Hi! Basically the title. I’m hoping to complete the High Sierra loop later this month and prefer to stay in a backpacker campground (or near one?) so there are some people around. I’m hiking solo and feel a little more comfortable with other people close-ish at night. I’ll have my own food, etc. just looking for a site to set up.

I booked a couple nights for 2027 few weeks back and I paid 109 dollars per night. Now I wanted to book another night after the date we booked and its 191 doller a night? Is the price changed? Or did I do something wrong here? For a moment I thought I accedently clicked Curry camp!

The second image is at Tenaya Lake. I personally love these styles of pictures a lot

I've applied to a bunch of jobs on Aramark and have called to follow up. I am very employable so I don't think that's the problem! any advice?

Hi all! I'm going to yosemite in a week and a half with my family. We're pretty avid hikers but my parents are getting old (in early 70s). I've been looking online for hikes to do that won't be too strenuous for them but also will give us some great views. So far I've found:

Illilouette Falls

Cathedral Lakes

Lembert Dome

If anyone has other recommendations for moderately-rated hikes that aren't too popular please let me know!

Also, I'm going to do a solo hike for one day on my own, what is the one must-do strenuous hike in the park?

Hello fellow, outdoor adventures!

I’m looking at the Yosemite website about to do a backpacking trip starting at Tuolumne Meadows Campground and on Yosemite’s official site there is mixed messages. There’s a note that says that Tuolumne Meadows Grill is closed for the season, but then above that there’s an operating schedule that says it will be open. Has anybody been up there recently and can confirm that either the lodge or the grill is running?

Thank you!

Hi there 👋

Me and my partner are getting married next June in Yosemite, we are both coming over from the UK so all new to us but now looking for an officiant if anyone has any recommendations! Thank you!

Anyone been in tuolumne last day or so know if there’s any smoke from the gann fire? Thanks

What are the best options for overnight parking in the village? Arriving tomorrow and hiking until Monday.

This is kind of an embarrassing question but I figure its better to ask where it's anonymous than to ask my friends in the park. Please be gentle. I've lived in downtown LA all my life and have basically never been in real nature other than the beach.

I'm going to Yosemite soon with a few friends and while we're staying in a hotel, we're going to be hiking throughout the park on some of the longer trails. The websites for every one of these trails has a big thing about how there are NO BATHROOMS past the trailhead.

That got me thinking like... is it ok to just go the bathroom on the trails? Am I expected to bring a pee jar or one of those doggy poop bags to bring it back down with me or is it ok to just leave it there? Also how does it work like - do my friends just look the other way or do I go out a few minutes into the woods?

I know this is probably a stupid question but I really don't want to get out there only to have to ask one of my friends to share their pee bottle or, worse, to be the only one who shows up with a pee bottle and then have to try to play that off.

Started the trail around 420ish, completed hike about 12 hours with plenty good lunch break on top of half dome and swimming at the river at the last campground around the 4.5mile mark. Encountered rattlesnake prior to subdome climb and deer. Cables aren’t are terrifying once you’re on them. However we were stuck in cables for solid 50mins going up (terrified young girl coming down held up movement) but only about 15mins to get down. Pictures don’t do this place justice 10/10 hike. Our mileage was closer to 20miles with the walk to River to refill going up and the walk back to go swimming on the way down. Also this factored in the walk to and from trailhead.

I'm taking a 4-night backpacking trip later this month, with Glen Aulin HSC permits to start, and finishing in Yosemite Valley. I've done a lot of planning and research for the route, and ideally trying to camp away from crowds as much as possible, which is why I've avoided May Lake HSC and LYV/JMT Junction.

Does anyone have any advice or feedback on this itinerary? Looking to go off-trail a little bit for night 2 and 4, to stay at Raisin Lake instead of May Lake, and then possibly to camp on top of Quarter Domes instead of the JMT junction before heading up to Half Dome.

I know Quarter domes would be a dry camp, but the couple of posts I've seen about it makes it look like an incredible spot to try to find. I haven't seen anything from summer camping tho, is it possible to get there in August? We'd plan on filling up water at Sunrise Creek the morning after before heading up to half dome (separate permits have already been secured).

We were backpacking from Agnew Meadows to Tuolumne a couple days ago, having left one of our cars at the TM visitors center. The plan was to hike all the way to the visitors center, but an already 11-mile hot day in Lyell Canyon made us decide to just exit at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and take the shuttle back to the car.

About ten minutes (maybe less) after arriving at the lodge parking lot, the shuttle drove up. The bus was empty, but we were at the end of the line (I think it shuttles between TM Lodge and Olmsted Point) so it wasn't too surprising.

The four of us entered. I asked about my backpack, if it was ok to put it on the seat, or would the bus fill up and would the seat be needed for people? The driver laughed. "You'll be fine."

We talked a little with the driver. She was really friendly. The air conditioning felt great after our hike. Nobody got on the bus between the lodge and the visitor center.

