Author Topic: Yosemite  (Read 6325 times)

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Offline Malk

Yosemite
« on: January 11, 2019, 08:24:52 am »
Hi there new to this site.
I was thinking about including Yosemite as part of a solo cross country trip next year.
Just looking for advice regarding safety, bears etc.
Should I join up with a group for this part or will I be okay on my own.

Offline JHamelman

Re: Yosemite
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2019, 09:08:51 am »
Hello Malk,

I don't think it's necessary to be in a group when you bicycle through Yosemite. The park itself has some basic bear aware information as a good start to educating yourself:

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

I hope this helps. I'm sure there are others who will have more suggestions from personal experience.

Jennifer
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Jennifer Hamelman

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x205
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline Malk

Re: Yosemite
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2019, 09:20:32 am »
Hi Jennifer,
                    thanks for that. On your head be it if I get eaten😆😆😆
Joking obviously, I have a weird sense of humour. Thanks again. Malcolm

Offline JHamelman

Re: Yosemite
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2019, 04:57:49 pm »
Ha! LOL No worries.

Jennifer
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Jennifer Hamelman

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x205
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline jamawani

Re: Yosemite
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2019, 05:56:28 pm »
Malk -

There are other issues besides bears.

When are you doing this trip and in which direction?
It's looking like a moderate - maybe more - snow year in the Sierras.
Tioga Pass is not likely to open before Memorial Day - perhaps mid-June.
If you are starting in Calif, that may be an issue.

I also regret to tell you that Yosemite has no hiker/biker campsites.
Unbelievable, but true. Despite how the park complains about too many cars.
I have been discussing this with YNP for 20+ years.
And please, do not attempt to stealth camp.

Back to bears.
YNP has bear boxes everywhere - use them - the bears are smarter than Yogi.
Also, NEVER eat in your tent - not just while in the park but any time before.
You may not smell the PBJ sandwich you had a month ago, but the bear can.

I've biked the park a half dozen times - never been there by car.
Eastbound you will have 10,000+ feet of climbing.
Westbound you may just burn up your brakes.
But it is worth it.

Offline Bclayden

Re: Yosemite
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2019, 11:24:49 am »
I’ve cycled both directions of Tioga Rd down to Lee Vining and back and camped at White Wolf where I had a Bear encounter early in the season...late spring?  As has been mentioned the bears are smart about getting to your food and staying clear of the bear traps. Yosemite bears are American Black Bears (although they are dark brown in color) and are herbivores. There are no Grizzlies in Califonia any longer. Black bears don’t want to eat you but they can be aggressive getting to your food. Never leave food inside your tent and always store food in the campsite bear boxes which you treat like your fridge at home....always close and latch the door when not getting something from it or putting something away.  I’ve also done a lot of backcountry hiking in the Sierra and have seen many bears in and outside the park. Yosemite requires backcountry hikers to carry their own Bear Canister for storing food overnight. We used to hang the food in a tree but they figured that one out too so now it’s prohibited inside the National park.

Bears CAN be dangerous if there is a bear cub nearby and mamma thinks you are a threat. Be very careful if you see a bear cub.

Bears shouldn’t discourage you from experiencing Yosemite cycling and camping. It’s part of the experience!

Sharing Tioga Rd with RVs is much more of a hazard.

Offline Malk

Re: Yosemite
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2019, 04:39:38 pm »
Thanks everyone for the replies. Some great advice there and much appreciated. Think I will definately be fitting Yosemite in during my trip. Too good to miss.