I've got a couple of questions related to this, if someone could entertain.
What is the deal these days with getting into Yosemite or Yellowstone, or Grand Canyon?

We want to take the kids there, but I don't know how much advance planning is needed for any kind of camping reservation.
I suspect we may need to wait until next year.
I have looked online, but I get a little piece of info here and there, but no kind of summary of what you really need to do. We're totally fine camping, and would prefer it.
I haven't been out there since 1985!

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"If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious %$&^."

My father wants to "conquer Yosemite photographically" he said.

I figured I might as well, photographically, and since I have not been there it's a first for a lot of us.

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A photo of Bridal Veils Falls is a must, even if you never leave the "Valley Floor".

You might want to splurge on a nice meal at the Ahwahnee Hotel on the Valley floor, it is a wonderful place. The prices are high, all of Yosemite is run by a private monopoly company called the "Curry Company" and pretty much has a lock on everything that is there.

On the East side of Yosemite is something that my mother and father always loved, "Tuolomne Meadows". They liked to go there in their 1939 Studebaker Commander shortly after they got married in 1941, when visitors were few. They showed me pictures of them there taken when I was an infant back in 1948 - they loved it there. It is very lovely and roantic and pastoral and beautiful up there. Light camping there may still be allowed I believe.

It is reached through the "back door" ( known also as highway 395.) entered on the East side3. Gets serious snow in winter up there.

And in late spring and summer, the temperatures are mild and the air is so pure, and it is lovely to see and enjoy!

I bet you will find it a lovely place in different parts of Yosemite to run amok with your camera. The salesman at the dealer who sold me my new Subaru Outback a year ago was actually a family guy and a photography student, and would hike way in the back country around Yosemite with his camera ewuipment. I bought his CD, it is full of pictures from all over Yosemite. Truly, it is paradise for photographers.

Ansel Adams made it legendary.

You will have a blast!!!

But avoid the valley floor as uch as possible it is a total zoo, last time I went was just after I got married, I think, this was in maybe 1995, and the place was a zoo, traffic jams everywhere and tour buses crammed with Japanese tourists. Yucck!!! Not fun.

Avoid any climbing off the trails, on cliffs and rocky areas. It is dangerous!

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2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

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Thanks Jim, yes I've read it is a haven for landscape photographers. Too bad I'm not much of a landscape photographer but I'll get my equipment ready for that. Shameless plug, but if you folks want to view my father's gallery, feel free:

Lester A. Garcia - Photographer Biography, Photography - photo.net

I still need to learn how to stop down my camera and use longer exposure settings to capture the veil of the falls nicely. I'm sure my father will beat me in every way (especially composition), but that's how I learn right?

I forgot to acknowledge your response, but thanks. Yes, I'll keep an eye on things as we go along. My wife said I should take control of driving once the steep winding roads are upon us.

My friend tells me the place will be packed by as early as 9AM Friday (we plan to leave during the wee hours of Friday morning, maybe 2AM-ish). And that gas prices reached $8/gallon up there, back when it was $5/gallon down here.

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Good question. I have a lady friend who wants to take a trip there - asked me if I want to go, I hate to admit I've not yet been there.

Anybody been to nearby Mono Lake? It was in that Clint Eastwood movie "High Plains Drifter." I think they shot all of it there. Wild looking place.

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We visited the Grand Canyon in 2010, it was a grueling road trip with two vehicles since my wife and in-laws visited Las Vegas too, and thereafter continued on to the GC (south rim). On the other hand, my parents, sister and nephew joined the run and we met midway to the GC. It was breathtaking, to say the least. The GC goes on, and on, and on, and on down below.

I told my wife, that ANY word will become the longest one, if somebody slipped and said that word on the way down.

Some photos I took






I wish to take tons of photos at Yosemite, seeing that I had severely limited time to do so at the GC due to the time constraints. As the sun set, the orange glow became more evident in some of the photos. It was surreal.

