Anyone been to Yosemite?

UncleGerry

Active member
Heading down there in a couple of days from Tahoe. If anyone has camped there before, I need some information. We want to camp in a remote location away from everyone and not at a designated campground. Does anyone know of any chill spots to camp that are preferibly somewhat near a trail that we can hike during the day?? Thanks!
 
Also, does anyone know how to get to Paradise Pools? Heard that it is a super secretive and chill swimming hole and would love to check it out. Looking to have an "off the beaten path" adventure in Yosemite so if anyone could help me out with some recommendations/info, that would be awesome!
 
didnt really read much except the kinda secluded campsite part. uhhhhhhh its 20 to get in and 20 a night at most campsites and you have to reserve (in the valley). you arent allowed to do dispersed camping in the valley i think so youre boned if you didnt make plans at a campground. i think camp 4 is first come first serve? and its cheaper? you might get lucky there. a lot of climbers though in camp 4, which isnt a bad thing
 
I just got done backpacking in yosemite today and I would recommend somewhere around cascade creek. You'll need a backcountry permit. We went up the rockslides trailhead to obofrt. It was only a 4 mile hike but it was definitely a butt kicker
 
Most places other than the valley are cool with dispersed camping. If you want to be super sure, camp near the PCT— dispersed camping is allowed along the whole thing for obvious reasons.
 
Also, if you have the time, consider thru-hiking the JMT (John Muir Trail). It's a segment of the PCT; it goes from Yosemite down to Mt. Whitney. ~220 miles, generally takes people 2-3 weeks. Pack light— rain gear, clothes your wearing, 2-3 extra pairs of socks, a pair of long johns, a light but warm beanie, a yowie (not arctic yowie) (they're amazing for way more than skiing), a water bottle (one will do you fine, there is a lot of snowmelt up there. It's a fairly safe bet to assume that the high alpine streams will be safe to drink from if you collect from the right spot. If you want to be super sure, bring a Steri-Pen, it's the best thing for purifying water. Equally effective as boiling it but way quicker.)

Bring a sleeping bag rated to +20 or so, a small light sleeping pad, and a thin light tarp to sleep on. Tents are overkill in the Sierra in the summer. If you want a bivvy, go ahead, but that's just useless weight IMO.

Hell why am I telling you this shit? If you're going to hike the JMT, you probably already know most of this, if not, then it's no point.

One last thing I'll add because it's important: bring enough *salty food to keep you from becoming hyponatremic. If you feel like you are dehydrated even though you've had more than enough water and your urine has been clear, you are very likely just low on salt. Cramps are another telltale sign. If you are, eat salty food... doesn't have to be potato chips or something, a PB&J made with non-organic PB, wonderbread, and non-organic jelly will be plenty salty. Wash it down with water, but don't drink too much at that point.

Also, pink snow = BAD BAD BAD. If you see it, don't eat it, if you see it right above where you're collecting water, disinfect that water or find another source. "Watermelon snow" will make you very, very sick.
 
Back
Top