High Sierra Topix

I'm gearing up for a Yosemite adventure this October and could really use some local wisdom! This will be my first time visiting, so I'm eager to soak in all the fall foliage and breathtaking scenery the park offers. I'm particularly interested in recommendations for must see hiking trails and tips on spotting wildlife.

I'm still undecided between camping and lodging. Any insights on the pros and cons of each? Additionally, I'm planning to pack a good sleeping bag, but I'm unsure about the best sleeping pad for cooler temperatures. Any recommendations?

I'm also curious about food storage. I'm thinking about bringing bear canisters. Is that necessary for all areas of the park? Any other essentials I should pack? I recently purchased a travel towel, but I'm unsure if it's the right choice for Yosemite's conditions. Any thoughts on that?

I'm excited to explore Yosemite and can’t wait to hear from those who have experienced its beauty firsthand. Your tips and advice will be invaluable in planning my trip.

By "camping" do you mean in campgrounds or backpacking? I assumed you will camp at campgrounds and day-hike. It is difficult to get reservations to the standard campgrounds. If you backpack, you can stay at the backpacker's campground the night before and night after your trip. After Oct15, backpacker permits are self-register and easy to get.

Camp4 is an alternate campground where you park your car and walk in a short distance to shared campsites. You may be able to get a site without reservations, particularly later in October and on weekdays. Weekends things fill up fast. If you are going alone, Camp4 can be fun because you get to know other people. But if you want solitude, it is not the place to go.

You also may need a reservation just to get into Yosemite. I do not remember exactly when this requirement ends, but mid-October or so.

"Lodging" is quite expensive and again, in demand so getting a reservation may be difficult. Wawona Lodge may be easier to get into than Yosemite Lodge or Awahane. There is also a little lodge/cabins at White Wolf (Evergreen Lodge?)

There is plenty of great day-hiking from the Valley.

Other option is to camp outside the Valley and drive in every day for day-hikes. There is a new lodge fairly close to the Hwy 120 entrance- cannot remember the name and some fancy lodges on the road from Fresno. Also, lots of FS campgrounds down by Lee Vining (east side).

I think your options will mainly depend on getting reservations. You will just have to do the leg-work of seeing what is available for your time-frame.

WD wrote:

You also may need a reservation just to get into Yosemite. I do not remember exactly when this requirement ends, but mid-October or so.

YNP:

August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (September 2 and October 14).

hello bellaedward

We hope you can manage to get past all of Yosemite's red tape, and find the old Red Carpet. We love Yosemite, but dislike big crowds, and having to see the scenery through all of the cars. So if you are keen to see the classic views from down in the The Valley, we'd recommend that you go on the quietest days and times you can. It is most beautiful either really early in the morning, and around sunset. Note that you can always enter the park either before 5 AM, or after 4 PM without the hassle and expense at the entry kiosks. That could become your M.O. if you decide to use lodging outside of ther Park.

You have probably seen pictures of all of the classic viewpoints of The Valley, and know which you need to see, but we recommend that wherever possible, use the pullouts, park your car, and get out for short wanders to view the sights from off the road. This will also give you the best chance to see the many deer who roam The Valley. In October they will have impressive sharp antlers.
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Another set of views that we wouldn't want to miss are from up on Badger Ridge. That is also called the Glacier Point road. You can park and hike out to truly amazing vantage points, such as Dewey point (3.5 miles each way beginning at the Badger Ski area-- less if you can park on the road where the trail begins); Taft Point (~ 1 mi. each way); and Sentinel Dome (~ 3/4 mi.). Right off the road, ~ 1 mile before you reach the busy end of the road at Glacier Pt. itself, is Washburn Point, which is a quieter option with an equally stunning view out over Yosemite. You have to drive out of The Valley to get to the Glacier Pt road-- check that route before you go (unless of course you one of those people who carry cell phones-- then the machine can tell you what to do).


El Capitan and Cathedral Peaks from Dewey Point.


Washburn Point.


View east from Sentinel Dome.


