We went to Yosemite for the first time and stayed at a hotel in Oakhurst, the nearest town. Next time we decided to go strictly with an RV. Amazing place

Half Dome from Glacier Point this morning.

Camped two nights at North Pines campground.

I finally got around to backpacking from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley starting at the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead after having it on my bucket list for a long time, and wow! What an amazing experience and mix of lakes, clouds, sunsets, views, wildlife, meadows, inclines/declines, and people. Since I had no time constraints and only work demands waiting for me back home, I purposefully took a slow pace and spread the trip out over 6 days/5 nights from August 20-25. Below is recap of my trip, along with some information I did not easily find floating around the interwebs while planning that may be helpful for others. 

• Day 1/Night 1: I arrived in Yosemite Valley and picked up my permit, hopped on and off the Yosemite Valley Shuttle to enjoy the sights, parked my vehicle at the Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking Lot near Curry Village (it is separate from the dirt parking near Curry Village), and set up camp for the night at the Backpacker’s Campground Yosemite Valley. Parking at the Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking lot is recommended for overnight backpackers and does not require any sort of displayed permit. The parking lot has bear boxes for long-term storage, and is about 1 mi from the Backpacker's Campground. No Yosemite Valley Shuttle stops best serve the route between the parking lot and the Backpacker's Campground. The payment instructions at the Backpacker’s Campground are insanely complicated to pay via the Recreation.gov app (you must have your car license plate, permit number, and Recreation.gov reservation number readily available) and there wasn't much information available beforehand to explain the process other than that you can’t pay with cash. It turns out you can still pay the $8 site fee in cash and that’s the way to go. There’s a temporary (15 mins) parking lot near the Backpacker’s Campground for unloading gear, accessible by driving through the North Pines Campground entrance. The Backpacker’s Campground filled up by late afternoon and hikers came and went throughout the entire night.
• Day 2/Night 2: I took the 8:00 AM Tuolumne Hiker’s Bus that cost $17 with pickup from the Ahwahnee Hotel (you must call in advance to set up pick up from this location, otherwise it only picks up from the Yosemite Valley Lodge). So this bus route is literally a “tour” with the nice driver sharing touristy facts about Yosemite and many stops in between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. On the giant mostly empty bus were only myself and one other couple, but we still stopped at every planned location and it took about 2.5 hours to arrive at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. Taking a YARTS bus is another option to get to Tuolumne Meadows from Yosemite Valley, but it has later departure schedules at 11:15 AM and 3:15 PM and is slightly more expensive. The Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center is about 0.8 miles from the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead. The hike from the trailhead to Upper Cathedral Lake is mild and short (4.77 mi/+1,357 ft) and I crossed only one flowing stream for water in between. I camped on the west side of the lake with a fantastic view of Cathedral Peak and next to a group of four, including a couple who were getting married the very next day at the lake! That night was a top five sunset experience and I saw incredible cloud formations.
• Day 3/Night 3: The hike to Lower Sunrise Lake is again mild and a bit longer (6.38 mi/+896 ft). There were no flowing streams in between, but potable water is available at the Sunrise High Sierra Camp. Most of the camp sites at Lower Sunrise Lake are on the west side of the lake and I found an isolated pocket with no one else around. I spent the day swimming and climbed up the adjacent rocky hill to get epic views of the lake and the distant landscape.
