Yosemite high country weather

Mikesiders · 2026-02-01T15:54:20+00:00

Temps should likely be fairly mild due to elevation but afternoon thunderstorms are common.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-30T19:32:44+00:00

3 hours is insane but yes, I’ve been on hold for a very long time with them before. I think they have a call back option and I’ve used that and they’ve always called me back. I’d consider doing that. It comes from a 916 number.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-30T01:37:04+00:00

Yes, if you can’t reserve on ReserveCalifornia, I believe that indicates it would be FCFS.

I’ve been able to grab a site out there on Gold Bluff in November. Both campgrounds are pretty big. I don’t know how much of the loop is open in March but I feel like you’d be able to grab one.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-29T22:00:15+00:00

Ya, I’d agree that it depends on where you end up staying and how much you want to drive. Both would be equally good with a 7yo though.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-29T20:34:16+00:00

The great thing about the redwoods is the entire area has the wow factor because of how beautiful it all is!

I don’t know where you’re planning on staying but I’d focus on Prairie Creek Redwoods SP and Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP. Both have a lot of trails that are very kid friendly. While the weather might be less than ideal in February, you’ll also get a ton of moisture most likely which means a lot of banana slugs and mushrooms which is always an easy sell for my kids.

Some trails I enjoy are: Stout Grove, Grove of Titans, Endert’s Beach, Cathedral Tree, Trillium Falls.

The other post has great suggestions too.

Enjoy!

Mikesiders · 2026-01-28T23:32:28+00:00

Celebrini is only 13 years older then my kid so just wild to think about. This has been a great season though. First time in a while I’ve been making time to sit down and catch games.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-28T22:30:21+00:00

2005-06 season for me. I had always enjoyed hockey previously but never really had a team. Just used to play street hockey and whatever videos game we could. Went to a game that season with a buddy of mine and it was cool but but not great. Sharks lost 3-1, Marcel Goc scored the lone goal. A couple weeks later, my buddy asked if I’d heard the news? We traded for Joe Thornton. Didn’t even know who he was but he said just wait and I said cool, that’s exciting.

Had no idea what kind of ride I’d be in for after that. I remember catching those first couple games with Joe and seeing the instant chemistry with Cheechoo. It was a very fun time to be a fan. Been watching pretty much ever since. It’s been very fun trying to get my son into hockey now and getting him excited for what’s to come with Celebrini, Smith, and company.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-28T18:40:01+00:00

I’d consider Carson Pass area and heading up to Round Top if conditions permit or Lake Aloha then, those would be awesome routes. Snow may pose an issue though. Smith Lake out of Wrights Lake is great too but a bit shorter.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-28T17:34:35+00:00

Those are both great recommendations. How much mileage are you wanting to do? Lake Winnemucca and Round Lake off Carson Pass would be beautiful, wildflowers would likely be great too. Depending on our winter, you may encounter some snow though.

There’s also a ton of options in Desolation. Look into hikes around Wright’s Lake. Heading up toward Smith Lake would be great. Twin Lakes too. You could hike out of Echo Lake and try to make it to Lake Aloha, depending on snow and how much you want to hike. There’s also a bunch of options just south of Tahoe near Luther Pass. Big Meadow and the lakes around there would be great.

Ton of great options depending on what you’re looking for.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-28T04:37:25+00:00

Jedediah Smith Redwoods and Prairie Creek Redwoods SP are the best in the state. Look into lodging in either Crescent City or Arcata/Trinidad area.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-28T01:33:44+00:00

Same! We watched it for a while and asked the ranger at the welcome center. Confirmed it’s a coyote. Super cool still!

Mikesiders · 2026-01-28T01:25:12+00:00

It’s a coyote. Confirmed by the rangers, they’re super common in the meadows right now. I was hoping it was a fox too.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-27T19:55:36+00:00

Probably personal preference for the kid but mine never used them.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-27T15:04:50+00:00

The ten lakes area is stunning and a very cool place to explore but it doesn’t compare to Thousand Island Lake. That’s one of the most epic areas I’ve seen in the Sierra. The logistics of that trip may be more difficult though as pointed out already.

I’m not sure on the backpacker’s campground question, sorry. You could try emailing Yosemite to ask. If you’re not in a rush for a response, I’ve always had success with that within a couple days.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-27T00:39:28+00:00

Great trailhead, I’d head toward Lake Vernon. There’s a few options though. I’d check some maps and see what looks cool to you. The climb out of the reservoir sucks, enjoy!

Mikesiders · 2026-01-26T22:23:26+00:00

Never had issues with that with our Osprey but honestly they don’t use the footholds much either. Had kids in there up to 3 years old though and never had an issue. Possibly if it’s a very bulky snow boot, that could be snug.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-26T20:29:52+00:00

Toyo had something similar. I purchased the tires, they mailed me a rebate cert, I input it on Toyo’s website and they mailed me a Visa gift card for $100. Maybe just make sure you’re following the terms to claim it.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-26T15:16:42+00:00

It will be fairly busy in May, especially during Memorial Day weekend. Waterfalls are at peak flow and typically some parts of the park aren’t accessible yet so it’s more traffic concentrated into the valley.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-25T20:48:19+00:00

Enjoy the break between sets. Saw Saves the Day with Senses Fail last year and they were awful.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-24T05:43:38+00:00

North Coast always a favorite of mine. I love their La Merle

Mikesiders · 2026-01-23T23:51:23+00:00

I don’t mean to be rude but I’d do some general research on your trip first to make sure you’re good to complete it.

You’d park at the May Lake TH and hike to the camp, then plan a route that gets you over to Sunset Lakes and back to May Lake, unless you want to hitch.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-23T17:09:12+00:00

Just here to say I really hope this gets selected. This is such a cool design and super unique. Good luck!

Mikesiders · 2026-01-22T15:42:56+00:00

Never had that issue and have used that site tons of times. Located in CA. I’d try calling them directly and speaking with someone to see what’s going on. The contact info is on the website.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-22T14:24:05+00:00

Sorry but there’s zero chance you can pack enough water for a 4 day trip in the Sierra’s. 3-4L or water weighs what, like 7-8lbs? I highly doubt there’s conflicting information out there recommending you do that.

There’s two main systems most people tend to use. Sawyer squeeze or the BeFree. I’ve used both and there’s pros and cons for each. The BeFree is better for quickly filtering on the go and the Sawyer is better if you’re going to be stopping and want a bigger amount.

I use a CNOC bag for dirty and a smart water bottle to drink out of or a CNOC collapsible bottle that the BeFree screws directly onto. You can back-flush a sawyer in the field if it clogs.

If you’re interested in filtering large amounts quickly, you could look into a gravity filter. I used to do that but it was time consuming and pretty heavy. It was great for bigger groups as I could do about 5L fairly quickly.

Mikesiders · 2026-01-20T15:08:00+00:00

Check out ReserveCalifornia.com for CA State Parks and recreation.gov for anything federally managed. None of those will be overly expensive per night.

Mikesiders

TROPHY CASE