New Yosemite Regulations for Horsetail Season

[MonikaC]

I just got an email from the Ansel Adams Gallery saying that NPS will be closing Northside Drive from Feb 12-26 + El Cap Crossover to unpermitted private vehicles & parking. There will be 250 free parking permit reservations available daily online at Eventbrite + 50 unreserved permits daily at the Ansel Adams Gallery on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 9am. It didn't say what time they'll close it, but the NPS website further states that there will be no parking along Southside Drive from El Cap Crossover to the Chapel.

Horsetail probably won't be flowing this year (or very scanty) due to lack of snowpack, but I assume that once in place, these restrictions will stay.

Glad I made it a few years ago; it was such a zoo, I was happy to cross it off my list even though where I shot from I had all to myself!

 

[JimFox]

Thanks so much for this update Monika as I plan on being up there in 2 weeks. The current forecast is not looking good at all.

Not sure why they changed it up, the last few years they simply block off one lane on the Southside loop and the over flow cars would park there, it seemed to work perfect.

And Monika, while normally most of us avoid crowds while shooting, to me the crowd that gathers there for Horsetail Falls is a fun gathering that turns into a celebration. It’s actually rather fun.

 

[Kyle Jones]

Jim, when do you plan to be there? I have a bachelor day on the 17th and could be talked into meeting up...

 

[MonikaC]

Thanks so much for this update Monika as I plan on being up there in 2 weeks. The current forecast is not looking good at all.

Not sure why they changed it up, the last few years they simply block off one lane on the Southside loop and the over flow cars would park there, it seemed to work perfect.

And Monika, while normally most of us avoid crowds while shooting, to me the crowd that gathers there for Horsetail Falls is a fun gathering that turns into a celebration. It’s actually rather fun.

Yes, I had some fun & interesting times with the crowds, but the only time the conditions cooperated, I was about 1,000' feet above the Valley floor. Crowds are fun for a bit, but on a daily basis, it's not my preference.

 

[MonikaC]

Thanks so much for this update Monika as I plan on being up there in 2 weeks. The current forecast is not looking good at all.

Not sure why they changed it up, the last few years they simply block off one lane on the Southside loop and the over flow cars would park there, it seemed to work perfect.

And Monika, while normally most of us avoid crowds while shooting, to me the crowd that gathers there for Horsetail Falls is a fun gathering that turns into a celebration. It’s actually rather fun.

And I was really sick. People could probably hear me coughing up my lungs in Fresno!