Weather, clothing: The weather from late June through mid-September is remarkably dry, though an occasional storm may dust the peaks and higher areas with short-lived snow. Summer temperatures in Tuolumne Meadows and in most of the lake-studded High Sierra are likely to climb into the 60s and 70s, while those in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Hetch Hetchy and Pate Valley soar in the hot 90s. Most of the parks' trails are located above 7000 feet and therefore have please ant temperatures. During July and August, the night temperatures at high elevations usually dip into the 40s but only rarely get below freezing. However, by mid-September, as before mid-June, freezing nighttime temperatures can be quite common. In winter, various areas of the park are closed because of snowfall. The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.

Trip notes: Bridalveil Creek: There may be no better view in the world than the one from Glacier Point, looking down into Yosemite Valley, where Half Dome stands like nature's perfect sculpture. Then there are the perfect views of Yosemite Falls, Nevada Falls, Vernal Falls, and several hundred square miles of Yosemite's wilderness backcountry. This is the closest camp to Glacier Point's drive-to vantage point, but it is also the closest camp to the best day hikes in the entire park. Along Glacier Point Road are trailheads to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point , and McGurk Meadow. At 7,200 feet, the camp is more than 3,000 feet higher than Yosemite Valley. A good day hike out of camp leads you to Ostrander Lake, just below Horse Ridge.
Crane Flat: Crane Flat is located within a five-minute drive of the Tuolumne Grove of Big Trees, as well as the Merced Grove to the nearby west. This is the feature attraction in this part of Yosemite National Park, set near the western border near the Highway 120 entrance station. The elevation is 6,200 feet. Yosemite Valley is about a 25-minute drive away.
Hodgdon Meadow: Hodgdon Meadow is on the outskirts of Yosemite, just inside the park's borders at the Highway 120 entrance station, at 4,900 feet in elevation. It is located near a small feeder creek to the South Fork Tuolumne River.
Lower Pines: For combat-style camping, this is a pretty good place. Lower Pines sits right along the Merced River in the center of Yosemite Valley. Of course, the tents and RVs are jammed in quite close together. Within walking distance is the trail to Mirror Lake , as well as the trailhead at Happy Isles for the hike up to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. The park's shuttle bus picks up riders near the camp entrance.
North Pines: North Pines Camp is set along the Merced River. A trail out of camp heads east and links up the paved road/trail to Mirror Lake, a virtual parade of people. If you continue hiking past Mirror Lake, you will get astounding views of Half Dome and then leave the masses behind as you enter Tenaya Canyon. The elevation is 4,000 feet.
Porcupine Flat: Porcupine Flat, set at 8,100 feet, is southwest of Mount Hoffman, one of the prominent nearby peaks along Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park. The trailhead for a hike to May Lake, set just below Mount Hoffman, is about five miles away, on a signed turnoff on the north side of the road. There are several little peaks above the lake where hikers can gain great views, including one of the back side of Half Dome.
Sunnyside Walk-In: The concept at Sunnyside was to provide a walk-in alternative to drive-in camps that sometimes resemble combat zones. Unfortunately, it doesn't really work, with the sites here jammed together. Regardless, the camp is in a great location, within walking distance of Yosemite Falls. It has a view of Leidig Meadow and the southern valley rim, with Sentinel Rock directly across the valley. A trail is routed from camp to Lower Yosemite Falls. In addition, the trailhead for the Yosemite Falls Trail is a short distance away, a terrible butt-kicking climb up Columbia Rock to the rim adjacent to the top of the falls, providing one of most incredible views in all the world.

 

 

 

 

Where to go Camping

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Miwok Lodge 439