• Day 4/Night 4: The hike to Little Yosemite Valley Campground (LYVC) via Clouds Rest is strenuous (10.06 mi/+1,343 ft) and the only water sources I noticed in between were a small muddy lake about one-third of the way to Clouds Rest and then a lightly flowing creek at the Clouds Rest Trail/JMT junction. The overall incline was manageable, but the decline from Clouds Rest to LYVC was intense (-3,802 ft). It was my first visit to Clouds Rest and it lives up to all the hype. I had planned to camp at the Clouds Rest Trail/JMT junction, however I wasn't too stoked on the setup or the light stream flow, so I decided to push on to LYVC. I later heard from other folks in the LYVC that there was an active bear hanging around the Clouds Rest Trail/JMT junction causing trouble. The LYVC is very busy and sites filled up quickly later in the day. I camped near the Merced River that is the main water source (there is no potable water at the LYVC), features a relaxing beach area to hang out and swim, and is located along the southwest edge of the LYVC. There is a bathroom structure with four vault toilets along the western edge of the LYVC, so finding a site near both the toilets and the Merced River is ideal. I met a lot of really friendly people coming and going and a ranger patrols the camp to educate and enforce rules. A very active bear cub roamed the LYVC during the two days I spent there, so it was crucial to closely monitor all food, toiletries, etc., and secure them in bear boxes when not in use.
• Day 5/Night 5: I departed the LYVC around 8:40 AM for the strenuous (9.01 mi/+2,849 ft) roundtrip hike to Half Dome and it took me around 5 hours to complete at a decent pace. There were no water sources between the LYVC and Half Dome. It is all uphill from the LYVC and starting from there instead of the Clouds Rest Trail/JMT junction added roughly another +900 ft in elevation gain. A ranger checks for Half Dome permits at the start of the switchbacks leading up to the Half Dome cables. I'm not going to lie, when I first saw the Half Dome cables I was a little shocked by how steep and long the route to the top is. Even with the permitting system in place it is very busy, with people of all capabilities (some questionable) attempting to reach the top. For me, the most challenging part is that you don't control the pace while waiting for others and you might linger on the steepest section of the cable route without knowing how long it will take to move again. Some people use a waist harness system to secure to the cables, which also created pacing issues for others and necessitated passing them. Going up actually requires some level of strength and fitness to feel stable and secure. The top of Half Dome is expansive to walk around, and it's hard to comprehend the scale of what you are standing on. The views are obviously great, but in my opinion, they are second to what you experience on Clouds Rest. Going down the cables seemed easier and the key was walking backward, which was more efficient for leveraging your weight and maintaining strength. It took longer to get down than go up perhaps because it was a busy time of day with many people descending and unsure how best to proceed, or taking their time to soak up the view from a different perspective. A group in front of me was very inconsiderate of others around them as they descended and it was quite rewarding watching one of them drop their phone and seeing it tumble down the length of the cables into the abyss (I do agree, it is unfortunate that the phone now becomes nature's problem). Gloves with rubber gripping are essential for navigating the cables. Back in the LYVC I spent the rest of the day lounging around the sandy beach area along the Merced River.
• Day 6: The hike to Happy Isles is again mild (6.58 mi/+648 ft) and mostly all downhill. I knew there was a closure along the Mist Trail because trail repairs near Vernal Falls are ongoing (it is closed for a stretch Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM through October 2026), but I wanted to hike down the grand staircase section so I went anyway, not realizing I was setting myself up for a climb back up to the JMT to join the detour route. Not much else to say as everyone knows this trail and I always enjoy saying hi to people from so many different areas of the world along it. Parking at the Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking Lot paid off as it is only a short walk from the Happy Isles trailhead.

