trailheads, permits

[amigo]

Hi.

1. Can one park their car at the Porcupine Creek and Sunrise Lake trailheads for day-hikes?

2. What should I expect the traffic to be like driving into Yosemite Valley on a Friday late afternoon/evening mid-August if we're arriving from Tioga Rd? I have these visions of bumper to bumper traffic but not sure if that's really what it's likely to be.

3. Assume I have a wilderness permit allowing me to start the Porcupine Creek trailhead on a Friday morning and ending in Yosemite Valley Saturday some time. I then have a second wilderness permit allowing a start from Happy Isles on the same day I finish the first one (Saturday). I will pick up my first permit Thursday (one day prior to my Friday start). Can I pick up my second permit at the same time? I know there's a permit office in Yosemite Valley but I'd prefer having it with me. Hypothetically, what if I were to start a 2-day wilderness trip at one trailhead, then the 2nd day, I had to cross the road to start another trailhead and there's no office there. I would have to have my second permit with me. Will they allow you to get both permits at once even if it breaks the day prior rule?

4. If I pick up a wilderness permit same day as my start date, how late can I pick it up before they decide I'm a no-show and might re-sell the permit? Do they even do that?

Thanks very much.

[balzaccom]

1. Yes

2. Hard to say. Later in August, schools are in session in California, and the traffic isn't so bad. But plan on driving about 30 mph on the road no matter what. It only takes one RV to slow down a whole string of cars.

3. I'd simply ask them this question. Usually they will hold a permit for you if you TELL them that you are going to be late. But you have to notify them...and they usually want word sometime early that day. Could you have someone else call them about that? My guess is that this won't be a problem. And you DO know that you can take the shuttle bus around the Valley for free....it's very efficient and gets you from one trailhead to another quickly.

4. I seem to remember that it's something like ten a.m....but check with them. Again, this is all on computers at the Wilderness Office, so that can put notes in and address special cases and needs.

[AlmostThere]

Hi.

1. Can one park their car at the Porcupine Creek and Sunrise Lake trailheads for day-hikes?

Yup, there is a lot or ample space off the pavement along the road.

2. What should I expect the traffic to be like driving into Yosemite Valley on a Friday late afternoon/evening mid-August if we're arriving from Tioga Rd? I have these visions of bumper to bumper traffic but not sure if that's really what it's likely to be.

The real bottleneck is going from Curry to the Village, and from the Village to the Lodge. Beyond those two choke points it usually moves slowly but not unbearably slow, unless there is a bear/deer/coyote jam and everyone is just stopped and taking pictures. Coming into the valley you should be fine until you get to the intersection right before Curry. The rangers start to direct traffic when it gets bad and then blocks of 10-15 cars go through stop signs at a time, so it moves okay once it's moving.

3. Assume I have a wilderness permit allowing me to start the Porcupine Creek trailhead on a Friday morning and ending in Yosemite Valley Saturday some time. I then have a second wilderness permit allowing a start from Happy Isles on the same day I finish the first one (Saturday). I will pick up my first permit Thursday (one day prior to my Friday start). Can I pick up my second permit at the same time? I know there's a permit office in Yosemite Valley but I'd prefer having it with me. Hypothetically, what if I were to start a 2-day wilderness trip at one trailhead, then the 2nd day, I had to cross the road to start another trailhead and there's no office there. I would have to have my second permit with me. Will they allow you to get both permits at once even if it breaks the day prior rule?

There are no exceptions to the permit pickup rules. You'll have to pick it up no later than 10 am the day of the trip unless you call and tell them you can't be there til later than that. You'll have to pick it up no earlier than the day before. If you are thinking that crossing a road means you need two permits, you don't - one permit will suffice. You can cross a road. You can't turn and walk along it, because the road is not wilderness area, but you can briefly leave and re-enter wilderness by crossing to the trail on the other side.

If you come down Snow Creek and cross the valley on trails (which is possible) and then go up Happy Isles... well, I don't think that breaks the rules either. But in that case I would ask the ranger when you reserve the permit to be sure. If they won't allow that, you can hop on a shuttle and go to the wilderness office, get the second permit, and go to the backpacker camp or the other trailhead.

4. If I pick up a wilderness permit same day as my start date, how late can I pick it up before they decide I'm a no-show and might re-sell the permit? Do they even do that?

Thanks very much.

10 am, unless you made other arrangements with them.