Yosemite np

Hey, just wondering if anyone has gone to Yosemite in California. Planning on making a run there via the Wharf in San Francisco. Tips, suggestions would be most appreciative.

Best Way - Homemade Bear and Snake Repellent | eHow.com

I like the directions: spray it in the bear's eyes.

List Of Fatal Bear Attacks In North America | Ask.com Encyclopedia
I just discussed alot of the bear repellent issues with my BIL who rode his BMW motorcycle 11, 300 miles from Daytona to somewhere way up into Alaska. (he bought the commercial bear spray from REI)

Probably a better chance of getting mugged in any major city!

Yosemite is spectacular. Just a note- In August the rivers & waterfalls flow can be low.

Coming from LA we stay in Oakhurst, a town about 15 miles outside the south entrance. However since you’ll be coming from San Francisco (about a four hour drive to Yosemite) you might look at Merced or Mariposa as a place to spend the night. Sorry never went that route so can’t help with recommendations. I do however recommend staying outside the park, the hotels are cheaper and unless you’re a fan of tent/cabins or camping out, hotels offer a softer bed; plus the towns have groceries stores.

Hiking
Tip - When you're going hiking always check the map for elevation gain.

Lower Yosemite Falls - an easy hike, less than a mile - no elevation gain

Glacier Point - magnificent view of Yosemite Valley
Tip- There’s a bus, (catch it at Yosemite Lodge) we and our friends “The Daniel Boone Brigade”, took the bus up; they hiked down, we took the bus back. We both had the gorgeous views and took loads of pictures - our knees didn‘t hurt.

Panoramic Trail - (the trail the Brigade took down) strenuous- about nine miles, great views --the back of Half Dome, Nevada Falls, Vernal Falls. If you do decide to do this, do your homework - take a map, your lunch, a frozen water bottle and a good hiking pole (the knees).
Word to the wise, although you’re going downhill, parts of the trail do rise (about a 2,000 ft. elevation gain) and just when you think you’re home free you’ll find yourself at “The Steps”, also know as the Mist Trail (steep granite) Steps and the place where “Mrs. Daniel Boone” went ballistic. Details of the “Steps Incident” aren‘t clear, all I know is that when they came off this trail the brigade was in full mutiny.
The whole bunch, except for “Daniel Boone” of course, looked liked they’d been through the ringer, all were wet, and “Mrs. Boone” had resigned from the brigade and was vowing never to go hiking with “Daniel” again.

Half Dome - If you want something even more strenuous you can do Half Dome, 8 miles with an elevation gain of 5000ft. Plus you get to use a cable walkway to get to the top. “Daniel Boone“ minus the brigade did this one.
You can also rent a bike, or go horseback riding.
There’s also an Ansel Adams gallery/gift shop. From there you can go on a ranger led photography walk, however you must have reservations. (check the website for days) about 2 hours, a nice walk.

As far as bears in Yosemite. I’ve seen lots of photos of what a bear can do to your car if you leave food in it (tore it open like a tin can) and lots of bear-resistant food containers and bear-proof trash cans in the park, but no actual bears....yet. *wink*

A classical
New Bear Warning
Due to the frequency of human-bear encounters, the Fish and Wildlife Service is advising hikers, hunters fisherman and any persons that use the outdoors in a recreational or work related function to take extra precautions while in the field.
We advise the outdoorsman to wear little noisy bells on clothing so as to give advance warning to any bears that might be close by so you don’t take them by surprise.
We also advise anyone using the outdoors to carry “pepper spray” with him in case of an encounter with a bear.
Outdoorsmen should also be on the watch for fresh bear activity, and be able to tell the difference between black bear droppings and grizzly bear droppings.
Back bear droppings are smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear droppings have bells in it and smells like pepper

Your timing couldn't be more perfect! We're just starting to plan a trip there for September so I'm going to take note of your advice. I sure hope this is fun because I am giving up Lake Tahoe for this trip . . . .

Donna if you're going in through the south enrance, I like to stay in OaKhurst. We usually stay at the Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn. Our room had a microwave, a refrigerator and a TV. It was enough to make a member of the "Daniel Boone" brigade jump ship. http://bestsmileys.com/lol/6.gif
One of the nicest place to stay in the park is Ahwahnee Hotel, beautiful (older) but expenisve; dinner runs $50+ pp. Needless to say we just walked arond.

Great tips and thanks.

OK Fresno, so you’ll be coming in from the south.

Tips-
--Avoid the weekend if possible
--Fill up in Oakhurst. There are NO gas stations in the Valley. You can get gas in Wawona, that’s inside the park right on 41 - you’ll pass it on your way in/out of the valley and at Crane Flat. There are a few other spots in the park but these are the two I’m familiar with. Just know gas is expensive- that pesky law of supply and demand.
--There’s a free Valley shuttle that does a loop, it stops at all trailheads & hotels etc .
--Definitely go up to Glacier Point. It’s breath taking. There’s a parking lot which gets very crowded near sunset when all the photographers come up to get those Ansel Adams type photos.
--Stop and see the giant Sequoias in Mariposa Grove (route 41, south Entrance) or Tuolumne Grove (route 120 near Crane Flat.
--Peregrine Flacons, keep an eye out.

Have fun and let me know how it goes.

No bears.

Palms I was wondering about you and all that Yosemite fresh air.
Yosemite camping - Besides a camper or backpack camping, you might also look into the High Sierra Camps. The camps, up in the high country, offer a tent, a mattress, hot showers and someone to cook. However, because of limited spots, there’s a lottery and the lottery opened for the 2011 season Sept 1. They also have a “meals only” option if you’re packing your own bedroll. Info High Sierra Camp Application : Yosemite Park

Cue - ghost riders in the sky. http://bestsmileys.com/music1/25.gif
YouTube - Ghost Riders In The Sky

Thanks for that information. Sounds like alot of fun.

California