Driving to climbing areas in Yosemite Valley can be frustrating. Thousands of people can drive into Yosemite every day during the busy summer months and on holiday weekends. Most of these people are coming in and out of the park that same day. There is the possibility that you could drive your car to a crag or climb in the morning in no traffic and end up waiting in lines of traffic to return to your campsite. Lucky for us, there are buses in Yosemite Valley that access many of main climbing areas, and during heavy traffic days we try to keep one lane clear for buses and emergency traffic. Here’s the rundown of bus stops that access climbing areas.
Valley Shuttle: Year-round route
(Runs from 7am til 10pm every 10 to 20 minutes)
Stop 3: The Awahnee
Serenity Crack and Royal Arches area, Washington’s Column, and Awahnee Boulders are a few, look at your guidebook to discover more climbing in this area. Church Bowl is a short walk back toward the Village Store from here. Or use Shuttle Stop 4 and walk back toward the Awahnee Hotel.
Stop 6: Lower Yosemite Falls
Jam Crack, Sunny Side Bench, Lower Falls Amphitheater areas
Stop 7: Camp 4
Camp 4 Wall, Camp 4 Boulders, The Folly, and Rixon’s Pinnacle
Stop 8: Yosemite Lodge
Walk toward Lower Yosemite Falls across the street to access the 5 Open Books area, or walk across the meadow and cross Swinging Bridge, then cross the street to the Four-Mile trail and boulder at Sentinel Boulders, or approach Sentinel Rock.
Stop 11: Sentinel Bridge
Walk across the bridge and take a right at the stop sign, at the chapel cross the street and follow your guidebook directions to Chapel Wall.
Stop 12: LeConte Memorial/Housekeeping Camp
LeConte Boulders, showers and laundry at Housekeeping Camp
Stops 13b, 14, 20 and 21 in Curry Village
Curry Boulders
Stop 15: Upper Pines Campground
A short walk up the road to Trailhead Parking is the access point for Glacier Point Apron
El Capitan Shuttle: Summer Only
(Now serving bus stops all the way out to Bridalveil Falls) From 9am-6pm every 30 minutes at each stop. This bus starts late for climbers, and ends a little early, I know, but consider this option if you are going to start late to catch afternoon shade on things like the NE Buttress of Higher, or if you are cragging or bouldering.
Stop E2: Camp 4
Camp 4 Wall, Camp 4 boulders, The Folly and Rixon’s Pinnacle
Stop E3: El Capitan Picnic Area
Manure Pile, Commissioners Buttress, The Moratorium, Loggerhead Buttress Area, and Schultz’s Ridge
Stop E4:El Cap Crossover North Side
Base of El Cap, East Buttress of El Cap
Stop E5: Bridalveil Falls
Climbs on Lower Cathedral Rock, and Leaning Tower, as well as Bridalveil Boulders.
Stop E6: El Cap Crossover South Side
This has previously been a parking turnout for Middle Cathedral and Higher Cathedral Routes on Southside Drive. So it is the perfect bus stop for all of the climbs you usually access from the El Cap Crossover: Middle Cathedral Rock, Higher Cathedral Rock, Higher and Lower Spires, and the Cathedral Boulders.
Stop E7: 4-Mile Trail
Sentinel Rock, and Sentinel Boulders
A Side Note: Bicycles are a great way to get around the Valley as well, and way more fun!
Also, as per the 2014 Superintendent’s Compendium:
36 CFR § 4.31 – HITCHHIKING
• Hitchhiking is permitted in the following areas under the terms and conditions noted:
• All areas of the park when the person is off the roadway surface and when public safety and traffic flow are not adversely affected.
• When vehicles may safely pull off of the main traffic lane into a turnout or safely onto the shoulder to allow for the passengers to be received.
• When not under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs.
• When hitchhiking behavior is safe and not a nuisance
• Except in residential areas where signs exist establishing the area as residential areas only and discouraging public traffic.