Yosemite Trip- Phew!!

[Steve-o-bud]

What a trip! We just got back from a week in Yosemite National Park, where we camped at Wawona.

Getting there!

The campground check in is 12 noon, so we decided that instead of leaving extra early to get there from Rancho Cucamonga, we'd spend the prior night relatively close. So, we spent the night at the Visalia/Goshen KOA.

Next day, we headed out early. Keep in mind, that this is the first time using our recently acquired '89 Suburban tow vehicle (3/4 ton, w/454 motor). 5 had high expectations for our new tow vehicle. Down the road, we stopped for fuel, and checked oil etc, prior to the climb into the park. Pulled out the dipstick, and smoke was pouring out of it! Kind of alarming! Especially since the oil level did not register on it! Put a couple of quarts in, and it looked AOK. Not sure about the smoking oil, my BIL believes that it may be due to a faulty EGR, etc. The two quarts low appears to be due to when I had my oil changed last week, the guy probably put in 5 quarts instead of 7 for the big block V-8. Silly me, I didn't double check.

So... moving on, we make it up the hill, and to the campground at Noon sharp. Pull up to the ranger kiosk, to check in. After hearing all the rules, and getting our site assignment, go to start the Suburban. No go... the motor wouldn't crank, although I could hear the starter spinning. Now, I'm blocking the entrance, etc. Try jumping it, in case it's a low battery, still no luck. Remembering a trick of the trade, I crawl underneath, rap the starter a couple of times with a hammer, and viola, it cranks.

So, after parking the trailer, I borrowed my BIL's Explorer, head to Oakhurst to get a starter, and replace it that afternoon.

The rest of the week

The week up there was fantastic. The waterfalls were great, full rivers, with good weather. Yosemite Falls was fantastic. However, in the Valley, could not rent rafts from Curry Village, due to the water of the Merced River being too cold.

Alas, we departed today for the long ride home. On Thursday and Friday, people were pouring into the park, and our peaceful Wawona campground was getting to be pretty much a zoo as we left today. The line coming in at the South Entrance was about a mile long.

On the journey home, the Suburban did not do too well. It got pretty hot heading over the Grapevine, had to turn A/C off, heater on, and slowed way down to keep the truck from burning itself up. Hence, my disappointment, as my goal of course is to be able to go 55mph up the Grapevine, A/C on, with no problems. My Trooper/Acura SLX actually did a better job overall, not quite as powerful, but no issues with overheating. (My wife believes I won't be satisfied until I can go 95mph up the Grapevine, even though I'd never do so.)

Much as I love heading out, I'm real happy to be home, and now starts the process (again) of finding the tow vehicle of my dreams.

[OC Campers]

HI Steve--
I am sorry to hear you guys had a rough trip.  Yosemite is so beautiful this time of year.  We were there the weekend before Memorial day.  Thursday was great but the rest of the weekend you couldn't even move in the park.  We were staying in a cabin in Wawona (Mariposa Grove) and passed your cg every day.  Nice place.
 
We also replaced our old tow vehicle the 98 Astro van.  It was costing us a fortune in repairs.  The Dodge dealer was really dealing.  We bought a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab with the 4.7 V8 for under 19K.  It is fully loaded and pulls the popup like a dream.  We were even able to get rid of the WDH and use only a sway bar.  Plenty of room for the 3 kids and dog in the back seat.  It is so nice to pack too.  We just put everything in tote boxes and toss it in the back.  No more worrying if we are overloaded.
 
Best of luck looking for the perfect tow vehicle
 
Jacqui

[Steve-o-bud]

HI Steve--
I am sorry to hear you guys had a rough trip. Yosemite is so beautiful this time of year. We were there the weekend before Memorial day. Thursday was great but the rest of the weekend you couldn't even move in the park. We were staying in a cabin in Wawona (Mariposa Grove) and passed your cg every day. Nice place.
 
We also replaced our old tow vehicle the 98 Astro van. It was costing us a fortune in repairs. The Dodge dealer was really dealing. We bought a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab with the 4.7 V8 for under 19K. It is fully loaded and pulls the popup like a dream. We were even able to get rid of the WDH and use only a sway bar. Plenty of room for the 3 kids and dog in the back seat. It is so nice to pack too. We just put everything in tote boxes and toss it in the back. No more worrying if we are overloaded.
 
