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[Yosemite]

Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Canpground

Hiking, backpacking, running, biking, climbing, rafting, and other human-powered activities in Yosemite National Park

Moderators: Wickett, dan

Re: Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Canpground

Postby Phil » Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:01 am

If you're heading up from the Valley on the way to CR and water is scarce, instead of going up from the CR x JMT junction there at Sunrise Creek, another way to do it is to keep going up the JMT a couple miles to the Forsyth Trail, water up at Sunrise Creek right there, enjoy a lesser climb, hit the junction of the Sunrise Trail and head right to the creek if you need more, then make your way up to CR, approaching from the north instead of the south. Camping at the summit of CR is technically illegal (and not really appreciated by others), but especially if lightning is an issue, the flats on the north side toward the edge of Tenaya Canyon are safer, with not only better/legal sites and lower ground, but with trees that are just the right height as recommended for shelter during a storm.

As for fires: a wink and a nod from one person doesn't necessarily translate into not getting a citation from an LE ranger. Those downed and sectioned trees are part of maintenance, not necessarily for your burning convenience. They usually won't have a problem with you burning them in normal times, but if there's a sign that says "No Fires", you pretty much have to take that as the deal, and assume that if you're the only site with flames rising up from your pit, it's going to draw the unwanted attention of someone that has a ticket book.
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Re: Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Canpground

Postby sambieni » Mon Jul 27, 2020 11:11 am

Anyone know how crowded TM backpacker campground is or if they are letting any overflow into other sites?

Wilderness Permit Office phone orientation to receive permits indicated its crowded, there is no overflow into other sites, and ill advised due to lack of social distancing. But reading this thread gives me indications it may just be inaccurate and just used to discourage folks trying stay overnight pre/post backpacking trip.

Any intel?
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Re: Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Canpground

Postby Phil » Tue Jul 28, 2020 8:43 am

I don't have any direct intel on it, but I doubt there's any sort of nefarious conspiracy involved with their motives at crowd control, although that does have to enter into the picture for obvious reasons. Even under these circumstances, the backpacker's campgrounds are not just a benefit that you're entitled to under permit, but a matter of some health, safety, and reasonable logistical considerations beyond the Big Cov. That being said, capacity is limited to what it otherwise might be, but that right to use the facilities exists, and there are times and places where asses to elbows is what you should expect in any backpacker's camp, on a good day. Keep it in perspective for what it is on the basis of what you need to do, as will everyone around you. The need for physical distancing now supersedes, not only normality, but in allowing otherwise acceptable conditions to exist. They'll do what they've got to do to make it work and remain safe, and for a necessarily inconvenient or unpleasant moment in an otherwise bigger scope of an otherwise great trip, you just deal. Backpacker's camps are really just a place to flop for the night and fire up the stove a couple times, not a camping trip destination in and of themselves. Just keep that in mind, go, and make the most of it you can. You'll be in and out of there before you know it, and then off to bigger and better places for your trouble.
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Re: Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Canpground

Postby AlmostThere » Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:33 am

My experiences with that backpacker camp were generally ... well... habituated bears trolling through tents that are inches apart? Unable to sleep for the partying in the next campsite? A dozen people singing in Swedish? German? IDK but it was f'ing annoying, also throwing glass in the fire ring and peeing in the fire (burning urine stench is trauma inducing)...

I'll just stay outside the park the first night. A pullout in the national forest for me.
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Re: Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Canpground

Postby Phil » Tue Jul 28, 2020 3:21 pm

The TM campground is always an adventure of its own. Like having neighbors without the fences and walls.
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