Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WILDERNESS PERMITS FOR OVERNIGHT CAMPING
Shedding the high-season crowds is easiest when you set foot into Yosemite's backcoun-
try wilderness. Start by identifying a route that matches your schedule, skill and fitness
yose/planyourvisit/wpres.htm
; advance reservation fee $5, plus $5 per person, free for walk-ins;
8:30am-4:30pm Mon-Fri Dec-Sep, extended hours late-May-early Sep), which is mandatory for
overnight trips. To prevent tent cities sprouting in the woods, a quota system limits the
number of people leaving from each trailhead each day. For trips between mid-May and
September, 60% of the quota may be reserved by fax, phone, or mail from 24 weeks to
two days before your trip. Faxes received between 5pm (the previous day) and 7:30am
(the first morning you can reserve) get first priority.
The remainder are distributed by the office closest to the trailhead on a first-come,
first-served basis (beginning at 11am one day before your planned hike) at Yosemite Val-
ley Wilderness Center, Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center, the information stations at
Wawona and Big Oak Flat, and the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station. Hikers who turn up at
the wilderness center nearest the trailhead get priority over those at another wilderness
center. For example, if a person who's been waiting for hours in the valley wants the last
permit left for Lyell Canyon, the Yosemite Valley Wilderness Center calls the Tuolumne
Meadows Wilderness Center to see if any hikers in Tuolumne want it. If a hiker waltzing in-
to the Tuolumne office says 'yes!', they get priority over the person in the Valley.
Reservations are not available from October to April, but you'll still need to get a permit
by self-registering at the park.
At night you must be sure to store all scented items in bear-resistant containers, which
may be rented for $5 per week at the wilderness and visitors centers. For locations and
details, check
www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bearcanrentals.htm.
Rock Climbing
With its sheer spires, polished domes and soaring monoliths, Yosemite is rock-climbing
nirvana. The main climbing season runs from April to October. Most climbers, including
some legendary stars, stay at Camp 4 near El Capitan, especially in spring and fall. In
summer, another base camp springs up at Tuolumne Meadows Campground. Climbers
looking for partners post notices on bulletin boards at either campground.
