On the 20th, I left the house I was staying in just after 11 AM, drove the short distance over to the capitol building to check it out, then headed to Yosemite. I went to In-N-Out Burger on the way. I got fries and a grilled cheese “burger”. It was good and I was hungry, so I went back and got it again. The wait was long so as the 10 or 15 mins passed I got less hungry. But I still ate it all. I was hungry. It was after 1:00 and I hadn’t eaten yet that day.
I had called Yosemite in the morning to reserve a site, but was told it was walk-ins only this time of year. It being off-season and middle of the week I figured there would be no trouble. Campgrounds have been empty and some are even closing or have already closed. As I pulled in to the park I saw a sign that stated that the two campgrounds I was wanting to stay at were already full. It was about 4 PM. I could have gotten here a little earlier, but hadn’t rushed. I would have passed on the extra food there and eaten stuff in my car had I known I needed to rush. The lady at the booth mentioned that I could try Wawona Campground in the south or one up north. Wawona interested me more. A little disappointed, but realizing that I’d wanted to see a bunch of stuff all around anyway, and that I’d have driven south at some point, I decided to aim for Wawona and try to get into the lower or upper pines campground the next night.
I got to Wawona and drove around. All the campsites were taken! Even a site that I thought was empty. Now what??? Not sure what to do or how much further down the next site was I asked a couple near where I was parked if they knew anything about options. There was a group site that I thought about trying to move into if I got desperate. They told me about the site right across from them. Number 10. They said that the guys there had paid for two nights, but left early. They told them they were headed to San Francisco, so the site was vacant. There was stuff on the table, and a slip under it, so it looked like someone was there. I’d seen it. But they said it was available and I could have it. For free.
So I’m in the tent now. It’s 8:31 PM. The sky is full of stars and I can hear the kids at the group site in the distant background, and that couple, and a kid on the site next to the the couple talking around a campfire. I can also hear cars going down the road. They get a lot of traffic there. I kept seeing cars come in trying to find a site, so I located the “Campground Full” sign and put it in place on the sign at the entrance to this campground. May save people some time in driving around, and cuts down on the traffic and lights coming through. It’s been quieter since I did that. I guess I’ll flip it back tomorrow before I leave.
It’s not so cold that I can’t write in my tent tonight. It’s been so cold that even in my tent with a coat on I didn’t want to write. But in here now it’s perfect. I think it’s about 58 out right now.
On the 21st, I woke up around 5 AM kinda cold. I think I stayed awake for about an hour before falling asleep again. I woke up and laid there for about 15 or so minutes before looking at the clock. I assumed it was about 7:30. It was 9:15. I got up, got ready, and packed my stuff. I needed to get over to the next campground to reserve a spot for my next night. That was at least an hour away. Before I left, I went over to thank the couple again. We talked for a bit. They were actually a little talkative, so it probably went about 15 minutes longer than I’d intended. It was fine. I then hopped in my car and drove off. I stopped to take better pics of the Tunnel View with better lighting.
At the campground they told me I needed to go to the reservation office to reserve a place. I went over there and found out I was in the wrong place. I’d lost about 15 mins in the process. When I arrived at the correct office around what I think was 10:37 they added me to the list. There were 20 people ahead of me. I asked if that meant I likely wouldn’t get a spot and he told me there was a 60% or 70% chance I’d get a spot for that night. Not high, but in my favor. I was to come back just before 3:00 PM to see if I’d get a spot based on cancellations. I’m still not certain how it all works, but basically, it’s first-come-first-served on those vacancies. Some at the beginning of the pack had come in right at 8 to get on that list.
I then came back at 2:45 PM and talked to the NPS guys about other options in the case that my name wasn’t called. Hodgedon Campground seemed like my best bet. It was a ways away, further north, but right near where I’d be going to head to Death Valley tomorrow. This seemed convenient except that I wanted to hike right by where I currently was, a several hour hike, which meant I may get to the campground too late to get a first-come-first-served spot. Then what? I could head straight there, but then what else would I do? I didn’t come here just to hang out at a campsite. I figured I’d hike, then take my chances with Hodgedon.
They had everyone meet beside the NPS office and someone there gave everyone the scoop on what would happen. They had a certain amount of slots available. They’d read names in the order that people added their name to the list. If someone wasn’t there to respond to their name being called, their name was scratched from the list, and the next name on the list was called. You’d be given a number, and would go line up outside the NPS office where you’d wait to talk to someone about getting a site. Then off you’d go on your merry way.
