Julyr 4th, to outdo others' plans for fireworks.)r

r In 1899, the Curry Family left Yellowstone NP, where they had a smallr business, for Yosemite Valley and established a smallr tent-cabin camp, appropriately named Camp Curry (now Curry Village).r Curry, an astute businessman, needed an attraction to draw people to hisr new camp, and since Camp Curry was perfectly located to view the Firefall,r he revived it. In 1913, the Department of the Interior (the National Parkr Service was not created until 1916) banned the Firefall, ostensibly forr safety reasons, but more likely as a punishment for Curry's persistent andr irritating requests for more privileges.r (Competition between the various concessions was very intense;r difficulties arising from competition lead the NPS, in 1925,r to force Curry Company to merge with the other large concession,r Yosemite Park Company, to form Yosemite Park and Curry Company,r which remained the park's chief concessioner until 1993, when it was replaced byr DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite).r However, the National Park Service reinstated the Firefall in 1917.r

r Finally, in 1968, the Firefall was abolished for several reasons. Firstr of all, Yosemite National Park is protected mostly for its naturalr features, and the Firefall, an artificial attraction that drewr additional visitors at a time when visitation was increasing dramaticallyr anyway, was out of place. Additionally, excessive environmental damage,r especially to eastern Yosemite Valley's meadows, was occurring due to ther the large crowds that gathered in the meadows to watch the Firefall. Inr addition, major traffic jams occurred while everyone stopped to watch.r

r For a 1936 sketch of the firefall seer “Yosemite Fire Fall”r in Yosemite Indians and Other Sketches (1936) by Mrs. H. J. Taylor.r For a popular version, seer “How the Firefall Began” inr Yosemite Yarnsr (1962) by Laurence Degnan and Douglass Hubbard.r

r The Tunnel Treesr

r Three giant sequoias have had man-made tunnels cut through them inr Yosemite. The Old Big Oak Flat Road ran right through the Tuolumne Tunnelr Tree (cut in 1878) until it was closed in 1992. Tunnels were cut throughr the Wawona and California Trees in the Mariposa Grove in 1881 and 1895,r respectively. A road ran through both. In the winter of 1968-1969, ther Wawona Tunnel Tree toppled due to snow accumulation on its branches. Ther road that previously ran through the California Tunnel Tree was reroutedr around it in 1932. So, no, it is not possible to drive through a tree inr Yosemite, though you can walk through both the Tuolumne Tunnel Tree andr the California Tunnel Tree.r

r Camping on Half Domer

r No longer allowed.r Campers were burning the remaining trees on top and leaving trash and human waste.r

r The disappearance of Mirror Laker

r Mirror Lake has always been a favorite stopping place for Yosemiter tourists, however since 1971 it has been shrinking. The lake wasr formed on Tenaya Creek by a rockfall dam that was later enlarged byr humans, but sediment carried by Tenaya Creek has slowly filled the lake.r For several decades (since 1914) the National Park Service (before 1916,r the Dept. of Interior) dredged the lake to keep it fromr filling in and in order to use the sand on roads during the winter.r However, in the 1970s, the NPS decided that natural processes shouldr prevail in Yosemite and have since stopped dredging the lake. Eventually,r sand and mud will fill in the lake completely... creating a new meadow.r A similar process is occurring at Siesta Lake, along the Tioga Road.r

r The Happy Isles rockfall of June, 1996r

r At 6:52 PDT on 10 June 1996, a portion of the cliff near Glacier Pointr came crashing down into the Happy Isles area in Yosemite Valley. Fromr below, the scar from where the rocks fell looks tiny, but a total of aboutr 78,000 cubic yards (60,000 cubic meters) of granitic rock fell (that'sr about the same as a cube with sides of 43 yds (39 m)).r

r Rockfalls are a continuing natural process in Yosemite and have beenr occurring there for millions of years. In fact, Yosemite Valley looks ther way it does in part because of rockfalls. What was unusual about thisr rockfall is that the rocks, rather than sliding, free-fell much of the wayr down. The result was an air blast (think of what happens when you drop ar book on a table) that created hurricane-force winds. These winds are whatr caused all of the damage-- falling rocks caused none. The winds knockedr over hundreds of trees, some of which fell into the snack stand,r destroying it, into the nature center, damaging it, and over severalr footbridges, damaging or destroying some of them. One person was killedr and another paralyzed.r r

