Yosemite - Firsthand report from Shutdown Day 2

[Spenard]

According to some BLM websites they are closing areas with storm related flood risks and seasonal severe weather risks, high fire danger and cultural sites (petroglyphs) as they now lack staffing to monitor visitors regarding backcountry ORV activities, campsite locations, campfire restrictions and disturbing ancient petroglyphs. I some areas, no onsite presence to discourage intentional or accidental game taking adjacent to legal fall game hunt areas is also an issue. No doubt some of the closure locations may be questionable regarding the above concerns. Hope the closures ends soon.

[Dogmobile]

The only BLM lands I've seen closed are campgrounds that have a gate at the entrance. Dispersed camping is still alive and well in all the usual spots.

[yvrr]

We were thinking of heading over to the Mammoth area and I was trying to get information on FS campgrounds which might still be open even though we usually boondock. (However, we do like to stay at the Convict Lake FS campground and having dinner at the resort restaurant across the creek.) I figured that calling the FS office in Mammoth wasn't going to work since they have been shut down. So I got on the Mammoth Lakes tourist office website and discovered that every FS campground in the Mammoth area is now shut down for the season.

It was mentioned that these campgrounds are operated under a contract with a concessionaire which should allow them to stay open. However, I've learned that the Antideficeincy Act which was passed in 1870 prohibits the government from incurring monetary obligations when there is not approved budget in place. Hence, all of the campgrounds operated directly by the FS or a concessionaire are closed.

[daveb]

I was surprised Baker CG at Kennedy Meadows was closed as were a few more along the way. Douglas was open and a couple of others. 108 is unreal right now and the fall colors are out.

[Dogmobile]

Yosemite update: Just drove back over Tioga Pass east to west. Squeaked through just before they closed Tioga Rd for the upcoming storm, so the road was REALLY deserted this time

USFS campgrounds east of Tioga Pass are now closed, as were pretty much every federal campground I saw on the East Side. In several cases I talked with federal employees who said seasonal closures and seasonal layoffs happened a couple of weeks earlier than usual this year due to the shutdown.

On the plus side, I was motivated to suss out some awesome new (to me) boondock sites. And, as daveb says, fall colors over there are spectacular right now.

[BroncoHauler]

I like Utah's direct solution, we'll see if it works.

http://travel.yahoo.com/blogs/compass/b ... B0A3BtaA--


Herb

[xcnick]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

I like Utah's direct solution, we'll see if it works.

This was wise. Nevada said they did not have the money. Now visitors are up in state parks.

But the real federal beauty was to keep rangers on to patrol the national parks and then fine the trespassers.

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2013/Octo ... -Shutdown/