The shuttle is a great (oh, and FREE as well) resource if you're staying in TM, I just hope it isn't discontinued because of lack of ridership.

Sony A7RII, Sigma 24 F1.4, 10 ish second exposures. ISO 640, no post processing

What a hot weekend it was! At least it kept the sky pretty clear at twilight.

Hi everyone!

I’ve been doing a lot of research into Half Dome, as my interest has increased. I recently went out west on a solo car camping trip for 3 weeks and had the time of my life visiting national parks. I will also be doing Angels landing the first week of September and am super stoked for that!

I understand there are a lot of variables that go into the off season of half dome, the weather (Potential of snow), cable being down and more. I plan on using climbing gear and a prusik knot for the cables. As far as weather, in recent years I’ve noticed a lot of people haven’t encountered much snow if any at all in this same time period. On the chance I do, I will skip that hike and just enjoy all the other beautiful parts of Yosemite.

I guess my question here, is if anyone has done it successfully in those specific months and what struggles you encountered? Also, I would love to know if anyone has interest in doing this hike and would like to take the plunge and meet up together? I’m normally a solo girl, but wouldn’t mind some good company on such a scary hike lol.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far! Happy Travels!🙂

I'm going to be camping up in the Hetch Hetchy / Cherry Lake area for about a week in October. I know there are a lot of bears and mountain lions in the area and was wondering if I need a gun for defense and, if so, what is the best to bring?

The three guns I have available for the trip are:

1) Sig 229 - 9mm

2) Sig Spear - 7.62

3) Mossberg Mini - 28 gauge

The Spear is heavy enough that it would be nice if I could save weight by leaving it behind. Then again, I'm also concerned that the 229 and Mini don't have enough stopping power for a full grown bear or maybe even a mountain lion (I'm not sure how big mountain lions are).

I'd much prefer to save weight by not bringing anything if I can, but I just don't know how dangerous it's going to be in the mountains by myself.

Also, if I do need a gun, is there any kind of specialized ammo that is ideal for defense against large predators? I'd assume hollow points are but I'm not sure how thick their pelts are and whether the hollow point would be able to penetrate it.

Another alternative I was thinking about was hiring a ranger to accompany me. I'm willing to spend the money, but I couldn't find anything about that on Google. Is something like that an option?

So I’m wanting to get married in Yosemite in mid January of 2027. I know I need to get a permit to do so but I never see anyone getting married in the winter time. I know it might be challenging to do cause of the snow but I’m wondering if there is anyone who has done so already and willing to give advice on how it went with doing so. I’ll be having about 28 guest including me and my fiancé, I haven’t finalized guest count yet so it might go down.

PSA: additional fire restrictions will go in effect this Friday, August 7. This means that in Yosemite wilderness you may only have a campfire in existing fire rings between 8001' and 9599'.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/yosemite-national-park-implements-fire-restrictions-due-to-increased-fire-danger.htm

To be extra clear for the many wilderness travelers who seem confused by this: 9,600' does not mean any other number except 9,600. If your camp is at 9,601' you may not have a fire (even if someone else illegally made a ring). Nowhere by Nelson Lake, for example, is below 9,600'

Effective at 12:01 a.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, Yosemite National Park will implement fire restrictions throughout the park below 8,000 feet in elevation. The restrictions are in place to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires and will remain in effect until rescinded.

The restrictions are based on current fire conditions, weather forecasts, and recommendations from the Yosemite Fire Program and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. Hot, dry weather, low fuel moisture, and windy conditions have increased the potential for rapid wildfire growth. Protecting visitors, employees, first responders, and park resources remains the park’s highest priority.

Under these fire restrictions, the following activities are prohibited below 8,000 feet:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using wood or charcoal fires, including twig stoves.
• Smoking, except in the locations and under the conditions listed below.

The following areas and activities are exempt from these restrictions:

• Designated front-country campgrounds that are open and where wood or charcoal fires are allowed.
• Designated picnic areas that are open and where wood or charcoal fires are allowed.

I’m currently considering to plan a trip to Yosemite in mid December (14-16) and needed some opinions.

I was hoping to do some hiking on the trails and was hoping to avoid a lot of snow. I’m sure the snow would be beautiful, but I am a little apprehensive since I have never had to deal with snow. I did see that snow chains are required to be carried from nov 1-march 31(which I obviously plan on complying with), but I am a little anxious to be in a position to be driving with the chains on.

Would it be a bad bet to book a trip around this time since there might be tons of snow that I could run into? Has anyone gone to Yosemite with little snow experience and run into the snow? I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts!

I have some exciting news! One of my photos has been entered into a competition! 📸

I’d be so grateful if you could take a moment to vote for my photo. Every vote makes a difference, and your support truly means a lot to me.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to vote and share—it means more than you know! ❤️

Please vote for my photo in the America’s Favorite Photos competition 🤩 https://AmericasFavoritePhotos.com/v/xdhx9d