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On the road to Yosemite

Friday evening finds me at the Yosemite Bug in MidPines. I’m in the co-ed dorm. 12 bunks. This should be interesting. Guess I’m behind the times with co-ed college dorms. Oh well. Words of caution: if you are driving via Hwy 140. I saw 3 white Merced County Sheriff cars and later, near Cathay’s Valley, a Black & White CHP with radar. Keep it slow.

The Yosemite Conservancy Spring Forum is Saturday and it now looks like the arctic snow blast will hit the upper elevations after 2 pm. Snow levels will begin above 6000 feet before dropping to 3000 feet by Saturday night. I hope it’s mostly rain in the valley. I brought chains but hate putting them on.

As I passed through Mariposa I stopped by the Stroming Building. It’s the empty former site of the county health group (they moved up to Hwy 49). Yosemite is relocating the entire Administration Division to Mariposa by mid-2012.

This may be the first step in an eventual move of more offices there. Many of the park employees live in the greater Mariposa Metroplex and this will be a great convenience to those who commute now. The Hwy 140 …

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Hike and stay at Glacier Point Hut

Yosemite just announced that non-skiers can stay at the Glacier Point Ski Hut. Usually it’s the gift shop. During the winter it’s open to skiers and snowshoers who get there fromBadger Pass…But the no snow conditions mean hikers can try it out. It’s about 10 miles down from Badger…but you can drive there now.  Saturdays in January. NEAT.

 

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “On this day in 1867, absolutely nothing happened.”  

*MrHalfDome™ – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome

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Yosemite’s Ostrander Ski Hut

     Ostrander Ski Hut was built in 1941 by the old CCC – Civilian Conservation Corp. It sits next to a lake and is about 10-miles from Badger Pass. This is off the Glacier Pt Road. They rent it out for individuals or groups in a kind of commune setting. It sleeps 25 but you have to bring your own sleeping bag and food and anything you’ll need. They have solar powered lights. Cooking facilities are available at the hut. You get your own water from the lake. Admission is by lottery which is now open. I have never done it, but am thinking about it. I’d use snowshoes and a backpack for my gear – maybe for 2 nights. The haul to it is up and down and is pretty hard. Not for beginners and could take all day just to get there depending on the snows.  Lottery registration forms are now available.  If you are interested you gotta plan now – when it’s 80 degrees!! The lottery takes place Nov 11. Beginning Nov 28, remaining dates can be reserved by calling the reservation office at (209) 379–5161, Monday through Friday 8:30–4:30.

 

Unrelated thought worth quoting:…

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A crummy commercial???

First, I want to thank the nearly 1,000 daily readers of this bloog for carving out a few minutes each day to stop by. I love writing these notes. It takes me about an hour to research a topic and prepare the blog. But I learn by the process. I am still open to guest blogs. If you have a morsel to share about Yosemite or Half Dome, send me an email.

Yes, fans, tonight is a commercial. I gotta pay the bills. If you are new here, you noticed that I post no ads on my website or blog. WordPress does if you don’t subscribe. But not me. I am just sharing knowledge. But it does cost a few coins to run the good ship Half Dome. Why, my little dog, Yosey (as in Yosemite), is begging for kibble.

You can help send him to obedience camp by patronizing my humble store. I designed these nifty 4-color 2-sided Haynes Beefy TShirts and offer them at $20. They are sick. (My nephew’s term.) I will put my design up against anything you will find at the park from Asian firms. Buy American!

    I went over to Bldg 4 and …

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