I was number 21. I didn’t have high expectations. Then they started calling names. I counted the names as they went along. One person’s name was called, but there was no response. So they skipped them. Several names later no one answered to the name. Later two in a row didn’t answer. At this point the lady showed that she had three numbers left to give out. My hands were sweating. I had figured we were at about number 17 - a few numbers before mine, but had lost count, so really didn’t know where we were. In my mind, I was just barely outside of the three left, unless there was a no-show. Then he called the next name – “Chandler”. Wow! Maybe I didn’t remember my place in the line. Or had miscounted as we went along. Either way I was super relieved to hear my name called next. I’ve never been that relieved to get a site, and have never seen it like a prize : )
I got a campsite and went and set up my tent on it. It was late, but I then went to do the Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls hike. I figured, if nothing else, I could go to Vernal and no further. I left for the hike around 4:30. It was steep and the end of it was steep and a little dangerous. Steep uneven steps. But the view was awesome. It was later so while I passed a bunch of people coming down, I didn’t see anyone coming up. I was the only one up there. Awesome view.
I got back to my car and ate dinner. I was so hungry. I loaded up on protein. My muscles were tired. I then went back to my campsite, locked up the food in the bear box, then headed to Yosemite Village to the hotel there and got an ice cream drumstick and a truffle. As I was heading out to eat the ice cream, I ran into a couple I saw twice on the hike and talked to them, half thinking about my ice cream that was likely melting while we spoke. We talked for about 20 mins. I then sat down and ate the softened, but still composed, cone. They came up later before leaving and told me to visit if I was ever in Tennessee. Scott and Kelly. Very nice. So I sent them a text and mentioned I’d try to find them on Facebook.
I didn’t have room for the truffle, so saved it for later. I locked up the rest of my stuff in the box as they are very clear about leaving nothing outside or even in your car. Bears. I’d always been told I could leave stuff in my car, but they have pics of a door ripped off a car where the bear smelled food inside. I need this car, so I’m putting everything in the box tonight. And here I am, in the front seat of my car typing this. It’s now 10:37 PM. My food has settled I think, so I may head into my tent shortly. Maybe I’ll read, or do some writing first. It’s 51 which is a little warmer than last night at this hour, and warmer than what I’ve seen the most of the rest of the trip after the Badlands. So it may be warmer tonight.
Tomorrow I head to Death Valley.
I had called Yosemite in the morning to reserve a site, but was told it was walk-ins only this time of year. It being off-season and middle of the week I figured there would be no trouble. Campgrounds have been empty and some are even closing or have already closed. As I pulled in to the park I saw a sign that stated that the two campgrounds I was wanting to stay at were already full. It was about 4 PM. I could have gotten here a little earlier, but hadn’t rushed. I would have passed on the extra food there and eaten stuff in my car had I known I needed to rush. The lady at the booth mentioned that I could try Wawona Campground in the south or one up north. Wawona interested me more. A little disappointed, but realizing that I’d wanted to see a bunch of stuff all around anyway, and that I’d have driven south at some point, I decided to aim for Wawona and try to get into the lower or upper pines campground the next night.
I got to Wawona and drove around. All the campsites were taken! Even a site that I thought was empty. Now what??? Not sure what to do or how much further down the next site was I asked a couple near where I was parked if they knew anything about options. There was a group site that I thought about trying to move into if I got desperate. They told me about the site right across from them. Number 10. They said that the guys there had paid for two nights, but left early. They told them they were headed to San Francisco, so the site was vacant. There was stuff on the table, and a slip under it, so it looked like someone was there. I’d seen it. But they said it was available and I could have it. For free.
So I’m in the tent now. It’s 8:31 PM. The sky is full of stars and I can hear the kids at the group site in the distant background, and that couple, and a kid on the site next to the the couple talking around a campfire. I can also hear cars going down the road. They get a lot of traffic there. I kept seeing cars come in trying to find a site, so I located the “Campground Full” sign and put it in place on the sign at the entrance to this campground. May save people some time in driving around, and cuts down on the traffic and lights coming through. It’s been quieter since I did that. I guess I’ll flip it back tomorrow before I leave.
It’s not so cold that I can’t write in my tent tonight. It’s been so cold that even in my tent with a coat on I didn’t want to write. But in here now it’s perfect. I think it’s about 58 out right now.
