Best place to stay in Yosemite in September

Hello:

I'm a Midwest climber planning on doing a climbing trip in September of this year(3 of us, 2 climbers). We have to bring all of our gear on a plane. Money is somewhat of a limiting factor for us, but not the most important. We are willing to pay for some conveniences like hot showers.

What are my best options? Not averse to camping, but we won't stay in camp 4. We are in our 50's. I would even be willing to stay outside the park if that is an option.

We aren't doing any wall climbing, and frankly may partner said he would only be up for maybe three climbing days in a ten day trip. We'll probably do Nutcracker, Royal Arches and if we are feeling it, Serenity/Sons. My wife is sitting this one out.

Thank you in advance for your opinions.
 

This pretty much sums up your options:It depends a little bit on if you are planning to climb in the Vally or up in the Meadows for the best place to stay

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/eatingsleeping.htm

The cheapest options hotel wise, are probably going to be in the town of Oakhurst. This is about a 1 hour drive form the valley.

If you are willing to go sans bathroom and don't mind a 40 minute drive to those climbs, there is a spot outside the 120 gate I can DM you the location for if you want.

Buck, where are you flying TO? For the Valley that would probably be Fresno. If Tuolumne Meadows, it could be Reno. At the time of year you're coming I think the High Country (Tuolumne Meadows) and the Eastern Sierra are prime. Even though the T-meadows camping is highly impacted there's also a ton of  great camping down the E. side toward Lee Vining. Also a few little lodges and such right outside the E. Entrance.

If you want to experience the Valley I'd recommend looking into the Housekeeping Cabins for a cheap but handy option.

We fly Delta, using miles, so it has to be SFO. Rent a car and drive in from the west. I think we are pretty much committed to the valley proper, because our third leg is not a climber and won't have a car while we are climbing and she can use the shuttle in the valley to get around if she gets bored.

$26/night sounds pretty cheap for a campsite in YNP, I think we will go this route if we can get reservations. North Pines looks nice.

I think I am going skiing tonight:

You'll have a blast. So you're going to fly with all your camping gear?

Señor Arroz wrote: You'll have a blast. So you're going to fly with all your camping gear?

Probably. Or rent some when we get there. Haven't thought that far ahead yet. My buddy works for an airline, so I don't think we will have to pay all of the harsh extra baggage fees. Split amongst three people we shouldn't be too bad off. I'll use my Marmot one man, packs down pretty small. Feathered friends bag and eat out every night so we don't need cooking gear.

Caped Baldy wrote: There are hot showers available in Curry Village (I think it's called Half Dome Village these days) for $5.

You actually pay for showers??? To the OP the free camping is best, but you get to figure that out on your own.. right of passage type thing. good luck

England wrote: You actually pay for showers???

What other options are there? Sneaking in without paying?

Buck Rio wrote: Hello:

. Money is somewhat of a limiting factor for us, .

Hold on!!! You have the $$$ for fancy climbing pants, but money is a limiting factor? I believe priorities are the real issue here.

England wrote: You actually pay for showers??? To the OP the free camping is best, but you get to figure that out on your own.. right of passage type thing. good luck

Dude:  I am 52 years old....long past caring whether or not the camping is free.  Convenience is worth paying for, and time is much more valuable to me at this point in my life. I lived out of a Tacoma for a month, so I get that being self-sufficient is rewarding, but not for this trip. 

I do BWCA trips every three years, so I still get outdoors some.

September probably too hot in the Valley (esp for climbing). I'd look into Tuolumne (Tenaya Peak is better than Royal Arches) and campground resos outside the park at Junction Campground or Tioga/Ellery Lake.

Motel type stuff is avail down in Lee Vining and tons of car camping options between there and Deadman's Summit etc.

Buck Rio wrote:

Probably. Or rent some when we get there. Haven't thought that far ahead yet. My buddy works for an airline, so I don't think we will have to pay all of the harsh extra baggage fees. Split amongst three people we shouldn't be too bad off. I'll use my Marmot one man, packs down pretty small. Feathered friends bag and eat out every night so we don't need cooking gear.

