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Re: Yosemite

Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 10:19 am
by gregangsten
And today it went back to a -maybe- at Bridalveil. They rescinded the earlier opening statement. Probably might be a better word.
We apologize, but due to a technical issue, we will not be able to release Bridalveil Creek Group and Horse sites tomorrow, June 27. We will send another email when they will be available to reserve.

We will still be releasing the Lower and North Pines flood sites as referenced in the previous email.


Sincerely,

Eric Bissmeyer
Campground Manager
Yosemite National Park

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 10:45 am
by gregangsten
Got a notice yesterday from Yosemite saying the campground will open on July 15, but without water. No word on when water will be restored to that campground. I hope it is by August.

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 3:30 pm
by gregangsten
I am planning to drive up Tuesday evening of that week, stay just outside the park, and get in early the next morning to get a spot on Wednesday. The last two years it's been tough getting campsites there and I resolved to make a little vacation out of it and go up earlier mid week to stake my claim. If anyone else wants to arrive Wednesday, I'll try to save you a site as well so let me know, first come first served.

It would be good to coordinate here, let people know when you would arrive, share rides, etc. Also, I can take another if anyone wants to carpool and go up that early.

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 3:46 pm
by mrobin604
I'm heading up Friday. Lynn and I will be staying outside the park at the White Chief Mountain Lodge, in Fish Camp. Greg, do you have room for a falcon on your car? We want to take Lynn's new car and she doesn't have a rack on it.

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 5:46 pm
by stebbins
I just got back from Yosemite. Bridalveil is open, but no water. The camp host says it might be quite a while. He says that the fire last year "melted the water lines", whatever that means. In any case, no water there or at the bathrooms at Chinquapin (where Glacier Point Road splits from the main road.) There was water at Wawona and in the Valley. I never checked if there was water at Glacier Point, but I wouldn't be surprised either way.

LZ is dry, except for the usual wet spots/deep puddles. Grass is high, but not excessively so, except right near the breakdown area, where it is shorter than usual. Go figure. River is high, but not excessively so. My son had a blast in the river.

We left on Monday around 11. Bridalveil was barely half full. But the previous Thursday, it was full by 10 or so. Friday, even earlier. Sunday afternoon was nice: Only about 20% of the campsites (or less) were occupied.

There is a "snow play area" just outside the park off of 41. It is basically a large parking lot hidden in the trees. It is in the national forest, not the park, and I've never been rousted there. The Bridalveil Camp Host says that it is acceptable (for now) to stay there. Please, no fires. The Camp Host claims that the forest service is considering closing this parking lot because some people build fires there. So just don't. But it is available, and close, and outside the park.

Have fun! We did. (Oh, and the waterfalls are flowing quite freely as of last weekend!)

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 10:07 am
by MikeI
I'm still working out my plans. Hoping to go up Thursday afternoon (leaving around noon). Planning to camp if I can, but I haven't been to Yosemite yet, so I'm clueless on campsites. What are the odds of finding a spot if I arrive late thursday?

Anyone else heading up Thursday and want to carpool? I should have room for gliders as well.

Mike

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 8:54 am
by gregangsten
Marshall, I can take your Falcon. I expect to be at Sylmar on Saturday if you want to give it to me then.

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 6:39 pm
by gregangsten
stebbins wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2019 5:46 pm
There is a "snow play area" just outside the park off of 41. It is basically a large parking lot hidden in the trees. It is in the national forest, not the park, and I've never been rousted there. The Bridalveil Camp Host says that it is acceptable (for now) to stay there. Please, no fires. The Camp Host claims that the forest service is considering closing this parking lot because some people build fires there. So just don't. But it is available, and close, and outside the park.)
George, I'm trying to see exactly where you are talking about. Ifyou are driving out of the park and down, is it the little road that circles off to the right (north, Summerdale campground, I think) or the one that turns off to the left, Mt. Raymond Rd? I was looking on Google Earth.

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:03 pm
by gregangsten
Nevermind. It is the Mt. Raymond Rd. The snow area shows up on the maps.

Mike, I will try to get spots for you and Arthur for Thursday night, if I can.

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:27 pm
by stebbins
Yep. That's right. I couldn't remember the name of the road when I posted, but seeing it reminded me. Mt. Raymond Rd.

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 4:05 pm
by arthur
For all of you newbies coming. Since we are done flying by 9 or 10 it is a tradition to then spend the day slowly drifting down the Merced with a number of stops so that it isn't over too soon.
I would suggest buying a cheap Costco Intex raft. I have an extra "two person" one (if you really like each other) that seems to be holding air.
You could also rent a large raft from Curry Village (or whatever they are calling it now).
Or you could be like Greg and buy a floating yacht (or talk him into letting you crew his ship)

We did have an angry ranger one time that forced us to rent PFDs. If you have one bring it. Even though it is perfectly legal to float/swim without one, just not in a boat??

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 7:21 pm
by arthur
Oh, and no wheels.
Bring a spare downtube (or two :oops: ) if you have them. You never know.

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 1:49 pm
by gregangsten
River is low but floatable. No more boat rentals after Thursday though. Get a cheap one at Walmart or Big 5.

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 1:49 pm
by gregangsten
River is low but floatable. No more boat rentals after Thursday though. Get a cheap one at Walmart or Big 5.

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 9:53 am
by arthur
Greg, thanks for arranging the trip, it went well as far as I know. I would like to buy you a ride up Kagel next time that I see you!
And thanks to Andy and Dwayne for monitoring also, everybody had a great time...and not too much aluminum broken :oops:

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 11:41 am
by beemer
A big Thank You to Aurthur and Dewayne for making my first day as site monitor go smoothly. It was fun to be baptized in the Merced river by Barton and Dewayne.

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 2:36 pm
by gregangsten
Yeah, I thought the trip went great. Perfect weather and no fires. For myself, I enjoyed getting a few extra days up there to relax, hike a little and bicycle around the Valley. We had less trouble than expected getting campsites, probably due to the lack of water there. Made it quieter too with fewer families willing to go there with little kids and no water.

A little bubbly and congratulations for the four first-timers I know of who were there! The river was low but not too low, making for a perfect float. I think we worked out a good technique for getting in and out of the water with the traffic and restricted parking now. The rumor is that the Glacier Point road may be closed next season for repairs, so there may be no trip next year.

We did surprise Dwayne Saturday morning, when five of us showed up and he was the only one signed up. Thanks, Dwayne and Arthur, you do a great job, and Barton too who did his first flight there after his heart attack, I believe. Back in the saddle!

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 1:56 pm
by gregangsten
Steve M put up some launch and landing videos https://youtu.be/H8oD1rTTyFE. Thanks, Steve!

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:22 pm
by Steve90266
Had a great time, Greg. Thanks for showing us the ropes! Till next year!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWiCGsIqCus

Re: Yosemite

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 8:54 am
by arthur