Camp4 in August

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LanaPo

climber
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 21, 2016 - 02:24pm PT
Hi! I live in another country. And I'm going to business trip to San Francisco and after that I have time from 18th till 25th of August to visit Yosemite. I'm going there alone (my friend can give me a ride to the valley and leave me there). I didn't have a chance to reserve a place in camping unfortunately. And I'm not an experienced car driver, so I hope to find a place in Camp4. Actually I'm doing some climbing, but I think that for the first visit it would be more interesting to go hiking to see the Yosemite Valley.
Can you give me some tips?

As I have time from Thursday(18th) till Thursday(25th), I thought that the best time to go to Yosemite is the night between Sunday and Monday? (to have more chances to get a place) - what do you think?
I've seen people advise to stay in line early in the morning, but there is a sign on the ranger kiosk "Line forms at 6am, prior to 6am it may be considered a violation of ..." - so what is better? To arrive really early, like 3a.m. and start staying in front of the kiosk? Or arrive around 5a.m? Or they really can punish me if I'm there before 6a.m?
As I understand, my friend is not allowed to wait for me in the Valley sitting in the car at night time?

And another option - maybe some of you are going to Yosemite on these dates and I can join you? This is my first time in Yosemite, so I really want to see as much as I can, but climbing there also sounds great :)

Thank you in advance for any help!
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Jul 21, 2016 - 02:31pm PT
Camp 4 in August is going to be hot. Bring some swim trunks to chill out in the Merced.
ron gomez

Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
Jul 21, 2016 - 02:39pm PT
Or....go to Tuolumne, get in the campground line 5:30 or 6:00 am and stay there. Cooler, great climbing and sightseeing. Drive Early to the Valley if you have to climb there to avoid hideous traffic lines. Have fun, be safe.
Peace
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Jul 21, 2016 - 04:45pm PT
Ron, I agree. But there is nothing like the first view coming out of the tunnel and seeing el cap.

Cheers!
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jul 21, 2016 - 04:59pm PT
You'll be happier in the Valley without a car and the heat in late August should be bearable....just. The climbing is also much better in the Valley than in Tuloumne.....just chase the shade.
Start early and hike up to the top of the falls and up to Half Dome.
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Jul 21, 2016 - 05:26pm PT
Yes early Monday morning is your best chance at a site. 4-5 AM is about right. The most they would probably do is kick you out of line IF they came by before 6AM, which I doubt they would. They probably mostly check to see if you are sleeping in line (which I would do between 6 and when they open). If your friend is not sleeping in the car they aren't breaking the rules.

You could also get a permit to do a backcountry hike, with that you can spend a night in the backpackers campground (short hike in from North Pine campground) before and another night after your permit date.

Speaking of which, I would try every morning to get a backcountry permit to hike half dome. The best hike in the world.

The valley is more spectacular, but the weather is better in Tuolumne. Do both if you can.
LanaPo

climber
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 22, 2016 - 10:09am PT
Thank you for your suggestions! I'm a bit afraid to sleep outside alone without a tent :) And getting the wilderness permit is my backup plan, so I'll try Camp4 and if no luck, I'll try to get the permit.
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Jul 22, 2016 - 04:31pm PT
"I'm a bit afraid to sleep outside alone without a tent :)"

CHICKEN!

I dare ya and double dare ya to follow Warbler's knowledgeable instructions and warnings. Nicely said, Kevin.

The point is that the adventure awaits.

We Americans want you visitors to enjoy the Park the way it was meant to be enjoyed, not by how our "Protectors and Servants" wish it to be enjoyed.

Lines are meant to be crossed and rules meant to be broken.

Don't be a wuss.

MFM
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Jul 22, 2016 - 05:17pm PT
I'm a bit afraid to sleep outside alone without a tent :)

Why??
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
Jul 22, 2016 - 09:22pm PT
What Ron Gomez said.
The Valley in August is hideously hot.
Tuolumne Meadows has beautiful hiking to alpine lakes and it is easy to get to the trailheads. There is a shuttle bus that can transport you along the Tioga Rd.
There is a nice visitor center in the Meadows where you can find out about the hikes.
chill

climber
The fat part of the bell-curve
Jul 22, 2016 - 10:45pm PT
I'm a bit afraid to sleep outside alone without a tent :)

Why??

A bug might fly into her mouth.
overwatch

climber
Arizona
Jul 22, 2016 - 10:49pm PT
I slept out in the open in camp four one time in May. It was fairly cool so I was bundled up in my sleeping bag with just my face showing.

I woke up in the morning with every half inch of my face covered with mosquito bites
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Jul 23, 2016 - 08:03am PT
Good point overwatch, but mossies should not be much of a problem in August.

To the OP, why not just bring a green bivy sack with a hoop and no-seeum netting or such? They are low profile.

Just make sure your food is stored in the bear boxes.
overwatch

climber
Arizona
Jul 23, 2016 - 08:12am PT
Mosquito netting and cover up is part of my kit to go anywhere, not a big fan of bug juice.
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Jul 23, 2016 - 08:20am PT
Are there still bike rentals in the valley?
overwatch

climber
Arizona
Jul 23, 2016 - 08:27am PT
I was actually checking into that the other day on the website and they do but it's pretty pricey 40 bucks a day.
LanaPo

climber
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 23, 2016 - 08:30am PT
I'm a bit afraid to sleep outside alone without a tent :)

Why??

because a bear can come and eat me!

rules meant to be broken

sounds cool, but expensive
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Jul 23, 2016 - 08:31am PT
Holy crap! How do I get in on that action?

Still, it would be worth it for a first time visitor for a bike spin around the loop trail.

edit: Lanapo, a bear won't eat you. Just store your food properly. Bears don't eat people. They just want our food.
overwatch

climber
Arizona
Jul 23, 2016 - 08:35am PT
If I was going to do a valley trip and I might this year I would definitely bring my own bike. Seems like the way to get around to me. I gotta start checking into decent yet relatively inexpensive bike
Craig Fry

Trad climber
So Cal.
Jul 23, 2016 - 08:49am PT
I had a killer bivy spot way above Camp 4.

I found it during the day, it was a 10 minute hike up the talus field, so it was really off the beaten path. The spot was a giant flat boulder with perfect views into the Valley below.

So I go back to the Valley a couple years later, and the first night I hike up to the bivy spot and there are about 8 people sleeping there!!

What the F!!!

I don't know these people, so I end up in a drunken stumble searching around in the dark until I find some crappy cubby hole in the boulder field that I can unfold the bag and get some sleep.
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