Conventional wisdom holds that Yosemite is so crowded in the summer that it must be avoided. We disagree. Summer sees throngs of people in the most popular locations but far fewer in the less famous areas. If one is willing to walk a few miles into the high country it is relatively easy to escape the multitudes. Besides some of these areas are only open in late spring, summer and early fall.

White Wolf Lodge is our favorite base camp in Yosemite in the summer. It is located off of the Tioga Road and gives one access to numerous high country trailheads. It consists of a small cluster of tent cabins complete with beds and linens, the omnipresent bear boxes, potable water, a central shower/latrine, a minimalist store, and a small restaurant. Abundant fire wood is provided each day for the wood stove in your tent (in can get cold up there at night even in summer).

Enough people know of White Wolf that it is difficult to get a reservation without making it well in advance of your stay. (A year in advance is best.)

Images of Yosemite...