r The Flood of 1997r

r By January 1st, 1997, the Yosemite region was covered by a significantr amount of snow. A series of warm storms dumped rain to elevations up tor about 10,000 feet. The warm rain not only ran off into streams, but alsor melted snow (which also ran off into streams). As a result, Yosemite'sr streams quickly flooded. The 1997 flood was the largest recorded flood (thoughr historic floods prior to 1915 may have been larger) in Yosemite's history. Allr of the largest floods have resulted from rain falling on snow. Other suchr floods occurred in 1937, 1955, 1960, and 1964; several of these were nearly asr large as the 1997 flood (which has been classified as a 60-year flood, if Ir remember correctly). Damage from the 1997 flood included major damage to ther El Portal Road (Hwy 140 inside the park) and other minor road damage; Yosemiter Lodge cabins, and several valley campgrounds.r

r The Yosemite Valley Planr

r Perhaps you have heard about the Yosemite Valley Plan. An early incarnation ofr the plan, called the Draft Valley Implementation Plan, was withdrawn by NPS inr 1998 after after a judge, in a preliminary ruling, agreed with the Sierra Clubr that valley planning (which at the time including the VIP, Lodge DCP, andr Valley Housing Plan) was fragmented. (Public opinion of the plan wasn't allr that great, either.)r

r The National Park Service, in response to public comments, decided to combiner all valley planning into one document, the Yosemite Valley Plan. The plan willr be released sometime in 2000.r

r The goal of the Yosemite Valley Plan is NOT only to reduce traffic congestion.r In fact, the driving force behind the YVP is improvement of the protection ofr Yosemite Valley's natural and cultural resources and improvement in ther experience visitors have when visiting the valley.r

r Constraints on development of facilities (including lodging, campgrounds, andr concessioner housing) include minimizing:r

r
• construction of new facilities in the rockfall/slide zoner
r
• encroachment into highly valued resource areas (e.g., meadows andr riparian areas)r
r
• minimizing development in the floodplain.r
r

r Visit http://www.nps.gov/yose/planning/r for more information.r

r What does Yosemite and Ahwahnee mean?r [by Dan Anderson]r

r Yosemite means “those who kill.”r The term was used originally by the surrounding Miwok tribes tor refer to the Indians that occupied Yosemite Valley.r The occupiers were a band of renegade Indians who were much feared byr neighboring tribes.r Yosemite Valley was named in 1851 by Mr. Bunnell.r Mr. Bunnell was part of the Mariposa Battalion, which was sent inr capture the Yosemite Indians.r The Valley was named in honor of the soon-to-be-captives.r

r The Yosemite Indians referred to themselves asr Ah-wah-ne-chee or “dwellers of Ahwahnee.”r Ahwahnee (or Awooni or Owwo)r was the original name for Yosemite Valley.r It means (gaping) “mouth,” which referred to the deep openingr of Yosemite Valley in the Sierra Nevada.r

r For more details on ther origin and meaning of Yosemiter seer r http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/origin_of_word_yosemite.htmlr

r ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSr

r Thanks to the following for providing information to the followingr sections:r

r
• r Entrance Stations (fee schedule): Bond Shands, "Back Packer"r
r
• r If you will visit Yosemite, please read this section: Georgia Stigallr
r
• r Camping Outside Yosemite: Tina Wangr
r
• r Accomodations in Yosemite: Bond Shands, Dan Andersonr
r
• r Accomodations Outside Yosemite:r Richard King, Kay Hewitt, RJ Clark, Chris Falkensteinr
r
• r Appendix: Ben Parker, Bond Shandsr
r
• r And many thanks to Eugene Miya, for editing early versions of this FAQ.r
r

r

r This FAQ was initially compiled by Jeffrey Trust, a geologist formerly atr California State University Northridger and long-time park ranger at Yosemite National Park.r His specialities arer lithological geomorphology, Sierra Nevada, Owens Valley,r and glacial geomorphology.r His photograph of Half Dome at Sunsetr is at the official NPS Yosemite website.r

r The National Park Service Interpretation Division also has a usefulr Yosemite FAQ.r

r Last updated by Jeffrey Trust on 9 July 2000.r First converted to HTML with by Dan Anderson, 1 August 2002.r

r r

r Yosemite > FAQ >r

r r The Yosemite FAQr
r (Frequently-asked Questions with Answers)r r

r

r

r r r

r r 4. Resourcesr r Detailed Table of Contentsr r

r

r Have a correction or addition for this FAQ?r Then please fill out thisr Comment Form.r

r

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r r

r r r r r r r r  r Copyright © 1996 - 2000 Jeffrey Trust. Copyright © 2002 - 2010 Dan Anderson. All rights reserved.r r

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r r r http://www.yosemite.ca.us/faq/r r r