Camping at Yosemite

[Vtec44]

Keri and I are planning a 1-week trip to Yosemite next year, either in May or September. We've been there several times, but have never been able to conquer the famous Half Dome hike, ie route closed due to snow, cable damaged, me being out of shape. So, this time we're planning to finally do it and also visit Glacier Point. We'll stay near Curry Village, most likely at Upper Pines campground. The trail is about 8 miles one way, going from about 3000ft elevation to about 8000ft. Here are some pictures of the final leg of the hike. :D

It's a very popular destination, especially during Spring and Summer so there's a 4 months in advance for reservation. If you're interested, let us know.

Reservation made: Sept 7th-12th, 2008.

http://www.ulfhethnar.com/HalfDome.jpg (http://www.ulfhethnar.com/HalfDome.jpg)[/url]
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/07/07/ba_halfdome_mjm_165.jpg (http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/07/07/ba_halfdome_mjm_165.jpg)
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/07/07/ba_halfdome_mjm_152.jpg (http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/07/07/ba_halfdome_mjm_152.jpg)
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/07/07/ba_halfdome_mjm_57.jpg (http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/07/07/ba_halfdome_mjm_57.jpg)
http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/07/07/ba_halfdome_crop_mjm_93.jpg (http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/07/07/ba_halfdome_crop_mjm_93.jpg)
http://www.florencewong.com/Pic/2006_06_17%20Yosemite%20Half%20Dome/IMG_4970.JPG (http://www.florencewong.com/Pic/2006_06_17%20Yosemite%20Half%20Dome/IMG_4970.JPG)

You'll be at the tallest peak of the park, looking down to the entire valley floor
http://ken.motives.com/yosemite/pics/yose136_gp_hd_t.jpg (http://ken.motives.com/yosemite/pics/yose136_gp_hd_t.jpg)

[Vtec44]

We should be maing our reservation for this any time now. You can make reservation up to 4 months in advance, and usually it's completely booked up! This place is extremely popular.

[NomadRip]

Dammit! I keep missing out on this...one of these days we just have to go DO it. Such a great-looking hike, and no place else like it.

[Vtec44]

Reservation has been made, Sept 7th-12th!!!!!!!!

[Vtec44]

We'll probably head out to Mt Whitney a few weeks before to train for the long hike up Half Dome.

[Vtec44]

This Half Dome hiker was stuck in this position for over 5 hours before he was finally rescued...

http://www.hikehalfdome.com/images/fall_best.JPG

[NomadRip]

This Half Dome hiker was stuck in this position for over 5 hours before he was finally rescued...

http://www.hikehalfdome.com/images/fall_best.JPG

A friend of mine was making that trek, and it started sleeting on the way back down. She slipped, and slid down about something like 375' before digging her heels in on a 3" ledge and stopping her fall. She was in her 50's, and shattered both heels so badly that they basically just cupped the heel fragments all together and let them try to grow back together. She also has a titanium rod and cage-like thing to replace the several vertabrae that were crushed so badly that they just removed them.

She is a little shorter now, but was fine after about a year in a rehab hospital.

I still can't wait to go!

[Cyanide41]

Getting reservations in the valley are tough especially during peak season. I called 1 hour after wilderness permits were available and they were already sold out.

[Vtec44]

Are you camping in the valley? What do you need the permits for?

[Cyanide41]

No we are back packing in Hetch Hetchy. Permits are wilderness permits

[Vtec44]

Two more weeks! :woot

[Cyanide41]

have fun! I was up there a month ago. Didn't get to climb half dome though.

[NomadRip]

Are you back yet?

[Vtec44]

Here are some pix from Yosemite, mostly Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Curry Village. We almost made it up to Half Dome until a nasty thunder storm moved in which killed it. We had to hike 8 miles back, I was bitterly disappointed but there's always next time..


The temperature on a sunny Fall morning in Yosemite Valley.
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=565 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=565)

Cooking breakfast!
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=569 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=569)

Best idea since sliced bread!
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=564 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=564)

Curry Village
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=559 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=559)

If you're afraid of height, the last part of Half Dome Trail is not for you...
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=516 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=516)

Hiking at 5am
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=501 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=501)

Awesome view
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=574 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=574)

View from Glacier Point
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=577 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=577)

Me at Glacier Point
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=460 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=460)

The food!
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=562 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=562)

http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=526 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=526)

The bear didn't call back...
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=544 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=544)

TacomaQT smiling for the camera
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=541 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=541)

Me pretending to smile but was really scared shitless!
http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=515 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=515)



The rest of the pix are at http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=20 (http://www.socalcampers.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=20)

[NomadRip]

Nice! Sorry you didn't make the top this time.