Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. Many have said that Yosemite's natural beauty has the power to take one's breath away. It is breathtaking! The eastern gate into Yosemite National Park (Tioga Pass Hwy 120) is just 45 minutes north of Mammoth Lakes.This entrance is closed in the winter. Yosemite has far more to offer than just the beauty. Experience fishing for wild trout throughout Yosemite. Spring, summer or fall, this region offers a wide variety of extraordinary angling opportunities with four species of wild trout.

Soaring peaks, tranquil lakes, towering waterfalls, and ancient forests await travelers ready to venture away from the highway and into the Yosemite wilderness. Few park visitors go beyond a few busy trailheads, yet the park has hundreds of miles of beautiful trails for hiking. Walking to the edge of a three thousand-foot high precipice is an unforgettable experience. From the Valley Rim the great depth of the chasm is breathtakingly evident. On high country trails, hikers encounter another Yosemite of mountain peaks, wildflower gardens, and permanent snowfields. Yosemite Valley has an excellent bike path system and bikes to rent. Yosemite is also a birder's paradise. The rich variety of birds in Yosemite is a reflection of the Park's rich

ecological diversity. A visit to Yosemite is not complete without greeting the true giants of the tree world, Sequoias. Call 209-372-0200.

YARTS offers a choice to those traveling in the region who would rather ride on a bus from outlying communities into Yosemite Valley than drive. For a reasonable fare, visitors can purchase round-trip tickets to ride into the park, and leave their vehicles parked at hotels and motels at which they are staying. Call 888-899-2787. Excerpts taken from "The Yosemite Fund" brochure, "Yosemite Guides" brochure and "YARTS" brochure.

Yosemite National Park Implements Half Dome Day Use Permits

Approximately 84,000 people climbed to the top of Half Dome in 2008 making it one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite National Park.  The iconic granite monolith, at 8,842 feet above sea level, attracts people from all over the world who attempt to climb to the summit.  Most visitors ascend Half Dome via the cables, which are in place from mid-May through mid-October. 

In an effort to more effectively manage the high number of users, the park will institute an interim program that will require a Day Use Permit to hike the cables on Half Dome on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays starting in May, 2010.  Four hundred permits will be issued per day, 300 of these will be Day Use Permits and 100 will be included in wilderness permits.  These permits are required for the use of the trail from the base of the Subdome to the summit of Half Dome and include the Half Dome cable route.

The Half Dome Day Use Permits will be available starting March 1, 2010 through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.  Each person climbing the Half Dome cables will be required to have their own permit.  Up to four permits may be obtained under one reservation.  The permits are free, however, there is a non-refundable $1.50 service charge for each permit obtained.