Anyone been? Any tips/ what to see/ do? Aiming for a September holiday
We got back this year from a visit at that same time. Enjoyed it loads. We stayed at the Half dome tent village which was less than perfect but good for being in the middle of where you wanted to be from first light.
The mountains are spectacular and even if you just view them from the road side they are amazing. We had very little water in the waterfalls but then again lots of sunshine. The park is a no go moutain-bike area so don't bother.
Best place to go would be a camper on one of the quickly booked sites, As good as camping but with somewhere to keep you stuff and cook in in the evening. I'd go again in a heartbeat.
Thanks Mikey! Will go to Mammoth Mountain to MTB. How long would you say to stay to do it a bit of justice? (Going to do other stuff as well - did you just do the Park?)
Its two decades since I visited but the place takes your breath away. I stayed just outside the park - some nice log cabin on a lake and drove in each day. I remember horse riding for a day, doing a bit trekking on foot, having diner at the Ahwahnee hotel - all great. Just scratched the surface really. If I went back could imagine spending several days there. Perhaps hike Half Dome? Get lost in the backcountry.
Could't get a permit to joint the other 'hikers' on a the ladder up half dome. Can't decided if we missed anything.
tuolumne meadows is beautiful
and worth a visit. The distances are huge and a drive to somewhere close is a epic day out.
Glacier Point is a short drive to a walk but well worth it if you get to the top of one of Sentinel Dome at sunset. The place is just huge. Watching the lights of the climbing teams on the face of El Capitan revealed just be the head torch still send a shiver down my spine. Love it all.
The half dome tent village is a bit like M.A.S.H without the jokes and the food. Typically is is money removal machine designed by companies.
I would still go back at a moments notice.
Just did the park after San Francisco, Marin and Santa Cruz before the park.
Didn't go anywhere near bikes other than the MTB museum.
September is also a perfect time of year for Yosemite!
Enjoy!
As soon as you can, before it blows up and we all die.
Mr Woppit -I did the might die thing last year 🙂 They can just **** off - Live life to the full!
Mr Woppit - Member
As soon as you can, before it blows up and we all die.
Isn't that Yellowstone?
Tip - Don't leave food in your car over night. The bears will rip the boot open and spread the contents all over the car park. It happened to three cars while we were there despite warnings posted everywhere. I can only repeat what everyone else says fantastic place. Do the walk to Glacier point where you get great views of the park.
As soon as you can, before it blows up and we all die.
That's Yellowstone.
I'll be there early Sept. Tips? If you arrive by bike or bus you qualify to camp at the hiker/biker sites for 1 night each site - no booking required. I've heard availability usually OK and the site in the valley is fairly secluded and quiet.
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bpcamp.htm
The website front page about camping doesn't mention touring bikers but in the compendium it states
Backpacker camps are intended for use by visitors in possession of an overnight Wilderness Permit or for visitors arriving in the park by foot, bicycle, or bus.
Page 16 at
I went there and stayed in the hotel in the park. We arrived late so it was dark and saw nothing. Waking up in the middle of the park and seeing it for the first time was jaw dropping.
As soon as you can, before it blows up and we all die.
I suspect Woppitt is talking about US / Russian Nuclear war.
OP the people I know who have been did the camper or more accurately RV = Recreational Vehicle thing. All organised and boomed in advance inc a route around the park, as above its huge and Americans are used to driving big distances, when I lived in NY we would drive 3hrs each way for a days skiing without even thinking of if. Be prepared for $$$
It's on my wish list as is Yellowstone (only been there in fhe winter)
Er, oops...
Thanks so much everyone! Yes, thinking RV might be the way to go but a bit scary 😕
I was there September 2015 on my way up to Lake Tahoe for a traithlon. If you stay in Oakhurst, there is a great microbrewery that serves pretty good food, The South Gate Brewing Co.
If you can go over the Tioga Pass to Lee Vining and visit Mono Lake. It's an amazing landscape. And take some warm clothes, it can get very cold at night!
Yes, thinking RV might be the way to go but a bit scary
Better to be in the tank than being crushed by one ! IME American roads are setup for big vehicles, drive it like you own the road
Was there just a few days ago. Spent Christmas in the Park before a huge storm forced us to move on. Easy to say, you need lodging within the park, but its probably quite expensive in high season. There are plenty of places just outside the park edges, but nothing beats getting up at dawn and walking the valley floor when its quiet and seeing the falls and faces with no one else about.
There are plenty of hikes from the valley, but the hours walk up to Inspiration Point takes some beating when compared to some of the longer hikes.
If you do have a suitable vehicle i.e. not an R.V. then the road up and through Tioga Pass on Hwy 120 must be one of the worlds best drives.
Who are you with? How active is the group?
We managed to get a back country back packing permit whilst there (20 years ago). Back packing up little Yosemite valley was brilliant. We didn't do the half dome cables and I regret that.
We did some easy(ish) climbing but it was brilliant. If you have done even a bit of climbing and could afford a guide for a multipitch easy route I think that would be great. If you have your own gear their are good routes at all grades