Finally, if you choose to do long dayhikes, you can base yourself out of one of the campgrounds in Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows area. Walking up to the Cathedral Lakes is a favorite hike-- it's about 5-6 miles up to the Upper Cathedral Lake. Easier options are to make long or short hikes along the trails that begin right by Hwy 120, heading generally north out across the open meadows. The views back to the Cathedral Range are very nice, and you can find some solitude to gaze at it from. We often see a lot of wildlife out in the meadows; last time through I counted over 30 Buck Deer from the road, and also saw a few Marmots close up. The continuation of the drive through Yosemite on Hwy 120 is itself pretty stunning, and you can easily stop your car, and wander out into the high country from the road. "Dana Meadows" are the highest, and very beautiful at sunset. It is also a good place to see Coyotes. If you have the time to drive down the steep the eastern side of the range, through colorful Lee Vining Canyon, you will see many more mountains close up. Free dispersed camping around the south side of the jewel that is Mono Lake would give you yet another spectacular view of Yosemite's mountains-- the sunrise light on the Main Divide peaks of Yosemite is especially fine, and it would perhaps balance out the busy times in Yosemite's interior.


Cathedral Peak from Cathedral Lakes.


Good luck with your Yosemite travels.

p.s. Do let us know if you intend to backpack, or just take day hikes.

If car camping, you may be able to forego bringing a bear canister, provided the park indicates the campground is equipped with food lockers. Most, if not all, roadside campgrounds have toilet facilities, so the "travel towel" is necessary only on your day hikes, or if you wish for more than being TP clean. Fall colors are to be found in the valley floor, and other lower elevations of the park. Tuolumne Meadows is very beautiful, too, definitely worthy of a gander or three, but it is at higher elevation, thus less fall colors. If camping in Lee Vining, the valley, or other lower elevations, I'd bring a 20⁰F bag for October temps. You should be ok with an uninsulated sleeping pad, focus more on the soft comfy aspect of your pad. But if you camp in the upper elevations of the park, I'd bring a 10 bag, and an insulated sleeping pad if you have one. But you should be able to get by without the insulating properties if one is not at hand. You can always pack along some comforters just in case your primary sleeping arrangement lacks warmth or cushioning. Some campgrounds, especially outside of Lee Vining along Hwy120, lack potable water (you get it down the road at the ranger station). Therefore you'll need a bulk storage container for your water supply. I like to bring a modest area light for car camping, in addition to a headlamp. If boondocking, a lawn chair and small table will greatly improve your in-camp comfort.

Ed

Thanks for all the great tips on camping gear! I recently bought a travel towel that I’m really happy with, but I’m struggling to find other quality items like it. Since I’ll be doing some car camping soon, do you have any recommendations for similar gear that’s reliable and easy to pack? I’m also considering what else I might need, especially for those higher elevation spots like Tuolumne Meadows.

What on Earth is a "travel towel?" I take a standard bandana for a variety of uses, including for washing my face, and for toweling off after the very rare jump in the lake.
My favorite item for both backpacking and car camping/day-hiking is a lightweight set of binoculars. It greatly enhances the enjoyment of wildlife viewing. My current set of Vortex Vanquish 10x26 weigh 12.7 oz. One long view of a Bear makes them worth the weight and the ~ $100.00 cost-- IMO.

https://shop.opticsplanet.com/vortex-va ... UoEALw_wcB

Harlen wrote: ↑Mon Aug 12, 2024 2:35 pm What on Earth is a "travel towel?" I take a standard bandana for a variety of uses, including for washing my face, and for toweling off after the very rare jump in the lake.
My favorite item for both backpacking and car camping/day-hiking is a lightweight set of binoculars. It greatly enhances the enjoyment of wildlife viewing. My current set of Vortex Vanquish 10x26 weigh 12.7 oz. One long view of a Bear makes them worth the weight and the ~ $100.00 cost-- IMO.

https://shop.opticsplanet.com/vortex-va ... UoEALw_wcB

Binoculars are definitely a must have for wildlife lovers!! Those Vortex Vanquish sound great. As for travel towels, they're a game changer for hikers and campers. Super lightweight, quick-drying, and compact, they're a perfect addition to your gear. Check out options here: https://www.dealsandstealstoday.com/

Does this post feel like a bot to you guys? Seems off. No one loves travel towels this much.

bellaedward wrote:

Binoculars are definitely a must have for wildlife lovers!! Those Vortex Vanquish sound great. As for travel towels, they're a game changer for hikers and campers. Super lightweight, quick-drying, and compact, they're a perfect addition to your gear.

C9h13no3 wrote:

Does this post feel like a bot to you guys? Seems off. No one loves travel towels this much.

You may be onto something Sam, but just in case, I am going to buy 10 Travel towels, and fill the interstices of me pack with 'em.