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vagrants
Mountain climber
Adliswil, Switzerland
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 15, 2012 - 10:48am PT
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I live in Switzerland and was planning on climbing in Toulumne this summer, but am really put off by the "permit-jungle, camping restrictions, etc. Tried today to get a tent site from 25 July for 10 nights at Toulumne and was too late.......all booked out. Two questions: 1. What are my chances of finding space when I show up at the campsite in the morning? Assuming I'm successful, do I have to wake up each morning and run to the office and get in line to keep my site? 2. Can I pitch a tent at the base of my climbs or do I need to chase permits for every climb, every wall, etc? I'd appreciate input (I bought the guidebook and it's super, but lacks such petty details.) Thanks in advance!
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Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
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Mar 15, 2012 - 10:53am PT
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Camping possibilities outside the park if you get stuck.
Also as far as camping at the base of climbs it depends on what you have in mind. Routes close to the trailhead or road probably not, but folks will come along in awhile and give you beta if you have more specifics.
Lots of options so stay positive.
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Andy Middleton
Trad climber
Cow Hampshire
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Mar 15, 2012 - 11:31am PT
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There is a good forest service campground just outside the park boundary at Tioga pass (Sawmill), 15 minutes from the meadows. After the weekend i would check back in the meadows for site availability. First come first serve, so if one opens up you can take it for the rest of your stay.
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pvalchev
Social climber
Mountain View, CA / Calgary, AB
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Mar 15, 2012 - 11:54am PT
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Don't sweat it, it's only 15-20 minutes or so to drive to Lee Vining and there are countless camping opportunities there - you can camp anywhere outside of the park at zero cost as it's BLM land, and you avoid the zoo and noise of campgrounds... be sure to check out Whoa Nellie Deli for drinks, food and entertainment... feel free to email me for specifics, happy to help.
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FRUMY
Trad climber
SHERMAN OAKS,CA
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Mar 15, 2012 - 12:02pm PT
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The forest service holds sites back for walk-ins. Be there early. As said above there are plenty of places to camp out of the park.
You my not pitch a tent at climbs. You don't need a permit to climb.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Mar 15, 2012 - 12:11pm PT
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camping in the camp ground can be problematic if you don't get your site reserved for your entire stay...
if you get a site whose reservation has been cancelled you can stay in it for the duration of the original reservation, after which you have to go and wait in line again to get another... unless they move their reservations around due to other cancellations, etc...
another possibility is to camp in one of the grounds along Rt. 120, e.g. Porcupine Flat (which I like better, actually) which is "first come first served" no reservations. There is a high likelihood that showing up on Tu, W, Th morning from about 10 am to about 1 pm that you would get a site which you could stay in for the maximum time. The down side of this is that there is no water available (bring your own) and only pit toilets... (no running water of any kind).
I forget what the current cost is, I remember something like $10/day last year for a site.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Mar 15, 2012 - 12:12pm PT
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Tuolumne is only 50% reservable. Google a bit on how the system works and get after it. I get enough commuting going back and forth to my job. I don't need any more of that crap on vacation.
Don't sweat it, it's only 15-20 minutes or so to drive to Lee Vining No - it's more like 15-20 mins from the Meadows to the Gate, 50-60 to Lee Vining - 2 hours a day commuting.
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nutjob
Gym climber
Berkeley, CA
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Mar 15, 2012 - 12:33pm PT
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Sawmill Campground would be an ideal alternate target if you don't get Tuolumne Meadows, but that fills up too, especially on weekends. Plus, it's basecamp for doing Conness!
If you have a low camping profile (i.e. don't lay out tons of junk and have huge bonfires), just keep the kit in your car and find any other spot east of the Yosemite park boundary (a short and pretty drive from Tuolumne Meadows). Worst case is somewhere down the hill by Highway 395, which is still nice. I might hazard that visitors from the Alps will be inspired by the variety of the desert.
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Mar 15, 2012 - 12:52pm PT
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July 25th is a wednesday, there's a very high chance you'll get in the main Tuolumne campground with little problem other than having to sit/stand in line really early the first morning. The campground is huge and is much, much easier to get into than campgrounds in Yosemite Valley.
As others have said there are many options over the pass, and they are very nicely situated for some climbs such as Mt. Conness, Third Pillar of Dana, etc. Those campgrounds are smaller and can actually be harder to get into in high season, but your midweek arrival is a good plan.
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