Best of luck looking for the perfect tow vehicle
 
Jacqui

So, were you guys at the Redwoods cabins, or did you rent through a private party? We'd love to get a lead on a decent cabin at a reasonable cost. We used to rent from a private party, unfortunately, their cabin was on land that was a long term lease from the NPS, and they were forced to sell the cabin back to the government when the land lease was up. This was about 5 years ago, and the NPS (which apparently had plans to use the cabin for ranger housing) has not done a thing with it. It just sits empty and idel from what we can tell.
 
Despite the rough traveling, we did have a great time. All of Holly's family was up there, Mother and Father, her brother and sister, and their families. My brother also showed up for a couple of days, so it was a nice get together.
 
They were gearing up for the 4th of July festivities at the Wawona Hotel and Pioneer Village. Looks like it will be fun.
 
In the past, it seems like we've avoided the big crowds by scheduling our vacation prior to the 4th. This year, I think with the 4th being a long weekend, the number of the other campgrounds still closed (White Wolf, Bridelveil Creek, Crane Flats), and the waterfalls so great, all came together to cause the big crowds.

[OC Campers]

So, were you guys at the Redwoods cabins, or did you rent through a private party? We'd love to get a lead on a decent cabin at a reasonable cost. We used to rent from a private party, unfortunately, their cabin was on land that was a long term lease from the NPS, and they were forced to sell the cabin back to the government when the land lease was up. This was about 5 years ago, and the NPS (which apparently had plans to use the cabin for ranger housing) has not done a thing with it. It just sits empty and idel from what we can tell.
 
Despite the rough traveling, we did have a great time. All of Holly's family was up there, Mother and Father, her brother and sister, and their families. My brother also showed up for a couple of days, so it was a nice get together.
 
They were gearing up for the 4th of July festivities at the Wawona Hotel and Pioneer Village. Looks like it will be fun.
 
In the past, it seems like we've avoided the big crowds by scheduling our vacation prior to the 4th. This year, I think with the 4th being a long weekend, the number of the other campgrounds still closed (White Wolf, Bridelveil Creek, Crane Flats), and the waterfalls so great, all came together to cause the big crowds.

We stayed at the Redwoods.  The cabin was more like a house than a cabin.  It was about 2200 sqft.  My parents and Aunt and Uncle shelled out the cash for the place.  It wasn't cheap.  For 3 nights it was $1400 but it had all the comforts of home.
 
I think you are right about why it was so crowded.  The amount of water was unbelievable.  I don't think I have ever seen anything more beautiful.  I feel very privledged to of been able to see it.  Some day I would like to try and camp on the valley floor or at the Wawona cg.  We will definately bring bikes so we don't have to drive around the valley floor and try to find a parking space.  We will be going to the Yosemite rally with Nick Neff Cough in August but I doubt we will head into the valley floor.  We will have 5 kids with us on this trip.  I think hiking will be our main entertainment for this trip.
 
Jacqui

[Kay in NC]

What a trip! We just got back from a week in Yosemite National Park, where we camped at Wawona.

Getting there!

The campground check in is 12 noon, so we decided that instead of leaving extra early to get there from Rancho Cucamonga, we'd spend the prior night relatively close. So, we spent the night at the Visalia/Goshen KOA.

Next day, we headed out early. Keep in mind, that this is the first time using our recently acquired '89 Suburban tow vehicle (3/4 ton, w/454 motor). 5 had high expectations for our new tow vehicle. Down the road, we stopped for fuel, and checked oil etc, prior to the climb into the park. Pulled out the dipstick, and smoke was pouring out of it! Kind of alarming! Especially since the oil level did not register on it! Put a couple of quarts in, and it looked AOK. Not sure about the smoking oil, my BIL believes that it may be due to a faulty EGR, etc. The two quarts low appears to be due to when I had my oil changed last week, the guy probably put in 5 quarts instead of 7 for the big block V-8. Silly me, I didn't double check.

