Camping, Hiking, & Waterfalls @ Yosemite 1

Hi.

If anyone doesn't have summer travel / vacation plans, how about going to beautiful, Yosemite?

Space is limited, so if more people want to go than room is available, then sorry about that.

Priority will be given to those who have attended one of my trips before and/or to anyone who hasn't gone to Yosemite before (and who really wants to go).

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Two options to choose from (both are flexible)

1) June 13 - 17 (anytime between Wednesday - Sunday)

Everybody has different schedules, so you choose when to arrive & leave, such as Wednesday - Sunday, Thursday - Sunday, Friday - Sunday, or Friday - Monday.

Please note this is Father's Day weekend.

or

2) June 17 - 21 (anytime between Sunday - Thursday)

Again, you can choose when to arrive & leave, such as Sunday - Wednesday, Sunday - Thursday, Monday - Thursday, etc.

Understandably, getting time off during the week is hard, but this option is available for those who have available vacation time. One good thing is Yosemite is less busy/crowded on weekdays.

Drive time is around 6 - 6.5 hours - https://goo.gl/maps/DV9btzTUfbm

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Campsite space is limited. Sorry if there isn't enough room for everyone who signs up and that some cannot be accommodated. My apologies.

I'm not a mind-reader, so if anyone is interested in attending, contact me directly to check if room is available and answer the following questions:

(1) Do you want to drive or ride with someone else? If you can drive others, how many passengers can you accommodate?

(2) What days do you want to arrive and leave?

(3) Do you have your own camping gear (e.g. tent, sleeping bag, mat/pad/cot, etc.) ?

If anybody wants to borrow some camping equipment or wants help coordinating carpooling or tent sharing, just lmk.

In addition to email confirmation, a $50 payment deposit will be collected.

Those who pay in advance will be saved a spot at the campsite.

Leftover money will be used to buy some items for a few homeless individuals.

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FYI:

Meetup doesn't always notify me when comments are posted, so emailing me directly is recommended.

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http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/yv.htm

http://www.yelp.com/biz/yosemite-national-park-yosemite

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g61000-Activities-Yosemite_National_Park_California.html#ATTRACTION_SORT_WRAPPER

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/maps.htm

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Each person is responsible for the respective costs associated with camping gear/equipment, food, gas (if carpooling), and entry fees.

Carpooling & caravanning can be discussed as the date approaches. Itinerary is flexible and should be coordinated between driver & respective passenger(s).

More info on campsite & final details will be sent to those who confirmed & paid.

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Transportation:

If carpooling doesn't work out, or if anyone doesn't own a vehicle, or if anyone doesn't want to drive, one alternative is:

--- From SoCal, take a bus or train (e.g. Greyhound, Amtrak, etc.) to Fresno

--- From Fresno, take a YARTS bus to Yosemite

https://yarts.com/routes-and-schedules/fresno-madera-yosemite-valley/#schedules

https://yarts.com/how-to-ride

Some bus routes (such as Greyhound) leave Orange County and Los Angeles in the late evening, and arrive at Fresno in the early morning...so sleeping during the bus ride is possible.

Once at Yosemite Valley, their shuttle bus is pretty convenient, so having a car isn't required.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm

For returning home, just do the reverse....take the YARTS bus from Yosemite to Fresno, and then take a bus/train back to SoCal.
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Photos:

https://www.meetup.com/LAVolunteer/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=27065750

https://www.flickr.com/groups/yosemite/pool

http://shop.anseladams.com/Yosemite_Special_Edition_Photographs_s/2.htm

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/yosemite-national-park/images

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwzY1o_hB5Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6-2fVsFV8E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fJEFi3ccwI

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Near the campground (short walk) are amenities such as hot showers, small grocery store, small food restaurants, and a lounge room with tables, chairs, electrical outlets, and (free) spotty WiFi.

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Hiking:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

https://www.yosemitehikes.com

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/yosemite-national-park

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If anyone wants to see some really big/tall trees, Mariposa Grove is re-opening after being closed for three years.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/mariposagrove.htm

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-yosemite-mariposa-grove-will-reopen-in-june-20180215-story.html

https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/mariposa-grove-of-giant-sequoias-yosemite

https://www.yelp.com/biz/mariposa-grove-of-giant-sequoias-yosemite-national-park

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Dear ladies,

If anyone is thinking about going, please look at the RSVP list.

If any guy seems weird or creepy, or messaged you out of nowhere, or makes you feel uncomfortable, just lmk.

I trust women's intuition, so if you don't want someone to attend, just lmk.

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Dear gentlemen,

After all the news in 2017 with sexual abuse, harassment, inappropriate behavior, #MeToo movement, etc., I want to be more vigilant and careful with who joins.

I've planned around 17 camping trips, and surprisingly, many women have attended.

By default, I take on an over-protective brother/father role and need to look out for everyone.

If any of you organized a trip that included women, my conjecture is you also would be concerned for their safety and well-being, right?

We've been lucky in having some good guys attend. Last year, one guy messaged only women to go with him and another guy wanted only girls to carpool with him, and so, neither of them were allowed to attend.

If any women attend, thank you for being respectful and friendly toward them.

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Examples of recommended items to bring:

Bug Spray / Insect Repellent

Sleeping bag + pillow

Sleeping pad or air mattress

Tent (or share with someone who has one)

Appropriate clothes, socks, & shoes

Toothbrush, toothpaste, & other hygiene items

Hand sanitizer and baby wipes/wet naps

Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat or bandana

Earplugs

Flashlight / Headlamp

Portable chair

Cell phone charger cable (car adapter) or portable charger

Water

Water bottles or hydration pack

Food (and cookware)

Music

Towel

Swimwear (optional if wading in the river)

More comprehensive list - https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/family-camping-checklist.html

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Photo Source/Credit: Huff Post, Oars, Travel and Leisure, Wikipedia