jareds wrote:does anyone know if there is a cap on the number of people allowed in the valley each day? seems like that's something that the nps is gonna have to start managing eventually.

They should purchase the land outside the park, there are some rolling hills/grass lands that would be a perfect spot for a parking lot. Limit the amount of vehicles and have trams take visitors into the valley floor. It's ridiculous the amount of traffic in there, it really takes away from the beauty of it all.

The park service never liked climbers. We didn't spend any money.

The park service used to get a lot of its operating capital from a commission on concession sales. That's why the park service ignored its own 1980 General Management Plan that called for a massive reduction in commercial activity and development within Yosemite Valley. That's why the park service cracked down hard on anyone who wasn't spending money.

You used to be able to stay in Camp 4 for months. Even for free, if you just showed up at Camp 4 in the evening and packed up before 8 a.m. I'll never for the first time I was awakened at 3:00 a.m. by rangers and ticketed for not having a camping permit. Bastards.

Then they started hunting us down in the talus with infra-red imaging. They were that desperate to rid the valley of vermin.

Follow the money, that will help you understand the motivations of the park service.