Great book.. If anybody here is planning on going to Yosemite soon, here's a great book to read before you go. It's called "Off the wall, death in Yosemite." It covers every death in...

picturedude Loc: Yosemite natl. park, Ca.

If anybody here is planning on going to Yosemite soon, here's a great book to read before you go. It's called "Off the wall, death in Yosemite." It covers every death in the park since day one. From falling to drowning to homicide and suicide. There are close to a thousand listings in it and the majority were caused by stupidity. There's also one about the Grand canyon.

llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

picturedude wrote:

If anybody here is planning on going to Yosemite soon, here's a great book to read before you go. It's called "Off the wall, death in Yosemite." It covers every death in the park since day one. From falling to drowning to homicide and suicide. There are close to a thousand listings in it and the majority were caused by stupidity. There's also one about the Grand canyon.

Don't go too soon. We went in May last year and were kept out of the higher points of the park with snow. The Yosemite Valley was fine. The viewpoint roads were closed as was the pass to go across the Sierras. The pass outside of Reno into California was closed off and on. We had a good time even though we weren't able to get to all the places we wanted to go.
Swede

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

llindstrand wrote:

quote=picturedude If anybody here is planning on ... (show quote)

The pass was open into early January! 1st time in recorded history that it had been open thru December (usually closed in October). My brother lives there (was retired from the park service several years ago). Even though you weren't able to get into some areas, you picked the right time to go - definitely fewer tourists!

llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

HEART wrote:

quote=llindstrand quote=picturedude If anybody h... (show quote)

It was definitely the right time--you could find parking every where we wanted. Also the falls were spectacular with all the spring runoff. We even went back in September and did the pass, and down the east side of the Sierras. So we skipped the tourists then also. It is an area of wondrous beauty.
Swede

picturedude Loc: Yosemite natl. park, Ca.

I always tell people that the best time to visit is before Memorial weekend, and after Labor day weekend. My first season working there, other employees were telling me that at around 3 O:clock Labor day, everything gets very quiet. I thought "Yeah, right." Well, sure enough it happened. We were going out with full trams all day, then it got very quiet. It was as if you could hear the park exhaling from relief. That was 8 seasons ago, and every season since has been the same. The waterfalls will be minimal this year due to the low snowpack.

picturedude Loc: Yosemite natl. park, Ca.

llindstrand wrote:

quote=HEART quote=llindstrand quote=picturedude... (show quote)

In the peak season you're better off to park your car and ride the free shuttle around the valley floor. There are several routes, covering the entire floor. If you go to the Mariposa grove of giant Sequoias, you can park your car at Wawona, then ride the free shuttle the 6 miles to the grove. (Our parking lot at the grove isn't really big so it gets filled fast. When that happens you have to park at either the south entrance or Wawona and ride the bus.) There are several buses that run all day long. Go to Yosemitepark.com for more details.

picturedude Loc: Yosemite natl. park, Ca.

llindstrand wrote:

quote=picturedude If anybody here is planning on ... (show quote)

Last year we had snow in June. That doesn't always happen. The road that you'll want to be open is "Glacier point rd." It takes you to Badger pass ski resort and on to Washburn point and Glacier point. The view from Glacier point is incredible and a "MUST SEE". Due to the mild winter we've been having, the roads should be open sooner this year. Go to: Yosemitepark.com for more up to the date info. And if you should hike up to any of the many waterfalls, then PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE WATER!!!! Too many people have fallen to their death by not following the rules. It happens every year.