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Nice Canyon Photo's there MBeige. Better than any I've ever managed. I dabble in landscape photography myself but for some reason I've never really succeeded at the Canyon.

If this is your first time at Yosemite I have a few suggestions. You are going at the right time of the year for the waterfalls. The snow melt should be strong enough to have them running at full spate and they are an incredible sight. Unfortunately the valley floor will be horribly congested, you just have to deal with it. For a quite unforgettable experience I strongly suggest you try the Mist trail. It goes from the valley floor up past two waterfalls, Vernal and Nevada falls and provides incredible scenery at literally every step. Be warned though that although it's not long it's steep. You are basically climbing straight up the side of the valley and you will be soaked so bring some kind of light poncho/rain protection. And make sure you can keep your camera dry or at least protect the lens. I'll try to post some pic's I took back in 93 so you might have an idea what I mean. Can't do that from work though as I can't access photobucket from here.

There is another trail called "Artists Point". Look it up online. I've not done it myself but I want to.It's right above the tunnel. As you enter the valley thru the tunnel, assuming you are coming from the south you emerge to see a stunning scene. There is a car park on both sides of the road right outside the tunnel exit. Park on the right, not the left where the tourists all oggle at the view and there is a trail that starts right at the edge of the parking lot. It's also a steep switchback kind of trail but not very long and takes you up to an apparently even better view of the valley than you will see from the parking lot down by the tunnel itself.

You can take a shuttle ride around the valley floor which takes you to some of the sites, including the tunnel.

Yosemite is the one place I've been in my life so far where it's literally just jaw droppingly gorgeous where every you look at every moment. I'm sure you'll have a great time. By the way if you walk right up to the base of Yosemite falls it can be freezing cold witih the spray from the falls literally sucking the heat out of the air. Like a gigantic mister system.

- Peter.

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Thanks Peter for the suggestions!

I'll definitely consider all recommendations mentioned, and heed all warnings.

Guess I'll bring my D90 & D300 both with their battery grips so I don't keep changing batteries and lenses - one for tele and one for wide shooting.

Is the park open all-day or does it close for the night?

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I believe it's open 24/7, but where are you staying? Inside or outside?

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

I would hope INSIDE.

Yosemite has BEARS.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Chain requirements are enforced, the level depends on conditions.

Official info is here: Caltrans Winter Driving Tips Winter Operations. Or you can call 1-800.427.7623 for current highway conditions.

From the website:
Chain Requirements
R1: Chains are required - snow tread tires allowed.
R2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels.
R3: Chains are required - all vehicles - no exceptions.
R1 and R2 are the most common conditions. The highway is usually closed before an R3 condition is imposed.

Along with the additional requirement that you carry chains.

What I mean is unless you have already made bookings I doubt you'd find acommodation in the park itself. Maybe at a campground if you're lucky but I'd check that online before you go. I had to stay in Oakhurst and drive into the park each day when I visited as there was no acommodation available in the park itself.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

They all have acommodation info available on line. I'd suggest researching it thoroughly as they fill up real quick. I've camped in the campground in the GC on the south rim twice. They do have some RV hookups if you can get a spot and if tent camping there are coin operated showers. I found them to be cramped and not particularly clean but my brother and his girlfriend who were out from England and are used to European style camping raved about them. Advanced planning is key to not being disappointed I've found.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Camping in Yosemite Valley isnt all that great. It's crowded, loud and requires reservations. However, I've had success asking people if I could take a small corner of the campsite. Beer helps too.

Look just outside the south entrance of the park around Fish Camp. You can usually find campgrounds there. It isnt crowded at all and you'll have a bit of privacy.

Be sure to go to Glacier Point as well.

Jim B. nice compliment for Kingsburg. Kingsburg High class of "73" here. I live in Fresno, but I still like KB and have many friends that still live there, and travel there quite often. Has changed a lot, but sorta still the same if you know what I mean. Just thought what you said was cool....Bob

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