Yosemite June 2020

Yosemite National Park - Current Conditions

Current Conditions in Yosemite National Park

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Current Weather 

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Yosemite Webcam

Yosemite Falls Webcam 

Half Dome Webcam 

Merced River Webcam 

Above Yosemite Valley

 

Activities for Kids in Yosemite

Bear Watching in Yosemite

Camping as a child, I remember a lot of our fun came from activities that were unplanned and made up as we went. The wide open unbridled spaces seem to invite a sense of intrigue and imagination among the children.  For the most part, if safe and supervised, let them play.  They will create their own fun.  But to create a setting for this fun or to add to their experience, here are some excellent activities for kids to enjoy while visiting Yosemite.

• Hiking - There are a lot of short hiking trails, especially in the valley that kids will love, many of these trails are stroller friendly.  There is also a lot of good material out there to help plan for some excellent hikes: Best Easy Day Hikes Yosemite National Park 
• Fishing -  Kids love to fish.  Make sure that when fishing you are following all the necessary guidelines.  Yosemite Trout Fishing Guide (In Full Color) 
• Yosemite Museum - There are several museums in the Yosemite area.  The more kid friendly ones are the family oriented Nature Center at Happy Isles and the LeConte Memorial Lodge which features a kids corner.
• Picnic - Food is good.  Outside is good. Kids are usually good while eating.
• Bear Watching - Make sure you follow the rules and be prepared, but looking for and finding a bear can be very exciting for the kids in Yosemite.  You might feel a bit more comfortable if you do it from your car.
• Swim - There are some really cool swimming holes in Yosemite. Swimming is permitted in all bodies of water other than Hetch Hetchy and above waterfalls.



Yosemite Swimming Hole

• Cook camp fire food - Food is good.  Fire is good.  Kids love both.  Square Pie Iron with Steel and Wood Handles are very useful and easy to use.

Yosemite Death Averted at Vernal Falls

The Deadly Vernal Falls in Yosemite Valley

In 2012, three people died when carried over and down the 300 foot Vernal Falls in Yosemite Valley. In 2013, with the Yosemite camping and hiking season just beginning, this number is zero as of the date of this writing thanks to action taken on April 14 by Alec Smith, a 16 year old San Jose high school student.

From a story posted at Fox 26 kmph-kfre:

Smith said he and his family saw the boy being dragged along the fast-moving Merced River. That's when Smith said he made a split-second decision.

"When I reached him, he reached me he looked up at me with like the craziest look in his eye like just please help me,"recalled Smith who jumped over a fence to rescue the boy. "I held out my hand at the same time he grabbed my hand and . . . he didn't really say anything. I just grabbed his hand and pulled him out."

Smith said the boy began to shake after he pulled him to safety. Smith says his uncle gave the boy a poncho and other dry clothes to wear. "He came up to me with his head held down he was just like thank you for saving my life you know," Smith said. "That hit me when he said that." It was a close call for the 9-year-old boy. Last year, three people died after being swept away by the river's rapids. Smith says that he was happy he was in the right place at the right time.

About Black Bears and Black Bear Encounters

Black Bear Facts

Black Bear in Campsite

Black bears are the most populous bear in North America.  These bears have lived almost everywhere in North America where there is some sort of large area of wilderness that is other than desert.  However, beginning in the early 1900's, the distribution of the bear began to wither.  In the past 25 years, bear populations have again been growing.  It is difficult to say how many bears there are at any one given time, but according to a study by Wildlife Conservation Society and the Nevada Department of Wildlife, in 1931, black bears were extinct in Nevada and today there are almost 300 bears living in the state.

Black bears eat almost anything.  Usually, less than 10% of a bears diet is "meat", and usually this meat is bugs or larvae.  The other 90% of the bears diet is vegetation or fruits that the bear can find in its habitat.  Like humans, bears love to eat, and like humans, bears like convenience.  Bears are lazy, but very smart.  Bears are usually shy.  Bears learn and will grow to not fear humans if they associate humans with food.  When bears learn to no longer fear humans, many times, the bear will have to be put down or removed to a more desolate area in order to prevent potential problems in the future.

Black Bear Encounters

Bear encounters, for the most part are best to be avoided.  If there are bears in the area, the best way to avoid a dangerous encounter is to plan accordingly.  First and foremost, properly store food.  Ensure that all food is stored in a bear canister or bear locker.  Do not leave food in your car.  A locked door will not stop a bear.  Do not eat where you sleep.  If hiking make noise so as not to surprise a bear.

If a bear does wander into your campsite or onto your trail, scan the area for cubs and observe the temperament of the bear.  In most instances the black bear will run as soon as it has seen or heard you, but if it does not back away slowly.  Do not get between the mother and her cubs.  Talk calmly and firmly.  If the bear looks or steps in your direction continue to back away and wave your hands speaking firmly.  Do not run.  Bears will outrun you and running may trigger predatory instincts.  Give the bear space and continue to live your happy life.  If the black bear does attack fight back.  To be safe, it can't hurt to have FRONTIERSMAN Bear Attack Deterrent with Hip Holster - Maximum Strength & 30 Foot Range .

    

Whathier Landing to Whitewater Preserve

Whitewater River with San Jacinto

Hike: Stills Landing to Whathier Landing to Whitewater Preserve

Location: Whitewater, CA
Distance: 9.3 miles
Difficulty: moderate with 2 miles off trail rock scrambling and river crossings
Elevation Change: 500 foot gain offset by a 1500 foot descent to the Preserve
Best Time of Year: Late fall to mid spring
Recommened Map:  Here

 

Whitewater Preserve to Stills Landing

Hike: Whitewater Preserve to Stills Landing

Location: Whitewater, CA
Distance: 5 miles
Difficulty: moderate with 3 miles off trail rock scrambling and river crossings
Elevation Change: 1100 foot gain
Best Time of Year: Late fall to mid spring
Recommened Map: Here