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BigRockJim

Trad climber
Hamilton Ohio
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 7, 2017 - 07:21pm PT
We live in Cincinnati Ohio and planning a 15 day trip across America to visit Yosemite and test out the rocks. I got 3 kids going with me that climb 11,13,17. Got plenty of routes we've looked over this site has been great, even bought Chris's Big wall book since I'm hoping to climb el cap next year. This is my first visit to Yosemite and I've read countless hours over the winter trying to plan this out. I've wanted to stay in camp 4 just because of its history but I've heard as much negative as I have positive about the camp. We all back country camp and honestly my kids have only stayed in a normal campgrounds like twice lol. Hopefully ya'll are helpful here and don't crap on me for posting in the wrong place or even posting at all.

I see camp 4 shouldn't be hard to get into if I show up bright and early Monday morning. (Hopefully). But what other great camping opportunities would you suggest? I have absolutely no sense of distance on anything in the park. I have maps hanging on my bedroom walls and still think dag that's far lol. Obviously I wanna take them up the Half Dome cables. I also want to hit the base of the nose just to see what I'll be looking up at next year. We're still running over ideas daily about what to do the rest of the time but I'm sure we won't be without something in mind.

Is there a Less populated location should attempt to camp at and drive back to visit the valley?

Camping like gistics and locations would be a dramatic help to help me get this trip together we've been working on for over 6 months now. I know nobody that's ever been to help me out here.

rottingjohnny

Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
Mar 7, 2017 - 07:26pm PT
Don't get tooled by the Duck...rj
ionlyski

Trad climber
Kalispell, Montana
Mar 7, 2017 - 07:39pm PT
You sure you want to expose them to the Half Dome cable route? Sounds like the kids are already beyond the tourist terrain.

Sorry I'm not adding anything positive to your beta list.
Arne
John M

climber
Mar 7, 2017 - 07:41pm PT
Is there a Less populated location should attempt to camp at and drive back to visit the valley?

Depends on time of year. Summer.. nope Yosemite is very popular and fills up every day. You must book reservation campsites 5 months in advance and summer months usually book within minutes of the first day that they become available.

See this page. Scroll down to reservations. It tells you when you can reserve.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camping.htm

There are first come first served campgrounds. Last summer I stayed at bridal veil creek campground. Most mornings there were campsites available, but they fill fast. There are no guarantees. It is 30 minutes to the valley. It is on glacier point road and opens when the snow melts. this year that could be late. Possibly middle of July.

Depending on when you come, Tuolumne meadows campground has 50 percent of its sites first come first served. You must arrive early to get in line for those. The meadows are great, have plenty of climbing but are generally about 1.5 hours from the valley.

Otherwise for any campground that takes reservations, I highly recommend at least trying to get a reservation. That assures you of a campsite.

For distances..

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/mileages9-2007.pdf

Remember... depending on the time of day that you drive, the roads can be slow. 35 mph is the speed limit through much of the park and people often go slower. Anybody who has lived there has likely beaten most of those times. haha..

Have fun. I love the park.

Also... for backpacking, you must camp at least 4 miles from any trailhead, and you can't camp along the edges of the valley walls. Though some do if you climb something like El Capitan.

Lastly, you need a permit to hike half dome. I don't know the process. The last time I did it, there was no permit system. Years ago.

Edit: Also.. its a heavy snow year, so the high country, i.e. Tuolumne meadows will likely not open until July.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Mar 7, 2017 - 07:50pm PT
6 months of research and yer down to asking a bunch of senile geezers? Really? ;-)
I wouldn't expose my kids to the pervs in Camp 4. Do yerselves a favor and try a proper
campground. You might actually get some sleep.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Mar 7, 2017 - 08:02pm PT
Make reservations for one of the regular campgrounds and suck it up. It's the price you pay to climb in the Valley. The climbing and scenery garner an A rating.....i would give the hang a D on a good day.
slabbo

Trad climber
colo south
Mar 8, 2017 - 07:18am PT
You don't say when your going ? Biggest question....hot, crowded and did i mention hot ? But still a must place to go.

Waterfalls should really be rippin' this year
WBraun

climber
Mar 8, 2017 - 07:28am PT
This year especially would be better to get a campground in the Valley floor.

There will be road construction to repair flood damage and aging parts of the road infrastructures.

Traffic in and out of the Valley will most likely be very trying.

Best of wishes ......
Killer K

Boulder climber
Sacramento, CA
Mar 8, 2017 - 07:31am PT
Camp at shuteye? Free and less crowded. Albeit farther away.

Probably not that great of an idea....
10b4me

Mountain climber
Retired
Mar 8, 2017 - 07:36am PT
September is nice, but I assume your kids would be in school. June is another nice time to come out. July, and August will typically be hot.
As John M suggested, Bridalveil cg would be a good option, maybe White Wolf.
How long is your stay here?
Jon Beck

Trad climber
Oceanside
Mar 8, 2017 - 07:39am PT
I disagree with Reilly on the inhabitants of C4, it is not bad. However as a financial matter four people in C4 is 20 bucks a night, might as well pay a little more and get a reserved site. no worries about where to park or lining up for a site.

You can still walk around C4, sleeping there will not infuse history into you. Or you could decide to get to the valley late at night a day early, line up at the kiosk and spend one night there then more on to your reserved campsite the next day.