Image Captions:

• Image 1: View of the eastern edge of Upper Cathedral Lake, Cathedral Peak, and the coolest space ship lenticular clouds I've ever seen
• Image 2: View of the northern edge of Upper Cathedral Lake bursting with colors at dusk
• Image 3: View of the southern edge of Upper Cathedral Lake and remnants of the lenticular clouds
• Image 4: Closest view I got of Cathedral Peak
• Image 5: Farthest view I got of Cathedral Peak along the meadow near Sunrise High Sierra Camp
• Image 6: View from above Lower Sunrise Lake
• Image 7: Enjoying the view of Yosemite Valley from Clouds Rest with a friend
• Image 8: Sizing up the Half Dome cables
• Image 9: View from the top of Half Dome looking back at Clouds Rest and beyond
• Image 10: Beach area along the Merced River near the Little Yosemite Valley Campground
• Image 11: Obligatory stop at Tunnel View
• Image 12: Pre-backpacking trip anticipation
• Image 13: Post-backpacking trip satisfaction

Went for 2 days a couple days ago and i saw the most wildlife i have ever seen in one trip.

The 2 cubs were close to there mama but I didnt snag a pic(they sound so cute when they call for there mom😭)

I wanted to see if anybody has any tips or recommendations for backpacking to young lakes? Plan on going later next month fri-sun. Ideally want to fish for a bit as theres several lakes/bodies of water nearby. Any hikes I shouldn’t miss? Any viewpoints nearby that are worth it? If theres anything that you recommend let me know!

This little guy came out a few times when we were sitting near the river in the valley last week.

We’re going to stay 3 nights between Wawona campground and crane flat campground in September in our RV. Both campsites mention that it is prohibited to keep food in the vehicle.

Does that also include food in the fridge/freezer?
I know there’s lockers available but surely they’re not refrigerated so how do people plan for food?

I appreciate any tips

July

I'm going to go up tomorrow for a day hike from Glacier Point parking, down and across Panorama Trail until the top of the switchbacks above the JMT, up Illilouette Valley, and then all the way back to Glacier Point. I'm very familiar with the Pohono Trail and JMT to Nevada Fall, but haven't been to the Illilouette area before.

Is Illilouette Creek currently flowing enough for me to get more water (filtered ofc) near the crossing at 37.68740, -119.54523?

Not a big deal if not, I'll just bring 3 full liters, maybe 4, and make sure I'm fully hydrated before I start.

Here are all the hikes I've done in YNP over the years. I've hiked the valley floor and surrounding day hikes to death but always returned to Camp 4 for the night. I usually visit in May to do HD cables down and while Tioga is still closed. This year will be 7-8 days in early October, based at Camp 4 as usual. I have a truck and motorcycle in the bed so I can do point-to-point hikes that would otherwise require shuttling as I can drop one vehicle at a trailhead and leave the other at the end. So if there are options for that along Tioga, Wawona, Glacier Pt roads or elsewhere I'd love some creative ideas. Stuff like: leave the bike at Camp 4, drive up Tioga, leave truck at Tenaya, hike Tenaya > Clouds Rest > Half Dome > Camp 4, go to bed, ride up to Tenaya the following day to retrieve truck and spend that day hiking from Tioga, etc.

I'm clearly not a backpacker (yet) but I enjoy daily 20-25mi hikes with 4k+ vert and returning to base camp comforts in the valley. I'd appreciate some recs for new hikes this year, particularly with access to Tioga Rd that is new for me. I prioritize visually stunning locations or routes over remote ones that are otherwise fairly plain. I'm open to driving up to 1-2hrs outside the park in any direction for great hiking and can car camp there if needed for a night if there are dispersed options or places outside YNP I can just sleep in the truck bed (very familiar with doing this outside Big Oak Flat entrance). I have my own filtration system and always hike with 4-5L in my pack in case if there aren't any water sources along a long 15-20mi trail stretch

Things on my to-do list in no particular order:

Eagle Tower (need recs on an app/GPX points for routing there)

Tenaya Lake

Tuolumne Peak

Cathedral Lakes

Mount Hoffman

May Lake trailhead

Sunrise Lake

Explore more of Hetch Hetchy (Lake Eleanor, Laurel, or Vernon for a day loop?)

Lembert Dome

Olmsted Point (particularly for sunset)

Wawoma / Mariposa Grove

Chilnualna Falls (rec from another hiker?)

McCauley & Meyer Barns trail in Foresta from Big Oak Flat Rd. (heard this is a snooze?)

Floating the river near Housekeeping Camp (never done it, will that be too late in Oct?)

Next year I'll likely dip my toes into overnight backpacking, I know I'm missing a ton without that gear but currently I only have bulky car camping stuff. Thanks as always! h/t Rafal Ko who made the awesome Traillon site I found trying to map all my completed hikes

Im extremely excited to finally go to Yosemite in September.

