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How's Tuolumne....

Original Post
Ilya · · Seattle · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 10

With the fire and all. Thinking of heading there tomorrow and was wondering if anybody has updated details. Thanks.

ze dirtbag · · Tahoe · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 50

i was in the cathedral area yesterday. it wasn't too bad.....what is the wind forecast like?

Greg Barnes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 2,060

It'll depend on the winds. On Thursday & Friday the Dark Hole fire was putting up a lot of smoke, but it was all heading north and basically zero made it up to Tuolumne. But with the new fire and the Valley filling with smoke like yesterday, the smoke will likely end up in Tuolumne. So look at the detailed wind forecasts, and combine that with the pile of Valley webcams (the Glacier Point cam shows a fair chunk of Tuolumne), and you'll get the best estimate.

Jan Tarculas · · Riverside, Ca · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 917

thinking of heading to tuolumne on monday. has the fires affected any road closures going there? I'll be heading up the 395 though so I wouldn't need to enter through yosemite gates on the west side

Angie C · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 55

As of a few days ago, the roads were all back open. The only problem for a couple days was getting into the valley, but that road has opened back up too. I'd double check on the Yosemite website right before you go just to be safe though.

csproul · · Pittsboro...sort of, NC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 330

Been there the last couple of days. All roads are open and conditions were excellent. It is a little smoky and hazy, but not too bad.

Jan Tarculas · · Riverside, Ca · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 917

damn weather! looks like chance of thunderstorms tomorrow and rest of the week..

I need suggestions!

Angie C · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 55

Alpine starts. Climb fast. Choose routes with easy bailing options. The potential rain comes after noon.

Jan Tarculas · · Riverside, Ca · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 917

thanks! maybe I'll take my chances. I was just planning on c driving up tomorrow and climbing tuesday. Trying to do west crack and bombs over tokyo. if anything maybe just single pitch stuff incase

Jan Tarculas · · Riverside, Ca · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 917
csproul wrote:Been there the last couple of days. All roads are open and conditions were excellent. It is a little smoky and hazy, but not too bad.
Any suggestion you think I can find easier walk on camp site?

•White Wolf (RVs up to 27 feet/trailers up to 24 feet)
•Porcupine Flat (limited space for RVs up to 24 feet/trailers up to 20 feet)
•Tuolumne Meadows

These are the ones I saw online for walk ins closes to the climbing
csproul · · Pittsboro...sort of, NC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 330
RNclimber wrote: Any suggestion you think I can find easier walk on camp site? •White Wolf (RVs up to 27 feet/trailers up to 24 feet) •Porcupine Flat (limited space for RVs up to 24 feet/trailers up to 20 feet) •Tuolumne Meadows These are the ones I saw online for walk ins closes to the climbing
In Tuolumne I've only ever stayed at the Meadows campground. I think 40% of the site are unreservable, i.e. first come first served. I think they open the kiosk at 7:30am and give everyone in line a number. Then you come back later in the morning (10:00?) to see what/if site you get based on how many they count open that morning. Im not sure what the success rate is. I've always managed to get a reservation even if it was a last minute cancellation, but I'd hope that middle of the week you might be ok if you can get in line at opening. There are also walk-in camp sites in the Meadows and I'm not sure how the reservation system is different for those. I have never stayed at any of the other campgrounds and they are definitely farther away from most of the climbing.
Lou Cerutti · · Carlsbad, California · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 209

I just Spent the last seven days between
Porcupine and White Wolf having had great luck snagging prime camping sites with an 8am arrival or earlier. Had the same luck last year with porcupine as well. The smoke obscures the views of the valley from Olmsted and elsewhere but mostly went unnoticed aside from feeling it in the lungs a bit. 120 to the valley was reopened as of Wednesday night. I believe the fires were coming under control.

Good luck!

flynn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2002 · Points: 25

Not necessarily close to the climbing, but beautiful walk-in camping can be had at Saddlebag, downhill from Tioga Pass Resort. Campsites are about an acre each (!), great views, quiet, equipped with tables and bear boxes. About as different from near-Valley campgrounds as you can get!

You'd have to obtain water someplace else, but that's not a problem thanks to a standpipe at the very noisy campground right on the highway.

Jan Tarculas · · Riverside, Ca · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 917
flynn wrote:Not necessarily close to the climbing, but beautiful walk-in camping can be had at Saddlebag, downhill from Tioga Pass Resort. Campsites are about an acre each (!), great views, quiet, equipped with tables and bear boxes. About as different from near-Valley campgrounds as you can get! You'd have to obtain water someplace else, but that's not a problem thanks to a standpipe at the very noisy campground right on the highway.
awesome! thanks for the post. I will keep this in mind. campsite isn't even that far. at least its already on the 120 and up the hill from the 395. how much is the camp fees there? this site didn't show up on NPS.gov. Im guessing it's not part of yosemite national park
Jan Tarculas · · Riverside, Ca · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 917
LCerutti wrote:I just Spent the last seven days between Porcupine and White Wolf having had great luck snagging prime camping sites with an 8am arrival or earlier. Had the same luck last year with porcupine as well. The smoke obscures the views of the valley from Olmsted and elsewhere but mostly went unnoticed aside from feeling it in the lungs a bit. 120 to the valley was reopened as of Wednesday night. I believe the fires were coming under control. Good luck!
We probably won't get there till mid afternoon. Leaving riverside, ca tomorrow morn. We are hoping the chance of rain and thunder will scare folks away
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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