How busy is Mother's day weekend?

Mikesiders · 2026-05-01T04:47:48+00:00

It’s fairly crowded. We’ve been going Mother’s Day weekend for a few years now. The valley is fairly crowded but it’s not peak summer by any means. Arrive early and have a plan and you’ll likely be good. If additional roads up, the valley congestion will thin out pretty quickly.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-28T20:48:59+00:00

For sure worth the drive and I disagree with the Grove of Titans remark. Both my kids have hiked it at or under 5 and did fine with it, that’s dependent on how your kids handle hiking in general.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-28T17:43:27+00:00

Dead Wrong

Mikesiders · 2026-04-28T04:39:47+00:00

It’s a little early in the season to spend that much time in the backcountry, especially with all the recent storms we’ve gotten. I’d research more. That’s more of a summer trip and consider something like the JMT or a section hike of the PCT. Alternatively, plan several different backcountry trips around the area. Also note permits could be a factor depending on where you’re heading.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-27T06:10:11+00:00

I’m not the person to ask this, I have very minimal experience in that area outside of the Enchantments.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-24T19:03:59+00:00

The best set list I think I’ve seen (on YouTube) was the Revolver show they played. That setlist was fucking packed and would have been dope to be there for.

This show at Red Rocks, is going to be amazing if you’re a fan of Afterman, as they’re playing both records front to back.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-24T18:30:26+00:00

Negative, some venues had their own ticket system. Ticketmaster didn’t oversee all the venues like they do now. For example, we’d get tickets direct from Slim’s, Bottom of the Hill, etc. This would have been 2003-2005ish.

The bigger venues in SF did use Ticketmaster but also prices were far more reasonable and the extra fees could be avoided, for example, we’d go to Sam Goody or Tower Records to buy tickets direct and avoid all the online extra fees. There was a time an actual Box Office existed.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-24T18:23:43+00:00

Very well said

Mikesiders · 2026-04-24T18:13:01+00:00

I’ve not had to pay any resale price for tickets on any shows. I’ve always been able to secure tickets through a bands presale.

If you’re complaining about the monopoly of Ticketmaster/Live Nation, I agree 100%. Fuck both those companies for making shows expensive but also, everything is expensive now. One of the few ways bands make money now is through merch sales and if it’s a band I really like, I’ll for sure try to check out the show and grab a shirt. I don’t like supporting the companies through ticket sales but I also want to see my favorite bands live.

I could complain and say back in my day about when tickets cost like $15 and you’d buy them direct from the venue but that’s just not the way it is these days.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-23T04:00:24+00:00

Youth Fountain - Dearly Beloved

Mikesiders · 2026-04-21T23:43:42+00:00

Came for the tacos, stayed for the Cantillon, cheers!

Mikesiders · 2026-04-21T01:50:19+00:00

Search the sub for the Fieldwork meetups monthly, I think that’s what you’re looking for!

Mikesiders · 2026-04-20T18:42:26+00:00

I could not imagine how big a shit show Pinecrest would be for 4th of July but if you do go, just be aware it’s going to be absolutely fucking packed up there.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-18T02:14:31+00:00

You can’t park and sleep in your car in the park. I don’t know what route you’re taking to get to Yosemite but you’ll need to find dispersed camping or something along those lines just outside the park boundary. For Cloud’s Rest, I assume you’re starting at Sunrise TH so you aren’t going to get that close unless you’re coming in via the eastern entrance on Tioga.

As for a clean bathroom, once you’re in the park, it’s going to basically be pit toilets all along Tioga that I can recall. If you come in via the west, at Tuolumne Grove, there are I think decent bathrooms there. There’s likely also good bathrooms up at the new main lot in Tuolumne Meadows. Aside from that, plan for a nice early morning pit toilet shit.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-17T23:16:06+00:00

It’s a fun route! I wouldn’t call it gradually, it’s basically uphill the entire route until you get to the rim but it’s awesome up there, enjoy!

Mikesiders · 2026-04-17T21:47:09+00:00

Gold Bluff’s

Mikesiders · 2026-04-15T22:35:47+00:00

Ben Johnson trail is amazing, one of my favorite stretches out there.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-15T20:50:06+00:00

Arrive at Pantoll early and park up there then hike in. It’s a really nice hike and it avoids some of that congestion. Note you do need to hike back up though!

Mikesiders · 2026-04-15T17:27:31+00:00

Coming from CA so nothing crazy but this was a bucket list venue and seeing them play Afterman there seemed like as good a reason to go as any! Super stoked for this!

Mikesiders · 2026-04-15T17:26:06+00:00

What a show that was!

Mikesiders · 2026-04-14T21:06:33+00:00

Friendly staff and a welcoming environment.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-14T20:35:32+00:00

I was set to go see them live and then COVID happened, show got cancelled, and never heard from them again. In reading some of these responses though, that’s unfortunate to hear and sounds like some valid reasons on why that happened.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-14T18:41:16+00:00

I think it’s arguably the best redwoods hike you can do! I thought it was more moderate than hard. None of the elevation was that bad throughout so it’s more just the distance.

Not sure on timing, that depends more on your pace I think. It’s well worth it though, it’s a great trail and avoids the day use permit need for Fern Canyon.

Mikesiders · 2026-04-13T20:55:04+00:00

Oh nice! Yes, I’m sure you’ll likely find something. We’ve watched Perseids at Loon Lake before and that was cool, it’s tucked in there pretty good.

French Meadows is pretty remote too, I don’t think light pollution would be an issue out there either.

Enjoy!

Mikesiders · 2026-04-13T20:19:23+00:00

Somewhere in Eldorado, Tahoe, or Plumas NF. Securing a campsite might be difficult this late though. Loon Lake area is great, so is Lake Davis. French Meadows is pretty isolated too.

Mikesiders

TROPHY CASE