A trip to the park i the shutdown

[HikerWho?]

Hi

Have travelled from overseas to see yosemite so am thinking that if the shutdown doesn't end by next week i might hike around the park even with shutdown in place

Does anyone know if people are banned from entering the park by foot?

Also what is the penalty if i get caught?

I find it incredible that a country can shutdown a park.

Also what dangerous animals should i be wary of if camping wild. I know about bears and that food should not be left in tents. Is it worth buying a bear alarm?

Thanks

Mr Hiker

[balzaccom]

THere are only four roads leading into Yosemite, and they apparently are being controlled. Highway 120 over Tioga Pass is open, but you are apparently prevented from stopping inside the park--although it is not clear how.

Yes, there are dangerous animals and situations in the park...but millions of people visit it each year without injury. It is not enough to store your food outside your tent. It needs to be in a bear-proof container, either in a bearbox at the campground (campgrounds are currently closed) or in a bear canister (available through the wilderness offices, also closed)

I don't know what a bear alarm is, and we have camped and backed n Yosemite for 50 years.

[AlmostThere]

I don't think that is a good idea. Emergency services, AKA Search and Rescue, are among the many things not operating during the furlough. Going in, not having anyone know you are there, and getting hurt is going to be too much of a risk to you - particularly right now when snow has already fallen and is increasingly likely to start falling again, and the temperatures are dropping.

You do not understand the numbers - millions of people visit every year without injury, but thousands DO get injured and have medical issues and get lost. The death rate in Yosemite is pretty high as well. The SAR team in Yosemite is one of the few that operates multiple times a day.

Also, there is a skeleton staff of rangers who are patrolling - and you'll be fined for trespassing.

Bear alarms, hanging your food, sleeping with your food, etc will not work. A bear canister works. Anything else and you run the risk of getting hurt as well as losing your food.

[HikerWho?]

Thanks for the info guys. I will be going with an experienced snow hiker if i did go. Sounds like a bear canister the way to go.

Any idea how much the fine is?

Cost me an arm and a leg to get here and yosemite was supposed to be highlight. Got a feeling the shutdown gonna last till 17th and i'll be gone by then.

America's a great country but the laws needs changing, politians shutting down parks is completely out of order. I heard that if that put it to the vote there would be enough reps on demo side to open parks again so the system obviously not working. Too much power given to too few. Rant over

Thanks again for the advise

[AlmostThere]

Don't forget your snow cables, which the rental companies don't want you to put on their cars but you'll need for sure if it snows since they won't be clearing any roads.

You might want a couple thousand just to be certain you can get your car back - I'm not sure, but I suspect they'll tow and impound anything left around. No reason for the semi-local tow companies in Mariposa and Oakhurst not to make money on the deal.

Probably shouldn't park anywhere on 120 - no overnight parking in the first place, and I'm pretty sure they'd tow anything at your expense left along that route. Parking in the valley - well, the lots have gates...

It's snowing tomorrow. The storms are (yay! come on storms! we need good snow!) coming in cycles and very welcome - any time now hopefully they'll dump feet, not inches.... Can't wait for that winter night up in the high country in deep snow.

This weekend I was going to the Diving Board, right next door to Half Dome - instead I'll be just outside the park border in the equally fantastic scenery of the Sierra National Forest, standing on a peak looking at Half Dome from a new angle. I suspect it will be just as splendorous and the cars will be there when we come out, sans fine on the windshield.

[AlmostThere]

In case you think I am blowing things out of proportion,
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/09/us/govern ... ?hpt=hp_t1

They do not play games.

120 was closed today, btw. Suspect it will reopen when the snow melts back again.