On the 21st, I woke up around 5 AM kinda cold. I think I stayed awake for about an hour before falling asleep again. I woke up and laid there for about 15 or so minutes before looking at the clock. I assumed it was about 7:30. It was 9:15. I got up, got ready, and packed my stuff. I needed to get over to the next campground to reserve a spot for my next night. That was at least an hour away. Before I left, I went over to thank the couple again. We talked for a bit. They were actually a little talkative, so it probably went about 15 minutes longer than I’d intended. It was fine. I then hopped in my car and drove off. I stopped to take better pics of the Tunnel View with better lighting.
At the campground they told me I needed to go to the reservation office to reserve a place. I went over there and found out I was in the wrong place. I’d lost about 15 mins in the process. When I arrived at the correct office around what I think was 10:37 they added me to the list. There were 20 people ahead of me. I asked if that meant I likely wouldn’t get a spot and he told me there was a 60% or 70% chance I’d get a spot for that night. Not high, but in my favor. I was to come back just before 3:00 PM to see if I’d get a spot based on cancellations. I’m still not certain how it all works, but basically, it’s first-come-first-served on those vacancies. Some at the beginning of the pack had come in right at 8 to get on that list.
I then came back at 2:45 PM and talked to the NPS guys about other options in the case that my name wasn’t called. Hodgedon Campground seemed like my best bet. It was a ways away, further north, but right near where I’d be going to head to Death Valley tomorrow. This seemed convenient except that I wanted to hike right by where I currently was, a several hour hike, which meant I may get to the campground too late to get a first-come-first-served spot. Then what? I could head straight there, but then what else would I do? I didn’t come here just to hang out at a campsite. I figured I’d hike, then take my chances with Hodgedon.
They had everyone meet beside the NPS office and someone there gave everyone the scoop on what would happen. They had a certain amount of slots available. They’d read names in the order that people added their name to the list. If someone wasn’t there to respond to their name being called, their name was scratched from the list, and the next name on the list was called. You’d be given a number, and would go line up outside the NPS office where you’d wait to talk to someone about getting a site. Then off you’d go on your merry way.
I was number 21. I didn’t have high expectations. Then they started calling names. I counted the names as they went along. One person’s name was called, but there was no response. So they skipped them. Several names later no one answered to the name. Later two in a row didn’t answer. At this point the lady showed that she had three numbers left to give out. My hands were sweating. I had figured we were at about number 17 - a few numbers before mine, but had lost count, so really didn’t know where we were. In my mind, I was just barely outside of the three left, unless there was a no-show. Then he called the next name – “Chandler”. Wow! Maybe I didn’t remember my place in the line. Or had miscounted as we went along. Either way I was super relieved to hear my name called next. I’ve never been that relieved to get a site, and have never seen it like a prize : )
I got a campsite and went and set up my tent on it. It was late, but I then went to do the Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls hike. I figured, if nothing else, I could go to Vernal and no further. I left for the hike around 4:30. It was steep and the end of it was steep and a little dangerous. Steep uneven steps. But the view was awesome. It was later so while I passed a bunch of people coming down, I didn’t see anyone coming up. I was the only one up there. Awesome view.
I got back to my car and ate dinner. I was so hungry. I loaded up on protein. My muscles were tired. I then went back to my campsite, locked up the food in the bear box, then headed to Yosemite Village to the hotel there and got an ice cream drumstick and a truffle. As I was heading out to eat the ice cream, I ran into a couple I saw twice on the hike and talked to them, half thinking about my ice cream that was likely melting while we spoke. We talked for about 20 mins. I then sat down and ate the softened, but still composed, cone. They came up later before leaving and told me to visit if I was ever in Tennessee. Scott and Kelly. Very nice. So I sent them a text and mentioned I’d try to find them on Facebook.
I didn’t have room for the truffle, so saved it for later. I locked up the rest of my stuff in the box as they are very clear about leaving nothing outside or even in your car. Bears. I’d always been told I could leave stuff in my car, but they have pics of a door ripped off a car where the bear smelled food inside. I need this car, so I’m putting everything in the box tonight. And here I am, in the front seat of my car typing this. It’s now 10:37 PM. My food has settled I think, so I may head into my tent shortly. Maybe I’ll read, or do some writing first. It’s 51 which is a little warmer than last night at this hour, and warmer than what I’ve seen the most of the rest of the trip after the Badlands. So it may be warmer tonight.
Tomorrow I head to Death Valley.