Can we or can't we - go backpacking???
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 1:52 pm
This paste below in italics, is an extract from rlown's post today on Yosemite re-opening and illustrates my "dilemma question":
Cann, who worked at Yosemite for 18 years, including as deputy superintendent, said that Yosemite can open when it wants with or without California’s permission because it is federal property. The Trump administration has been slowly pushing national parks to reopen, and has reopened Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and other famed parks in recent weeks. But Yosemite officials and county leaders have worked together to come up with health guidelines to reduce political friction and to reduce the chances of an outbreak of COVID-19 which could force the park to close again.
“They are ready to go any time after June 10th or 11th,” Cann said. “The superintendent says they want to get a couple of days in before a weekend. That makes total sense.”
State health officials have not said when or whether they might grant approval for the gateway communities’ hotels and campgrounds to reopen. In recent weeks, however, Newsom has allowed churches, barbershops, dine-in restaurants and summer camps to reopen.
“Everybody is waiting for the state to give us the green light to open lodging and we’re not getting it,” said Stacy Corless, chairwoman of the Mono County Board of Supervisors. “People are coming anyway. And you can’t blame them when you think of the mental health impact and the solace and peace people find in the mountains, on their public land. People are coming and we need to be able to accommodate the visitation.”
Seems like there are some differing views about opening things up again for humans. Meanwhile the mosquitoes are no doubt doing their thing, somewhere near the first phases of "hatch" and subsequent mass harassment for back-packers. I had been hoping to get up into the peaks before they got too bad and time is running out for that.
So, one problem I see for any wilderness permits, be it Yosemite or NF Wilderness areas, is that we may well be able to get a permit or do a "self-permit" (as I was advised could be done by SNF/Clovis if all the permit information is displayed in the vehicle left at trail-head), but that permit would clearly show that one may have traveled from a great distance to get to the trail-head! Seeing as leisure (non essential) travel is not OK c/o the state of California, but the authorities are opening up National Parks/Forest areas...Ummmmm, if not a local, how does one get to Yosemite or NF Wildernesses to use that Wilderness Permit??? Yosemite and NF service areas opening up to visitors seems to blatantly contradict the CA state travel orders and supposed fines for that = Catch 22.
I have no problem wondering if I am able to keep excellent social distancing from my front door until return (absolutely yes), but I do wonder about advertising long distance "camping travel" to state or federal agencies...Anyone have any clearer understanding of this issue?
Thanks much ~ michaelzim
Cann, who worked at Yosemite for 18 years, including as deputy superintendent, said that Yosemite can open when it wants with or without California’s permission because it is federal property. The Trump administration has been slowly pushing national parks to reopen, and has reopened Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and other famed parks in recent weeks. But Yosemite officials and county leaders have worked together to come up with health guidelines to reduce political friction and to reduce the chances of an outbreak of COVID-19 which could force the park to close again.
“They are ready to go any time after June 10th or 11th,” Cann said. “The superintendent says they want to get a couple of days in before a weekend. That makes total sense.”
State health officials have not said when or whether they might grant approval for the gateway communities’ hotels and campgrounds to reopen. In recent weeks, however, Newsom has allowed churches, barbershops, dine-in restaurants and summer camps to reopen.
“Everybody is waiting for the state to give us the green light to open lodging and we’re not getting it,” said Stacy Corless, chairwoman of the Mono County Board of Supervisors. “People are coming anyway. And you can’t blame them when you think of the mental health impact and the solace and peace people find in the mountains, on their public land. People are coming and we need to be able to accommodate the visitation.”
Seems like there are some differing views about opening things up again for humans. Meanwhile the mosquitoes are no doubt doing their thing, somewhere near the first phases of "hatch" and subsequent mass harassment for back-packers. I had been hoping to get up into the peaks before they got too bad and time is running out for that.
So, one problem I see for any wilderness permits, be it Yosemite or NF Wilderness areas, is that we may well be able to get a permit or do a "self-permit" (as I was advised could be done by SNF/Clovis if all the permit information is displayed in the vehicle left at trail-head), but that permit would clearly show that one may have traveled from a great distance to get to the trail-head! Seeing as leisure (non essential) travel is not OK c/o the state of California, but the authorities are opening up National Parks/Forest areas...Ummmmm, if not a local, how does one get to Yosemite or NF Wildernesses to use that Wilderness Permit??? Yosemite and NF service areas opening up to visitors seems to blatantly contradict the CA state travel orders and supposed fines for that = Catch 22.
I have no problem wondering if I am able to keep excellent social distancing from my front door until return (absolutely yes), but I do wonder about advertising long distance "camping travel" to state or federal agencies...Anyone have any clearer understanding of this issue?
Thanks much ~ michaelzim