Yosemite permits not needed after Nov. 1
Oct 2, 2020 12:34:00 #
FYI to anyone who hopes to visit Yosemite NP soon.
Starting Nov. 1 you can again enter Yosemite NP without a permit. Fall color is normally late in the park so it might be good timing. Currently, October, permits are still needed.
The link to getting a pass...
https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/300015/ticket/3000.
Currently, the park is socked in with smoke from nearby fires so wait awhile to go.
Starting Nov. 1 you can again enter Yosemite NP without a permit. Fall color is normally late in the park so it might be good timing. Currently, October, permits are still needed.
The link to getting a pass...
https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/300015/ticket/3000.
Currently, the park is socked in with smoke from nearby fires so wait awhile to go.
Oct 3, 2020 11:05:58 #
Oct 3, 2020 14:28:01 #
Thanks -- I was curious about that. I've been up five or six times this year and plan to go back shortly.
I was up November 2 last year when I did find a little bit of color around the Mist Trail (east end of the valley). Elsewhere in the valley, some bushes are colorful near the river, and yellow leaves were still clinging to a few odd aspens, but for the most part Yosemite was past peak. Higher elevations in Yosemite and the eastern Sierra peak earlier. Some areas are peaking now, with others to follow in the next few weeks.
Yosemite is still beautiful in November with a fall look (grasses are yellow), and you can find some color if you look for it -- but don't expect a lot. Actually there's not a lot of color at any time, as most trees are conifers, and of the deciduous trees we find in Yosemite, most are not very colorful.
I hope I haven't discouraged anyone. GO anyway, if you can! Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and I recommend a visit any time of year.
I was up November 2 last year when I did find a little bit of color around the Mist Trail (east end of the valley). Elsewhere in the valley, some bushes are colorful near the river, and yellow leaves were still clinging to a few odd aspens, but for the most part Yosemite was past peak. Higher elevations in Yosemite and the eastern Sierra peak earlier. Some areas are peaking now, with others to follow in the next few weeks.
Yosemite is still beautiful in November with a fall look (grasses are yellow), and you can find some color if you look for it -- but don't expect a lot. Actually there's not a lot of color at any time, as most trees are conifers, and of the deciduous trees we find in Yosemite, most are not very colorful.
I hope I haven't discouraged anyone. GO anyway, if you can! Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and I recommend a visit any time of year.
Oct 3, 2020 14:35:43 #
Between now and the next few weeks there will be color in the area of Hwy. 395 between Sonora Pass and Bishop. I have a friend heading up on Monday so might find out more than. Yosemite does peak later but timing is always variable. I live near Sonora Pass and an hour and one-half from Yosemite so like to keep track of things for photos when possible. I agree that there is not a lot of color in Yosemite any time for fall for the most part but hopefully any crowds will thin out in November. I do know that, based on another friend and the live cam at Yosemite Falls, that the valley is socked in by smoke right now and, at least at my house in Sonora, it does look any better today, 10-3.
Oct 3, 2020 14:47:50 #
I might add that after Glacier Point Road closes for the season next month, it will remain closed through 2021 and is scheduled to partially reopen in 2022 with single-lanes and significant delays (they say, but I bet it won't reopen until 2023).
The road is slated for much-needed, major reconstruction. So if you want to see Glacier Point, go now or wait a year or two or three. Of course, you can always hike to Glacier Point. The two trails are just 4-5 or 9-10 miles (one way), but the net elevation gain of close to 4,000 feet discourages even mountain goats.
The road is slated for much-needed, major reconstruction. So if you want to see Glacier Point, go now or wait a year or two or three. Of course, you can always hike to Glacier Point. The two trails are just 4-5 or 9-10 miles (one way), but the net elevation gain of close to 4,000 feet discourages even mountain goats.
Oct 3, 2020 14:57:41 #
via the lens wrote:
Between now and the next few weeks there will be c... (show quote)
They hold 20% of the reservations until 2 days prior to your visit date.
We're hoping to go in 3 weeks to meet our son and his wife there then (they already have reservations, but will be coming from LA for a few days, we're only doing a day trip). We'll go to the valley if we are able to get a permit. One of my favorite drives is up over Sonora Pass (with a coffee/snack break at Pinecrest), down 395 and then over Tioga Pass into Tuolumne Meadows, especially in the spring or early summer. At this time of the year, the June Lake Loop is a good chance to see fall colors also.
Oct 3, 2020 17:17:31 #
DJphoto wrote:
They hold 20% of the reservations until 2 days pri... (show quote)
I like lunch at Kennedy Meadows when I go over Sonora Pass. The food is not what I go for, it's that pack station/cowboy atmosphere. They are normally open through October.
Oct 3, 2020 17:42:50 #
via the lens wrote:
I like lunch at Kennedy Meadows when I go over Sonora Pass. The food is not what I go for, it's that pack station/cowboy atmosphere. They are normally open through October.
I usually make it to Pinecrest around 9:30-10:00 and bring a picnic lunch which I eat at Ellery Lake, or eat at a restaurant on the June Lake Loop if we go there. We went camping at Pinecrest once or twice a year from around 1972 until about 10 years ago, but haven't been there much lately. We're about 2 hours west of Sonora. I love the drive from Sonora to 395.
Oct 3, 2020 22:53:05 #
Hoping the smoke clears soon as I have a reservation to go in a few weeks. Will be driving from the Bay Area, where we are still experiencing smoke most days.
Oct 4, 2020 11:28:20 #
rangel28 wrote:
Hoping the smoke clears soon as I have a reservation to go in a few weeks. Will be driving from the Bay Area, where we are still experiencing smoke most days.
There are live cams, I think on the website, you might want to check them out in the coming days. Still smoky up here in the foothills today.
Oct 13, 2020 01:22:30 #
Oct 13, 2020 12:55:26 #
Just return from Yellowstone & Tetons.. No permit is needed If one enters these areas before the ranger house is open. There are no gates unless the gate is locked dur of fire, snow etc.. In other words.. we spent/wasted $35 on a pass which wasn't needed because we entered these areas when there wasn't a ranger on duty. Save your money and just enter these areas before rangers open the toll booth. Which 8:00 am I believe.
Oct 14, 2020 10:54:40 #
Genessi
Loc: SoCal
Let me know how it is when you go. we have reservations for Nov 18th canceled once already.
rangel28 wrote:
Hoping the smoke clears soon as I have a reservation to go in a few weeks. Will be driving from the Bay Area, where we are still experiencing smoke most days.
Oct 18, 2020 15:42:47 #
This thread is about YOSEMITE, not YELLOWSTONE. Yes, you can enter Yosemite before the ranger station is open but you do run the risk of a ranger checking for your pass when your car is parked: I don't know what the fine is, but probably more than the cost of a pass. The weather in our area, just north of Yosemite and 70 or so miles away, is still smoky. I was over on Hwy. 395 last week and the smoke in the eastern section of Yosemite was still an issue. This changes day to day, depending upon the wind and fire situation. It's still very hot here.
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