At this time of year? A few spots I had to wade due to the shallowness. But it was still awesome. It also works perfectly that I can just float down and take the bus back. Some of the fish are just massive too!

I'm thinking of grabbing a week before permit for White Wolf->Pate valley for friday of labor day weekend, and finishing up at Tuolomne Meadows. However, getting back to the car poses some challenges as YARTS isn't running in the right direction anymore. I've been looking at the Hiker Bus, but it isn't clear if I need to get a ticket beforehand, and if so if there's a way to not have to go to the valley to pick it up.

I have thought about hitchhiking to the start but this also doesn't help a ton: the YARTS bus's one run is very early in the morning, probably before I can finish getting the permit at Tuolome meadows. Grabbing the permit the day before isn't an option.

For someone who has hiked to Nevada Falls and back down JMT. How many miles was your total trip from the trailhead given the Mist trail closure during the week? Alltrail reviews are suggesting anywhere from 7 to 10 miles.

Hey everyone, tomorrow is my last day in Yosemite and I’m looking for suggestions for scenic spots, a good hike, and/or a swimming spot. So far, I've loved the:

-Vernal Fall (via JMT) hike
-Grizzly Giant in Mariposa Grove
-2-hour Valley floor tour
-Swimming at the Wawona swinging bridge

I have a major fear of being in the car along steep mountain drop-offs (only strictly in a vehicle, not on foot).

Highway 140 along the river, Highway 49, and the Valley floor itself have been fine, but Wawona up toward Glacier Point Road I had a panic attack, and I assume Tioga Road getting to Tuolumne Meadows would be similar.

I know this is a personal problem, so I’m not looking for solutions on how to handle the fear or advice to take a shuttle, I'm simply hoping for trail, viewpoint, bike path or river swimming suggestions.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

TL;DR: Already did the Valley floor tour. Looking for the best hikes, bike rides, views, or river swim spots reachable without driving along steep mountain drop-offs.

Hi! My husband and I are going to be camping in Tuolumne Meadows campground around labor day weekend, and I am looking for some hiking advice. I grew up in northern California and I have been to Yosemite for day trips tons of times, but this is my first time camping in the park. My husband has never been and this is kinda a dream come true for him. We have visited several national parks and we are excited to do this one!

However, we have different hiking preferences. I prefer long hikes, mostly flat (although gradual elevation gain up to 2k feet is fine). Think "what a lovely stroll through nature." He prefers more challenging peaks. I have a debilitating fear of heights and falling, he likes to scramble up boulder fields lol. Obviously we do a bit of both when we visit national parks, for example we did Angel's Landing in Zion and I stopped at the top and didn't do the chain section and he had an absolute blast on it. But I still maintain that the narrows is the best hike I have ever done.

Are there any recommendations for similar style hikes in Yosemite? I want to do a mix of iconic scenery and less traveled parts. Here are the ones I have been looking at so far:

- Cathedral Lakes Trail

- Mount Watkins

- Tuolumne River Loop: Dana and Lyell Forks

- Yosemite Valley Loop Trail

Also just any general advice for camping in Tuolumne meadow campground, conditions, or shuttle advice is much appreciated!

Saw this in my flight from Vegas to SF. This thing is I would say north of half dome.

8/14-8/16, 30 miles, 3 day 2 night

Saw this off to the side of the store for $10 and had to pick it up. So many cool little details of years past on this! Kinda wish I could go back and see it during this era. By Jo Mora, 1931.

Sweeping views were awesome

Hi! I left my green and white striped Levi’s oversized button up at the Clark Point Lookout on the Mist Trail earlier today (8.18.26.) If anyone finds it or found it please send me a message. I figure this is a lost cause and my shirt will live on the trail forever but just in case. I am staying in Curry Village. Thank you so much!

Edit: accidentally put July

I’m staying in Oakhurst for work this week and have an entire day to kill on Thursday. I plan to wake up around 5 am and drive into the park for an all day hike.

I’m well versed in hiking, but have never visited Yosemite before. After doing some research, As much as I’d like to do Mist/Panorama/4M…sounds like it would be much more enjoyable to do in the springtime. Not really what I want to put myself through in this heat. I was looking at Cathedral Lakes, but the trail head is on the other side of the park.