So... moving on, we make it up the hill, and to the campground at Noon sharp. Pull up to the ranger kiosk, to check in. After hearing all the rules, and getting our site assignment, go to start the Suburban. No go... the motor wouldn't crank, although I could hear the starter spinning. Now, I'm blocking the entrance, etc. Try jumping it, in case it's a low battery, still no luck. Remembering a trick of the trade, I crawl underneath, rap the starter a couple of times with a hammer, and viola, it cranks.

So, after parking the trailer, I borrowed my BIL's Explorer, head to Oakhurst to get a starter, and replace it that afternoon.

The rest of the week

The week up there was fantastic. The waterfalls were great, full rivers, with good weather. Yosemite Falls was fantastic. However, in the Valley, could not rent rafts from Curry Village, due to the water of the Merced River being too cold.

Alas, we departed today for the long ride home. On Thursday and Friday, people were pouring into the park, and our peaceful Wawona campground was getting to be pretty much a zoo as we left today. The line coming in at the South Entrance was about a mile long.

On the journey home, the Suburban did not do too well. It got pretty hot heading over the Grapevine, had to turn A/C off, heater on, and slowed way down to keep the truck from burning itself up. Hence, my disappointment, as my goal of course is to be able to go 55mph up the Grapevine, A/C on, with no problems. My Trooper/Acura SLX actually did a better job overall, not quite as powerful, but no issues with overheating. (My wife believes I won't be satisfied until I can go 95mph up the Grapevine, even though I'd never do so.)

Much as I love heading out, I'm real happy to be home, and now starts the process (again) of finding the tow vehicle of my dreams.

Hope your able to figure out what is making your tow vehicle over heat.  We used to have a 1985 GMC 3/4 ton truck with a 454 and towed a 32 foot fifth wheel and NEVER had it over heat!  Hopefully it is something simple to fix.  Happy camping!

[Steve-o-bud]

Hope your able to figure out what is making your tow vehicle over heat. We used to have a 1985 GMC 3/4 ton truck with a 454 and towed a 32 foot fifth wheel and NEVER had it over heat! Hopefully it is something simple to fix. Happy camping!

Yeah, I'm pretty distraught over this. This vehicle has all the right options for towing, I looked up the Chevy SPO codes (found in the glove box), and it came with the HD Cooling, Trans Cooler, 4.10 axle ratio, the 454 motor and 3/4 ton chassis, etc, so I had high hopes. My Acura SLX with 3.2L V-6 did almost as good pulling up the hills (if I let the motor wind out a bit), without the drama of overheating.
 
I'm going to ponder this a bit, and post a thread seeking advice.

[Kay in NC]

Yeah, I'm pretty distraught over this. This vehicle has all the right options for towing, I looked up the Chevy SPO codes (found in the glove box), and it came with the HD Cooling, Trans Cooler, 4.10 axle ratio, the 454 motor and 3/4 ton chassis, etc, so I had high hopes. My Acura SLX with 3.2L V-6 did almost as good pulling up the hills (if I let the motor wind out a bit), without the drama of overheating.
 
I'm going to ponder this a bit, and post a thread seeking advice.

Think it could be something as simple as needing a new themostat?  With the full towing package, you shouldn't be over heating with a pop up behind you.  Hope you able to figure it out so you can enjoy your summer.  Good luck.  I know we had fun with our 454.... ate a lot of gas, but we LOVED the power of it!

[Mia]

We are so new to this - where can we get parts for our 76 hard side Apache?  We live in Orange County - Thanks! (Now if I can remember where I am at on this computer!!!!)  

We go to Yosemite every year - Last year 85 of us were there at the same time.  Crowded?  Yep, but never get tired of it.  Now it is being passed on to our kids and their kids.  Love having the grandkids getting excited about camping.

[kimrb266]

I'm jealous.  We had reservations for 6/20-24 for Yosemite.  A week before our trip we got a call from the NPS stating that they are delaying the opening of our campground and it will open around our departure date.  Needless to say, we were all very disapointed and had to find alternative plans.  The kids were looking forward to camping so we camped in the Sacramento area instead.

I think I would have rather had a bad trip to Yosemite than not one at all.  After all, how can it be when you are in a beautiful spot.

[Nole Fan]

Wish we could have been there with you guys.  Girls miss you and we are looking forward to the Acadia trip next month.