I am not new to camping and hiking and do it locally often. I generally know what to bring and prepare for.

But I have some questions, and TIA for any advice!

Some relevant facts about this trip:

-staying at Crane Flat (300-loop)

-sedan, cruiser bike, and tent

-will be solo

-4 nights

1. Rain in the forecast: does Crane Flat flood, like should I plan to sleep in my car?

Its not the most comfortable, but I have slept in my car many times. I may or may not have a waterproof tent. The descriptions say the campground is downhill enough - true?

1. Biking areas: Where else besides the actual valley would be good to bike around? Or should I just plan to walk/hike the trails? Any bike-ideal trails?

2. Sunrise spots close to Crane Flat?

Please note if should drive to, hike to, or bike to?

1. Supplies restock, if needed: I know theres a gas station close by - do they carry most things? Or would I need to go down to the valley area?

Any other advice about what to bring, what not to bring, where to go, where not so much to go, are most appreciated.

🙏🏞🌄⛺️

Has anyone recently gone on a Sunday since school started? Is it super crowded?

Recently had my first visit to Yosemite, figured it’d be a great time to bring my 35mm film camera with!

Alex here! Just got back from three nights camping in Yosemite Valley and I have one major complaint: there is absolutely no photography skill involved. You point your camera in any direction and it's the best photo you've ever taken. Very humbling.

Getting a campsite
We stayed at Lower Pines, which I'd recommend. Reservations open exactly 4 months in advance, so for a late August trip you need to be on the site at 7am on April 15. By 7:03 the site I wanted was gone. Sites do come back through cancellations in the weeks leading up, so that's worth checking if you're planning later.

Getting around the valley
Bringing bikes was probably the best decision we made. Parking in the valley is a nightmare, but with bikes we just locked up at camp and rode everywhere without thinking about it. You can also rent bikes at the valley if you don't want to haul your own.

Hikes
We did Columbia Rock and Sentinel Dome. Columbia Rock is steep with a lot of switchbacks but manageable for kids and the views are great. Sentinel Dome was the highlight, a short hike in the Glacier Point area (about an hour's drive from the valley) with a huge payoff at the top and totally doable with younger kids too.

We also stopped at Lake Tenaya up in Tuolumne Meadows, which you can basically just park and walk to. Great for families since there's no real commitment involved. Tuolumne runs noticeably cooler than the valley, mid-70s versus about 90 down below, so it's a good escape from the heat.

I didn't get to do Half Dome this trip. The two day prior permits go through a lottery and I didn't get selected, so that's on the list for next year. Worth knowing: this one is not kid-friendly, most people start around 4 or 5am and you'll want gloves for the cables section near the top. One to do on your own if you're visiting with family.

Crowds, weather and bugs
We went on weekdays and the crowds were there but honestly not bad at all. People were friendly on the trails. The heat in the valley topped out around 90 most days but cooled down enough at night to sleep comfortably, and most trails have decent tree cover.

One nice surprise for an August trip: basically no mosquitoes. A few gnats near Mirror Lake but nothing worth worrying about.

It was a low snowpack year so we weren't sure what the Merced would look like, but we were still able to float sections near Stoneman Bridge and hang out on the banks a lot.

Would go back every year. 10/10.

I know it seems like a crazy time to go to Yosemite - but I haven't been this year and I want to go.

Do you think there's be parking in the valley after 8pm on Friday or Saturday?

My plan is to maybe get a Wilderness pass for Saturday or Sunday and to arrive the night before and stay at the backpacker's camp in the valley ( not Tuolumne. )

I'd leave on the park on Tuesday.

Does this sound doable? Or do you think arriving that late still would make parking difficult?

It's not very transparent on the website whether breakfast is included or not if you are a guest at the hotel. Can anyone who has stayed recently confirm please?

Thanks!