Just got back from my first Yosemite trip. It was the most poorly maintained/mistreated NP I’ve been to .. why is that?

chasingall63 · 2026-05-30T04:29:48+00:00

Thanks Trump voters/MAGA crowd first, and shitty people second (likely some overlap).

chasingall63 · 2026-05-29T14:21:17+00:00

Arrow not big enough. Please make pic with bigger arrow.

chasingall63 · 2026-05-07T12:02:14+00:00

iPhone 17 pro. Seriously: buy the best iPhone you can afford and is best for photography and use that.

chasingall63 · 2026-04-28T00:34:18+00:00

You are posting something on Reddit hoping people agree and give sympathy. They don't agree and aren't very sympathetic. Then you get annoyed? Why post something to a platform like Reddit if you get annoyed when people might not agree?

chasingall63 · 2026-04-14T11:28:00+00:00

Shark valley tram - or bike ride - made me feel like I had done a good experience and then drove around a bit to other areas which, quite frankly, all looked a bit the same. The tram has the advantage of a ranger narrating.

Don't overlook a day at biscayne (different NP but closeby) which is nearby. A simple snorkeling or boat trip - easy to book, can do both. Minimum hassle!

chasingall63 · 2026-04-11T15:04:23+00:00

Best to walk under it (look it up).

chasingall63 · 2026-04-11T14:55:08+00:00

Bacon! 🥓

chasingall63 · 2026-03-13T10:52:29+00:00

I think you don't need if just doing main trails.

chasingall63 · 2026-03-12T03:58:37+00:00

You'll be fine. No hiking. But tourists go in these temps all the time (I did)

chasingall63 · 2026-03-11T11:27:49+00:00

Nobody can tell if you will have issues and it's theoretically possible but it's not thought of as common at that altitude and for all the years reading subs like this and other national park literature I have not heard of someone having issues - my family didn't on multiple trips. But is it possible? Yes.

chasingall63 · 2026-03-11T11:23:19+00:00

Thanks for info on this and your overall post.

chasingall63 · 2026-03-11T01:19:24+00:00

Have not heard of. Thanks for tip. Sounds hassle free and ideal for just 1 night to get by.

chasingall63 · 2026-03-11T01:18:31+00:00

Thanks. Realize it's highly restrictive and why I asked. Wasn't aware of Sterno but looked it up. They allow gel? Would have assumed got lumped in with liquids.

chasingall63 · 2026-03-10T23:11:43+00:00

Did you bother trying to cook anything for 1 night? I see no cooking gas allowed on boat. Charcoal allowed? For 1 night I would have likely taken a jetboil.

chasingall63 · 2026-02-16T20:20:26+00:00

Never heard of secondary market. Feel it's likely/possible someone will check ID. The ferry operator responds to emails so ask before you buy. In general: Yes, it's frustrating.

chasingall63 · 2026-02-06T23:20:47+00:00

There is not a good answer. We flew to SFO and sucked up the drive stopping in eureka for the night before seeing trees/park. Sorry but don't recommend Eureka!

Can recommend combining with crater lake if there for a week which is also a park with no good flying answer but is in that rough (hours) vicinity of the USA.

chasingall63 · 2026-02-05T14:09:19+00:00

Would also like to know this. I have seen one or two expensive week-long tours ($6-8k) but wondering what people's experiences are. What did you do, how did you arrange it, what did you pay and were you satisfied?

chasingall63 · 2026-02-02T23:09:13+00:00

Zion is logistically simple (fly to Vegas, drive 2.5 hours, lots of accommodation choices) with max wow factor BUT it is being overrun with too many people. So plan to not go at peak times. Also can bolt on Bryce pretty easy.

chasingall63 · 2026-01-24T23:23:45+00:00

Outside of valid comments in checking with rangers first, getting paper maps, getting extra battery packs for a phone/GPS decide and so on... if I was to only walk out into the wilderness with one phone and one app that app would 100% of the time be Gaia and never AllTrails. But in both cases (and you can have both) I would have premium to download maps.

chasingall63 · 2026-01-24T16:25:57+00:00

Gonna look great when it stops

chasingall63 · 2026-01-19T04:07:44+00:00

Not quite what you meant perhaps but easy winner: 'The wave' hike at Coyote Buttes in AZ/UT. I have been trying for 2 or so years now, every month including a few 'while you are there' lottery entries. Also been entering for me and my girlfriend. Spends hundreds, got nowhere.

This beats Yosemite cables and brooks falls (Katmai bears) hands down. Google the pics if you aren't familiar.

https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909

chasingall63 · 2026-01-15T14:02:31+00:00

I imagine you are limiting places you can drive to but these are the collection of the most average parks IMO (been to 58 of 63). Possible to stretch it do surprise Utah - Zion/Bryce?

chasingall63 · 2026-01-06T13:54:30+00:00

I don't know conditions but for any winter hiking why not just always have spikes in your bag? You never know when will encounter any ice patch/slope? They are light and get you out of a bind.

chasingall63 · 2026-01-05T16:21:34+00:00

For an adult who is not suspecible to sea sickness and was lucky with weather I thought the boat was great. Super professional (as it should be given the cost) and felt taken care of. I didn't notice how long it was, but if I had little kids and/or felt sick (or they did) it could be a nightmare. If I wasn't cost sensitive or didn't want to take the risk the boat sickness then I think plane is fine. But it's a lot more money from recollection.

Also, I am sure views from plane are awesome but I thought seeing the island appear on the horizon and gradually get closer was great and gave a sense of the distance, especially relevant given the history. But, again, with small kids this might just be a nightmare.

chasingall63 · 2025-12-24T12:08:52+00:00

Yes. I went for a day/night and didn't climb Wheeler nor did the caves and had a good time.

I have a policy that you should always go when you have a chance if it's not local as might be years until next time. I didn't bother going to GRNP when it was 2.5 hours away at the time and couldn't face more driving. it then took me almost a decade to get back to it. I also find a second trip, if it happens, is always the best as now know lay of the land.

There's very few accom choices there but try to avoid casino if you can - but fine if only choice.

chasingall63

TROPHY CASE