Nuts & Bolts

when and where:
San Francisco is the closest major city, roughly a three and a half-hour drive along Hwy. 120. You can also access the park from the south on Hwy. 41 from Fresno, or from the east on Hwy. 120. Driving from the east can be problematic both early and late in the season ­ Tioga Pass is frequently closed by snow. If you need to cross the Sierras and all the other passes are closed, Interstate 80 just north of Lake Tahoe is your best bet. 

Autumn is the best bouldering season in the Valley, bringing crisp, dry conditions that are perfect for climbing the smooth granite. Spring is also a decent time to visit, but be sure to arrive before summer heat begins. 

eats, sheets and treats:
There are ample hotels and camping in the Valley and surrounding towns, but it is a good idea to reserve ahead, particularly in the summer. Climbers tend to gravitate to the Sunnyside Campground (Camp 4) because it is tucked amidst the largest collection of developed problems. You can't reserve any of the sites here, so head to the campground's kiosk early in the morning and wait for the ranger. 

For food and amenities, visit one of the villages or the Yosemite Lodge. Curry Village hosts the Mountain Shop, showers, fast food, and a fine deck for eating pizza and sunning. Yosemite Village is home to a grocery store and the famed Degnan's Deli, the local meeting place for climbers. Yosemite Lodge is restaurant central, with a cafeteria, an all-you-can-eat buffet and the Mountain Room Bar. If you are in the Valley without transport, take the free shuttle service that circulates to most of the major areas.