2010 NPS Park ranking

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing

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     I was recently asked what the monthly attendance at the park was over the course of 2010. I was able to dig out the following.  As you might guess, there is a giant bell curve with the peak in August. (Much of Europe shuts down for vacation in August.) The numbers show visitors to Yosemite coming in through all gates as counted by the gate rangers. Subterranean tunnel access is not included. This supports my contention that June is the best month to hike Half Dome – the cables will be up, less chance of lightning, big waterfalls, longer days and less crowds. I hope you got your permits.

Jan    96K

Feb  100K

Mar  159K

Apr   224K

May  384K

Jun   521K

Jull   643K

Aug  660K

Sep  520K

Oct  356K

Nov 148K

Dec  98K

Total  3,901,408

     Remember, the Merced River Plan (now in development) will document a discrete number of humans who may enter the park on a given day to protect the Wild and Scenic River, the Merced.

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.” –  Iris Murdoch

*MrHalfDome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com