Tag Archives: Yosemite

Hiking - General, National Forests, National Parks

Lottery for Half Dome Cables Day Use Permits Now Open!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

While there are up to 300 hikers allowed on the Half Dome cables per day, there are far MORE people who want to hike the route. The permit lottery is now open. If you want to hike Half Dome, sign up at www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.

You can also sign up for the two-day-in-advance permits through www.recreation.gov.

From the press release:

Hiking to the top of Half Dome is 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 typically in place from mid-May through mid-October. Most visitors begin and end their hike at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. This is an approximately 17 mile round-trip journey.

Remember: Permits Required Seven Days Per Week to Hike Half Dome Cables. Continue reading →

Conservation, National Forests, State Parks

Public Meetings for the Merced River and Tuolumne Meadows Plans Announced

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite National Park has released two Wild and Scenic River Draft Comprehensive Management Plans and Environmental Impact Statements for the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers, respectively, for public review and comment.

The public comment period for the Tuolumne River Plan is open through March 18, 2013. A copy of the plan as well as a complete description of alternatives is available HERE.

The public comment period for the Merced River Plan is open through Thursday, April 18, 2013. A copy of the plan as well as a complete description of alternatives is available HERE.

From the press release:

“… A series of webinars and public meetings have been scheduled. Webinars are geared towards specific topics of each draft plan and are an opportunity for the public to prepare for public meetings. They will provide a brief overview of key topics, followed by an interactive question and answer session. To participate in one of the webinars, please visit http://yose.webex.com. Each webinar will be recorded and available for download from this same website afterward.

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Conservation, National Forests, State Parks

Tioga Road In Yosemite National Park To Be Rehabilitated

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite National Park has signed off on the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Tioga Road.

The National Park Service had posted a public scoping for the Tioga Road Rehabilitation Plan in 2010. The Environmental Assessment was released for public view in August 2011, with comments accepted through September of 2011. The park received 12 public comment letters during that period.

The scope of the project was to rehabilitate, restore and resurface approximately 41 miles of Tioga Road. From the press release:

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