Directions
to Bridalveil Campground
When you arrive at Yosemite, make
your way to the Bridalveil Creek
campground.(You may want to print these web pages)
Driving
distance is
18 miles, up a long
steep but gradual incline, and a spectacular rise from the Valley
floor. Allow
at least an hour from
the Falls
parking lot Do make a
stop at the Wawona Tunnel overlook, which is the absolute classic view
of Yosemite
Valley. Some spectacular night
shots were taken here by Bill Arnett of SJAA. Please try
to reach camp no later than
5pm, which means giving
yourself plenty of time
from the
Greater Bay Area
for...you guessed it, traffic. You'll
be rested and relaxed when you
arrive
rather than uptight
and tense. When Jane
and Mojo lived in the Bay Area, they used to leave on Thursday,
stop halfway in Oakdale
and spend the night. Over the past few years Jayni, Aeddan and I stay
at
Knights Ferry on the cool and refreshing Stanislaus which is just east
of Oakdale in the Sierra foot hills. On return, I relish taking a
dip
in the Stanislaus before hitting the Valley heat, continuing on Orange
Blossom Road and bypassing Oakdale entirely.
Speaking of Oakdale, it is a good place to gas up, and get supplies
(like block ice) or stop at Groveland Market near PJ's Cafe.
Once you enter Bridalveil Creek Campground Road, there is a large
message
board
with a map of our
assigned and occupied campsites; it is on the right, just before the
camp host.
After the bathrooms on the left and large bear-proof dumpsters on the
right; you'll fork to the left to Loop
C.
Look for the
inner circle of campsites numbered: 81,
83, 89, 93
& 95 in that order counter clockwise or:
possibly regular
outlying
campsites
with official
looking SFAA Yosemite
Parking placards on the parking spaces. We'll attempt to reserve sites
85 & 94, but no promises. Numbers 84, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91
& 92
campsites outside the circle, and may also be available but are not
specifically reserved for us.
This formula has been established over the years
and it's worked out quite well. Each year, starting on our
assigned Friday, Ranger
Dick Ewart has been gracious enough to reserve the majority of
the inner
circle (minus sites 85 & 94) for astronomy
groups. This is a coordinated effort with the camp host and NPS
reservations
concessionaire so,
should there be a non-SFAA camper, please be courteous and patient so
they can be relocated. Pick
out your site, set
up your tent, and reeelax. The brown reinforced
steel bear boxes
are for sharing with your neighboring camper. Please put ALL
food
in the bear boxes...that's
what they are there for; no food in your vehicle. A not-so-wise member
of an unnamed club didn't use a bear box and
well...
Glacier Point Parking
Guidelines
Glacier
Point is another
8.5
miles up the road.
Allow adequate time to find your
way and
set up. Electricity is
provided
in the observing area, but you may need a long
extension
cord.
It's a large granite amphitheater much like Mt. Tam. We set up by 7:30,
and it's a good
idea to be there earlier.
Explicitly
follow the NPS Ranger
rules
for unloading without
blocking the right of way, then parking in
the lot.
Only three to
four vehicles at a time to unload please. This cannot be stressed
enough.
The
key is to drive
in, unload your equipment briefly, then immediately after unloading,
move your
vehicle to the
parking lot.
It may seem like a pain, but our campsite is
free and reserved, which is unheard
of anywhere in Yosemite National Park.
When you think of it, it's a small
inconvenience for a
huge lifelong reward.
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