Yosemite Valley vehicle traffic
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 6:15 pm
Yosemite Valley has a much larger issue than the $70 day fee increase being addressed on the other current thread that far too many have only wanted to stick their heads in the sand about not doing anything necessary about. Of course I am referring to the insane automobile traffic around the loop road. As long as people are allowed to drive their vehicles into the valley without limitations it is only going to become worse. Reality is the world's most famous glacial valley is small. The situation is only going to change if people admit something needs to be done and then take action.
The majority of vehicles drive into the valley between about 10am and 1pm then leave between 3pm and 6pm. The scenic pull outs become the same kind of zoo as Christmas season parking at shopping malls. Everywhere is the disgusting loud noise of vehicles, all too many of which our driven by impatient inconsiderate urban people just like they do on their weekday commutes. Most of the visitors spend less than 10 minutes at the usual series of scenic pullouts that reflects the shallow level of awareness or understanding of what they are looking at or what might be a more productive and interesting way to spend their time. Much of that behavior is simply due to the fact most everyone else is doing that same thing... so it must be a good thing. Oh lets take a selfie against the waterfall. Gee which one is that? Snap snap, oooh that look good! Let's go, I'm hungry. They then continue on until they reach their favorite infrastructure areas at the east end of the valley with the most popular the being the Village store.
It is there the majority wander about visiting the shops, eateries, and exhibits for two or three hours before getting into one of those open air trams or shuttle buses. The open air bus types end up back at the store where they continue their people watching while those on the shuttle buses to their credit, end up at some feature for a hike, maybe Bridalveil Falls or Happy Isles or another eatery visit at Curry Village. After that they are likely to take a shuttle back to the location of their vehicle.
There have over decades been suggestions for parking outside the valley and taking buses into the park. Automobile, lodging, and tourist businesses have always hated those proposals because it is certain to affect their bottom line. I personally have advocated that be done during popular periods of the year unless someone has a reserved campground permit or lodging reservation. Also those who have driven their vehicles in the valley for camping or lodging ought to be prevented from driving around during mid day hours. Imagine just a modest adequate number of quiet electric vehicles moving around the loop road?
The majority of vehicles drive into the valley between about 10am and 1pm then leave between 3pm and 6pm. The scenic pull outs become the same kind of zoo as Christmas season parking at shopping malls. Everywhere is the disgusting loud noise of vehicles, all too many of which our driven by impatient inconsiderate urban people just like they do on their weekday commutes. Most of the visitors spend less than 10 minutes at the usual series of scenic pullouts that reflects the shallow level of awareness or understanding of what they are looking at or what might be a more productive and interesting way to spend their time. Much of that behavior is simply due to the fact most everyone else is doing that same thing... so it must be a good thing. Oh lets take a selfie against the waterfall. Gee which one is that? Snap snap, oooh that look good! Let's go, I'm hungry. They then continue on until they reach their favorite infrastructure areas at the east end of the valley with the most popular the being the Village store.
It is there the majority wander about visiting the shops, eateries, and exhibits for two or three hours before getting into one of those open air trams or shuttle buses. The open air bus types end up back at the store where they continue their people watching while those on the shuttle buses to their credit, end up at some feature for a hike, maybe Bridalveil Falls or Happy Isles or another eatery visit at Curry Village. After that they are likely to take a shuttle back to the location of their vehicle.
There have over decades been suggestions for parking outside the valley and taking buses into the park. Automobile, lodging, and tourist businesses have always hated those proposals because it is certain to affect their bottom line. I personally have advocated that be done during popular periods of the year unless someone has a reserved campground permit or lodging reservation. Also those who have driven their vehicles in the valley for camping or lodging ought to be prevented from driving around during mid day hours. Imagine just a modest adequate number of quiet electric vehicles moving around the loop road?