That's why I suggested the tent cabins at Housekeeping camp. Possibly cheaper and easier than renting camping gear. Just bring sleeping bags...

England wrote: You actually pay for showers??? To the OP the free camping is best, but you get to figure that out on your own.. right of passage type thing. good luck

I like a bubble bath with lavender scented candles after gnar sendage of my V2 projie....how about you?

I get a pedicure after V3 :P.

Harumpfster Boondoggle wrote:

I like a bubble bath with lavender scented candles after gnar sendage of my V2 projie....how about you?

I get a pedicure after V3.

England is one of those middle-aged folks who still thinks he's a 19 yr old dirtbag, as if being a dirtbag is a good thing.
;-)

Whoa, I did not know that Yosemite is too hot in September...I was there in May in 1998 and it snowed. I thought Yosemite was in an alpine environment??? how about the first half of October?

I can't really go past the middle of October because pheasant season opens October 12, and I plan on hunting.

The tent cabins looked pretty, ahem, chummy, for $120/night. Camping is what my buddy want to do, and if he can get all of our stuff there for free, I'm all for it. We can get fuel there if we decide to bring cooking stuff.

Caped Baldy wrote: I’ve climbed there several times all through August. It’s a hit or miss. There can be cool days or weeks. People assume it’s hot, stay away, and you have the whole place to yourself.  People complain about the Royal Arches, Nut Cracker, and East Buttress of El Cap being a zoo but I’ve done them without another soul on the route or rock. Perfect t-shirt weather start to finish. 

Good to know, I remember doing the Mist trail and being coated with ice on the way back down. It sure rained a lot as well as snowed. Not the best trip I've ever been on. Only got two full climbing days in, and they were on low angle stuff... Munginella and after 7.

with a car you can always go up to Tuolumne if it is too hot in the valley.  get a campsite in the valley to better experience it.  Driving in and out each day can get old.

If you need to rent camping equipment, check out V18 Rentals.
​https://www.v18rentals.com/on-demand-sports-rentals​​​

Buck Rio wrote: Whoa, I did not know that Yosemite is too hot in September...I was there in May in 1998 and it snowed. I thought Yosemite was in an alpine environment??? how about the first half of October?

I can't really go past the middle of October because pheasant season opens October 12, and I plan on hunting.

The tent cabins looked pretty, ahem, chummy, for $120/night. Camping is what my buddy want to do, and if he can get all of our stuff there for free, I'm all for it. We can get fuel there if we decide to bring cooking stuff.

Usually too hot. First week of October is a better call if you are really into Valley sending. Valley is not Alpine (~4000'). Tuolumne is just sub-alpine at 8000'.

The good news is that the Valley and Tuolumne are about an hour or so apart so you just go higher or lower as needed.

But the camping on the Eastside is far better, imo. Valley camping in Spring when the waterfalls are roaring is mo' betta.

I'd try to get a spot reserved in Tuolumne Meadows campground. Tuolumne is just as much "the yosemite experience", but without the congestion of the valley. There is classic, beautiful, and serene climbing in the Yosemite highcountry. The campground doesn't open until end of June/early July and so the window to reserve doesn't open until early June.

If you can't get a spot there, I'd shoot for free camping in forest service pullouts between the outside of the east side gate and the town of Lee Vining. Almost always spots to find.

Good luck.

Eric Duncan wrote: I'd try to get a spot reserved in Tuolumne Meadows campground. Tuolumne is just as much "the yosemite experience", but without the congestion of the valley. There is classic, beautiful, and serene climbing in the Yosemite highcountry. The campground doesn't open until end of June/early July and so the window to reserve doesn't open until early June.

If you can't get a spot there, I'd shoot for free camping in forest service pullouts between the outside of the east side gate and the town of Lee Vining. Almost always spots to find.

Recall the OP later replied:

I think we are pretty much committed to the valley proper, because our third leg is not a climber and won't have a car while we are climbing and she can use the shuttle in the valley to get around if she gets bored.