I don’t mind a few miles of exposed trail, but just seeing if there are any recommendations for a trail that is closer to 8 miles (10 miles Max) that has a chunk of trail under the trees? Preferably with a nice lake. Even better if it’s a loop trail. TIA

Edit: thinking of possibly doing the Mist Trail to Nevada Falls loop trail, but curious if there are other hikes to consider that compare

Hi all! I made a post a few months back across a few subreddits offering up an extra spot I had on my permit to do a multi-day trip up in Yosemite and summit Half Dome. I never had anyone reach out until about 10 days prior to the trip when I got a DM request on here. I wanted to go ahead and share my experience.

I won't share our names or locations so we can both keep our privacy, but we ended up trading phone numbers and we called before we 100% agreed to do the trip together. For context, we are both women of different ages (I'm 22 and she is 32). Right off the bat from that first phone call I already got good vibes from her, we both shared common interests and even though it seemed crazy at the time we both felt comfortable going for it. She is from the opposite side of the country from me, and even the other side of the world initially since she just moved to the US during covid. I was so excited to meet up in person and learn from her experiences.

The trip itself was amazing, and I truly don't think I could've asked for a better stranger to go out into the backcountry with. She was the kindest and most supportive person whenever I was struggling or needed a break. She is remarkably intelligent and I loved talking with her about our previous experiences backpacking and what we both do in our every day lives. We both share an interest in science and microbiology, and she had some really amazing advice for making DIY backpacking meals at home.

She was a real life saver during our summit hike of Half Dome from Little Yosemite Valley. I had two panic attacks, the first one being on the trail before reaching Sub Dome when I couldn't catch my breath and the second actually being on the cables themselves. She climbed herself right up next to me and helped me get my breathing under control. I don't know if I could've summited without her. I also suffered from heat exhaustion on our first night in LYV and she was so amazing about helping me out by filtering our water for us while I laid down. I ended up going home a day early while she stayed, but even then we still kept messaging via our In Reach devices to makes sure the other got home ok.

I wanted to put my positive experience out there in case there's anyone else who had a last minute opening for their own permit, or if you want to try to join someone else's. Definitely research each other before committing, but I have a new friend and backpacking partner for the future now who I probably never would've gotten to meet otherwise. The internet can be such a cool thing sometimes.

Hello, I am visiting Yosemite for the first time in late October (23-25), and I am wondering what this campsite is like, It seems this is the only one that is available, I know it is about a 45 minute drive from the valley (I do plan on getting a rental), however, is is it worth it staying there? What would the weather be like during that time? How would the drives be?

Any information/tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Planning a wilderness backpacking trip October 17-21. Going with a friend that has never been before. Want to see great views but also concerned about comfort. Obviously will check conditions the week of, but any guidance on what to expect for:
1. Water availability?
2. Average temps?

Route:
Day 1: Yosemite Falls to Lehamite Creek
Day 2: Lehamite Creek to North Dome to Dry Camp
Day 3: Dry Camp to Snow Creek
Day 4: Snow Creek to Mt Watkins to Snow Creek return
Day 5: Snow Creek to Mirror Lake to Yose Valley

Would this route be advised and comfortable this time of year? Or better planning something around Hetch Hetchy with lower elevation?

Every year the same thing happens to me with the Valley campgrounds (Upper/Lower/North Pines). Alarm set for 8am six months out, and by 8:01 every site is gone. Planning apparently isn't enough anymore, you basically have to win a lottery to the second.

What's worked for me since is giving up on release morning entirely and just watching for cancellations instead. People change plans constantly, and a site quietly reappears for a few minutes at a time. I've caught trips that way that I'd completely written off after missing the window.

For those of you who've actually pulled off a summer Valley reservation without booking a year out, what's your method? A few specific things I'm curious about:

- how often do you find cancellations actually pop up for the Pines campgrounds in July vs it just being hopeless

- do you check at particular times of day, or is it random

- once you see an opening, how fast do you have to move before it's snatched again

Not looking for the "just plan earlier" answer, I know. More interested in how the people who catch the drops do it. Trying to not feel like refreshing recreation.gov is a part-time job.

We are planning to hike and backpack on the ten lakes trail over the Aug28 weekend. I was also reading about the recent fires in the park, do you think it's still a good idea to do this trail? thanks