The journal
Notes from two decades in the park.
Trip-planning guides, photography routes, season-by-season advice, the questions we get asked on every trip. Real answers, no filler.
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How Yosemite’s reservation system actually works
For 2026 the park dropped entry reservations entirely. What that means at the gate, what it still costs, and what to watch if the system comes back.
Read the story → -
Glacier Point vs Tunnel View — which view first
Two of the most-photographed spots in the park. They look very different at different times of day.
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Picking a tour: private, small group, or DIY?
An honest breakdown of when each option makes sense — including when you should just rent a car.
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Still coming
- 01 Horsetail Fall: timing, weather, where to stand
- 02 What to wear in Yosemite, month by month
- 03 A photographer's drive through Yosemite Valley
- 04 When to come if you hate crowds
- 05 Six hours in Yosemite — the realistic itinerary
- 06 Yosemite with kids: what works, what doesn't
- 07 Off-season Yosemite — what's actually open November through March
More on the way
The rest of the launch list is being written now. Check back — or just call and ask. The people writing these are the same people who answer the phone.