Below is a night I got in line at 2 am, these people were already there, anyone arriving after 4 am was out of luck. That was not typical, but is possible. As you can see almost none of these people were climbers. C4 is the de facto overflow for the valley

justthemaid

climber
Jim Henson's Basement
Mar 8, 2017 - 07:41am PT
Oy- I personally would not do Camp 4 with family in tow. It's crowded and loud. Your kids won't be happy. You won't be happy. If there is a wife or partner- she definitely won't be happy.
Save camp 4 for an adult trip.

I'd try to get a reservation in a proper campsite- Valley Floor like WB suggested or maybe switch the visit to Tuolumne with some car trips to the Valley. There's no getting away from the crowds and summer is always a nightmare- even when there isn't construction going on.

You could also volunteer for Yosemite Facelift- last week in Sept. You can apply for free camping during a less crowded season and the volunteer aspect might be a great experience for the kids.
WBraun

climber
Mar 8, 2017 - 07:42am PT
Jon Beck

Looks like 4th of July weekend?
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Mar 8, 2017 - 07:43am PT
Taking the long hike to the top of the upper falls, and out to Yosemite Point, or hiking Snow Creek trail and out to the top of Watkins would be better than HD. The Falls trail can have a lot of folks on it, but at least you don't have to stand in line....

Tenaya Peak in Tuolumne etc. there are so many options.
WBraun

climber
Mar 8, 2017 - 07:45am PT
Tuolumne will open very very late this summer due to the tremendous snow pack this winter .....
Crazy Bat

Sport climber
Birmingham, AL & Seweanee, TN
Mar 8, 2017 - 03:43pm PT
Get one of these cards if you dont have one.

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm&ved=0ahUKEwiHgKCDicjSAhVIxoMKHW3cArAQFggaMAA&usg=AFQjCNFLrwhNflgp0OGGzZkFrbXG0IEkGA

I have been waved by at the entrance several times just by hanging it out the window. Not only does it get you into the park for free it reduces camping fees by 50%.

My group frequently camps a Yosemite Creek campground. More primitive than Camp 4 and seven miles of dirt road keep lots of people out. If all else fails take the hikers bus up to the trailhead and hike down the trail all the wasy to Camp 4 going right past the turn off for the top of El Cap and a quick little 1/2 mile dture up to the Lost Arrow. Takes you right past Yosemite Falls.

About a one hour commute to El Cap Meadow.

White Wolf is a campground with facilities and no gravel road. If there is a heavy snow pack neither may be open.

johntp

Trad climber
socal
Mar 8, 2017 - 05:01pm PT
15 days from Cincy and back? You'll barely scratch the surface. Reserve a campsite for peace of mind.

Seriously, you've spent 6 months researching this and that is all you have gleaned?

Don't mean to be harsh, but it seems to me you have some glorified view of the Valley based on the 50's. Granted, it is a magical place if you can get past the crowds.

Good luck, you will need it.


Edit: consider renting a couple of tent cambins at Curry Village. Pricy ut might be worth it.
BigRockJim

Trad climber
Hamilton Ohio
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 30, 2017 - 04:44pm PT
Rotten Johnny. I've thought about this a bit since you posted that. Honestly I'm not sure? We typically don't like the crowds but I think the experience will be a fair trade?

John. Thanks. From everyone's postings I think we'll find a place suitable when we arrive. Hoping to make it on a Monday or Tuesday morning. We're leaving June 7th and decided to make it a 21 day trip.

Reilly. I've heard good and bad on camp 4. But once you mentioned sleep I think camp 4 may be a nogo.

Mike. I think we'll be winging a lot on f things lol.

Slabbo. June 7-27

John beck. Is it charged per person? Even with minor children?
I do think I'll be finding a different camp though. Maybe I'll try for 1 night just to say we did lol.

Survival. Thanks for the tip. I'll look into that.

Crazybat. Awesome! Thank you.

Johntp. It's more about spending time with the kids than anything. I was able to extend the trip to 21 days fortunately. As for the 6 months of research....... there's many different things you read about the same thing which makes reality hard to figured out, that's why I turned to posting here. Obviously I know most of our plans will not work as expected but at least we can day dream and attempt to plan so we have a basis to go by.

Having the ability to do this with my kids is beyond amazing! Hints, tips, thoughts, and the such only give us more info to be armed with in our travels.

We're all super excited here! I have been picking up extra shifts to pay for any "Extra's" we decide to indulge in. We have decided we're going to camp in our own tents our entire trip more for the experience than anything.

I have started a website so friends and family can follow us on our journeys as well as a FB page. My daughter wants to try her hand at blogging so hopefully this will be a great learning experience for her.

http://www.ourminitrip.com
Lynne Leichtfuss

Trad climber
Will know soon
Mar 30, 2017 - 05:23pm PT
You will need to weigh all the information here. Your kids are not children. Camp 4 is crazy, but fun and you meet people from all over the world. Tell the oldest to be careful. It's an adventure, it should be lived as one.
c wilmot

climber
Mar 30, 2017 - 05:27pm PT
dont trust your gps/map when it comes to the sierra pass you take. Make sure the road is open.
I think survival had a great idea with the snow creek trail. You can get a permit and stay in the valley for one night before and after a backcountry camping trip at the backpackers camp. Snow creek has areas to camp not far from the rim where it might have some snow free sites.
It's hard hiking and sun exposed but arguably is the least travelled trail in the valley to get above the rim and into wilderness areas (where you can camp) Lots of rattlers on that particular trail though so be smart ( seriously )
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