UKC

Planning a trip to tuloumne meadows, lake tahoe in August & September. Struggling to find a decent self catering accommodation at an affordable price that hasn't featured in an American police drama scene. Thought about hiring a campervan. Would park at official car parks in the valley during the day for climbing/walking......is this a no no because of the bears? Advice appreciated from people who been and know better. Thanks

In reply to Removed UserGRUMPY MONKEY:

been
lots of people do this
so one assume ok

In reply to Removed UserGRUMPY MONKEY:

Bears have not yet learned to use tin openers outside Far Side cartoons. You should be fine.

In reply to davidbeynon:


The can and do break into vehicle with food in, the usual scenario is to bend the top half of the door down and climb in - I've seen it!


Chris

In reply to Chris Craggs:

I misremembered this one (it was coathangers): https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/ec/fb/e4/ecfbe44b83ab70134ea7d19f...

For the record I have no relevant information but lots of vague memories of past far side comics involving bears

<<I've seen it!>>

So have I!

I saw a VW camper beside the road in the North Cascades which had been ripped apart by bears. They were hungry, they could smell food, the VW was history.

In reply to Removed UserGRUMPY MONKEY:

Do they still have the metal containers and the advice to put food in there?

Al

In reply to Removed UserGRUMPY MONKEY:
Been years since I've been there but Lee Vining was a good Base. Up over the Tioga pass to Tuolome, Mono Lake in the background. Much nicer than going up interstate 5.
Has been a while though....

In reply to Removed UserGRUMPY MONKEY:

Shouldn't be any different from car camping. Just don't leave any food or food containers visible. Use bear proof boxes at canpsites.

In reply to Robert Durran:


I assume you mean don't leave 'any food sniffable' - bears have poor eyesight but a great sense of smell,


Chris

In reply to Chris Craggs:


Yes, but I heard that some have learnt to recognise cool boxes and so on!

In reply to Removed UserGRUMPY MONKEY:
Ok so campervan out. Any suggestions for accommodation. We don't want to camp for a month

In reply to Removed UserGRUMPY MONKEY:

You can stay in vans, you just have to use bear boxes. Ie stash your stuff in the containers provided at campsites. Hiking parking also has these. There are campsites in tuolomne but they are quite expensive. They charge per site so the more you can fit on it the cheaper. I just camped so cant help with hotels etc..

In reply to Removed UserGRUMPY MONKEY:

There'll be loads of campervans in the parks all summer. You can't sleep in vehicles outside official campgrounds in Yosemite national park, so you may want to book campgrounds in advance - booking opens 5 months beforehand on the 15th of the month, and weekends will sell out immediately. Camping is very nice around there though - most sites have picnic tables and firepits.

There is no problem leaving food in vehicles during the day in car parks in Yosemite NP. In all the campgrounds in Yosemite, you have to take all food out of your vehicle. There's no regulations around Tahoe as far as I know. Here's some more info from the NPS: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/storingfood.htm