Yosemite Firefall Camping Trip
February 19-23, 2023

Enjoy the Yosemite Firefall with Bayside Adventure Sports!

The Yosemite Firefalls Trip is ON!
​At the time of this writing (1/28/23), we have one Upper Pines
Campsite for Sunday and Monday nights, Feb 19-21 then a different campsite then a different campsite for Tuesday and Wednesday Nights, Feb 21-23. Sites can handle about 4 tents and one trailer or RV, with a total of 6-9 people, based on people sharing tent space or the RV.

Registration is first come, first serve. Greg Weisman, BAS Director, will be hosting the trip. Because space at the campsite is limited, we have tent sizes based on the number of people. If you are a single person, bring a 1-2 person tent. If two people sharing, use a 3-4 person tent. If 3 people sharing the tent, a 5-6 person tent. Don’t have a small tent? BAS has some. Ask Greg.

The Firefall can be seen mid to late February but the peak intensity, the ideal day will occur around February 21st . Two factors are mandatory for the Firefall to be seen. First is that there has to be enough water to cause Horsetail Falls to occur. We got that one this year! Second, the sunset must be clear. There must be sunlight not blocked by clouds, fog, smoke, or thick haze. That’s why it is nice to have more than one night down there to watch it. We have four!

We only have space for two cars to be parked at our campsite. We will determine who’s cars get to be parked there based on a number of factors, like if someone is sleeping in their car, if multiple
people came in that car, or if someone comes with a child and would need the vehicle close by. I (Greg) will determine which cars are parked at the site. We also only have one Bear Bin for the whole group. Therefore we will all have to share it, which means small coolers and maybe a bag of dry goods.

Please text me (Greg Weisman) any questions or about how you are hoping to participate. My cell is 916 847-4734.
Those who are registered will get a text from me with the details on the campsites so you can get into them.

​Here's a great article about the Firefall: https://www.wedreamoftravel.com/yosemite-firefall/

​Another useful link on winter camping: blog.nols.edu/2019/02/08/winter-camping

​Help Yosemite be a Zero Landfill park! Leave excess packaging at home. Use refillable water bottles, food containers and travel mugs
REGISTRATION
BAS Premium Members: $50/person/night suggested donation
Non-Members: $65/person/night

INCLUDED:
  • Campsite space in Upper Pines Campground
  • Early morning continental breakfast of coffee, oatmeal, bagels, cream cheese
  • Evening campfire with S’mores, hot chocolate, tea
  • Daily devotional time at breakfast around the campfire
  • Lots of Yosemite maps, books to look through, and guidance to a great location to watch
  • and photograph the Firefall.
  • Use of the BAS Stove, pots, and cooking fuel for cooking your meals
NOT INCLUDED:
  • Transportation to/from Yosemite
  • Lunches or dinners (Yosemite restaurants & grocery stores are open, so if you don’t want
  • to cook, you have some great options!)
  • Camping Gear. It will be cold so make sure you have warm clothing, good insulation under your sleeping bag, and a warm bag!
  • The best way to get around in Yosemite Valley to watch the Firefall is by bicycle so we recommend you bring your own bicycle. The traffic is terrible and parking very limited. With a bike, you can ride to a great spot to take photos then get back to camp quickly too.
 ​

​A current BAS Membership is required for discounted pricing. This annual fee helps offset our high insurance cost and helps keep most of our events free. For individuals it's only $49/year! Families are $99/year.) For more Information about membership and to join www.baysideadventuresports.com/membership. You also have to option to join on the camping registration form.

Questions? Email [email protected]

Cancellation Policy
WHAT TO BRING:
  • Camping gear: (tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking gear, quarters for showers, etc.) Check the weather - prepare for cold weather camping! A “four season” tent is best – meaning it is strong enough and designed for winter camping.  Extra good insulation is important for padding under the sleeping bag – or better yet, put a cot in the tent with a pat on top of that.  Then of course a nice toasty-warm sleeping bag! 
    ​
  • Clothing: You will need great shoes that are designed for this – the best are something like the Sorel Caribou Boot.  They keep your feet warm while standing in snow for long periods of time.   Put a great pair of socks in these kinds of boots and you have happy feet all day long!  Last, plan for layers of warm, synthetic or wool clothing topped off by a great hat and scarf.  
​
  • Food: To keep this trip simple and inexpensive, lunches and dinners will be on your own. But it’s always fun to coordinate with others!

  • See REI's Winter Camping Checklist for other suggestions or stop by your neighborhood Any Mountain or REI and they would love to help you know how to be prepared.

  • Pets and alcohol are not permitted on BAS events. ​​​​​​

Possible Schedule The Schedule for this trip is totally up to each person coming, but we will have a few gatherings planned.  Mornings are all about hot coffee and a great breakfast around a campfire.  We will have a fire started and  continental breakfast of coffee, oatmeal, bagels, cream cheese.  At about 8:30am we’ll have a short devotional, pray for the day, and discuss optional plans.  Some may choose to eat lunch over at one of the Yosemite restaurants.  In the evenings, you can make dinner at your own campsite, come make dinner at the base camp and eat together, or go out for dinner.  After dinner we will meet together in the evening in the Fireside Room or Lounge to play some Card or Board Games, talk, and enjoy some hot chocolate or other warm drinks. ​

Optional Activities or excursions we will consider for during the daytime include:
1.    Hiking up the Yosemite Falls Trail to the base of Upper Yosemite Falls.  This is a steep uphill climb that will get our hearts pumping.  If the weather is freezing or below, there will be a large “snow cone” at the base of the upper falls that is formed from the mist freezing and piling up as it falls from above.   With relaxing, snacks, photos, etc. this excursion easily lasts about 4 hours.  We’ll bring our lunch on the hike as well.  
2.    Mirror Lake Walk.  We can take the bus over towards Mirror Lake (or ride bicycles if weather is conducive) and walk around the 5 mile loop.  See www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/mirrorlaketrail for details.  This is very flat trail that, depending again on snow cover, could take us about 3 hours to enjoy.
3.    Snowshoeing around the Valley.  If we are lucky enough to have lots of snow in the Valley, we recommend bringing snowshoes.  The Leader, Greg Weisman, will have several extra pair with him available on a first come, first serve basis.  Taking the normal hiking paths around Happy Isles, Bridal Veil Falls, Mirror Lake, the Meadows, etc. becomes a beautiful option that can last from 30 minutes to all day.
4.    Biking around the Valley.  Cycling around the Valley is always the best way to see it but this is entirely based on weather and road conditions.   Proper cold weather riding clothing will be a must!
5.    Ski or Snowboard at the Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area (formerly known as Badger Pass). This would, of course, have costs for lift tickets, and rentals if people don’t bring their own equipment.