On 15/06/2012 Wendy wrote:
>On 15/06/2012 Doug wrote:
>>On 15/06/2012 Wendy wrote:
>>>"1/2 a dozen sites" seems actually quite a lot of camp 4 - there's maybe
>>>only 20-30 sites there all up?
>>
>>A few more than that; There's actually 37:
>>
>It's proportionately a bit more as 17-22 don't exist - unless that is
>the already reduced campsite map?
Well, 17 - 22 = 6 sites, so that's my guess.
I did learn from my last valley experience just to be organised
>and book something 5 months in advance - the camping is nicer, less crowded
>and has less hassles. I can PM anyone my valley strategy if they are organised
>enough to be 6 months in advance of their trip, it will be well worth it.
I was going to mention that myself but thought I'd probably get howled down by certain people who post on this forum so didn't bother. But now that you have, I'll add my bit.
I've spent a while camping in all three of the other campgrounds. It was far more amenable than Camp 4: you could get to sleep at night if you wanted to and the toilet blocks were actually reasonable places to visit. The North Pines campground I remember as being really nice. Here's the URL for info on camping in Yosemite: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campground.htm
There are also campgrounds outside the valley but not too far away where you don't have to book. And, if you are in the valley and you want to stay longer and are prepared to get up early enough to be at the campsite registration office early enough so that you are first in line, you can often get up to a week extra time.
Besides all that, in 4 long stays in Yosemite, the only time I've ever got sick was one of the two times I stayed at Camp 4, and I ended up with stuff coming out of both ends for a week. It was horrible!