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Camping allowed on the Sub Dome Flats?

This was one unusual sight last Saturday. A tent set up on the flat area just before the Ranger checkpoint at Sub Dome. I have never seen a tent in that area. I thought it was in an area closed to camping. Of course you can’t camp on top of Half Dome since 1992 due to “human impact” (no toilets) and it’s the habitat of the endangered Mt. Lyell Salamander.

The Ranger on duty said that the tent was now legal due to a change in the Superintendent’s Compendium. Hmmm, if so I’d expect a whole gaggle of tents there soon. I will be there. I haven’t checked this out with the Wilderness Division, but will. By the way, each NPS unit has a Compendium with rules unique to that park. I’ll send you to the website that holds the 2011 signed off version PDF to see the Yosemite one.  See page 58 and you decide if this area is OK. I am at REI Berkeley tonight and don’t have time to read further. Show goes on in 30-mins (at my McDonlad’s remote office now.)

 

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Happiness is …

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A bit more on the locks to the Curry showers.

Reference the July 24 post on cypher locks  — The group showers have a lock on the main entry door into the shower complex. In the past anyone could walk in and use them… in fact before the 2008 Curry Rockfall wiped out the huge shower facility west of the amphitheater, you could either show a key or “rent” a towel for $2.00. No more.

The group toilet complexes set in the tent cabin array are still open for all.

 

MrHalfDome™ – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome

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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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