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bflood wrote:
Seems we're starting an old fart convention here. Let me emphasize Mark's recommendation for traction for your feet. I tried that slipping on ice thing a half year after I retired and, trust me on this, it doesn't work out well. Flew home with my leg in a cast and the doctor used an erector set to put my ankle and leg together (still works fairly well, though). Be realistic and mindful of you own limitations, especially if you are traveling alone (I was).
I agree that being prepared for snow is needed for an April trip. Snow is also possible in October, but much less likely and unlikely to be an amount that would be more than an inconvenience for a day or so. Keep in mind that the park doesn't plow the roads in the high country, which includes the road to Glacier Point, so snow that doesn't melt can become a real obstacle. If they have a heavy snow winter and spring is cool, you should expect that the roads in the high country won't be open yet. October snow, however, usually falls on pavement that isn't cold enough to freeze yet, melting a typically light October snowfall. No promises, of course, but October is a much lower snow risk.
Books: I agree on Michael Frye's book, and will add another - Lewis Kemper's Photographing Yosemite Digital Field Guide. Frye's book is smaller but much better suited to carrying with you to have handy in the park, while Kemper's book has more extensive information, but isn't nearly as user-friendly in field conditions.
You don't say how much time you are allowing for your drive from College Station to Yosemite or the route you intent to take each way. If you haven't been out west with a chance to photograph it, be careful of trying to schedule too much. There's so much worth seeing and shooting that it's easy to make a plan that includes more than you can realistically do....Show more →
Here's a link to the CalTrans highway info regarding traction:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/trucks/chains.html
Basically, you're on your own but responsible if conditions call for traction. You can buy them when you get close if conditions call for them. A set will cost you between $50 and $100 - cables are generally shorter lived but less damaging to wheels and tires than are the chains.
The points about knowing your limits and don't plan too much go hand in hand. More than physical abilities, it's a question of how long you can live out of a car and tent. Even mixing in 2-4 motel nights a week, my limit seems to be about three weeks.... and shrinking it seems )-:
-Mark
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