Yosemite National Park via Amtrak

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint trekking to Yosemite via Amtrak is an excellent way to do so. Conscious if the many motor vehicles that burn fuel and spout exhaust throughout the beautiful national park, I wanted to reduce my own carbon footprint. Amtrak.

The Route
With backpack gear and all, Norwalk Metro Greenline Station (Blueline to Redline) to Union Station Downtown Los Angeles. Board Amtrak thruway bus (spacious I might add) to Bakersfield. Board Amtrak Train to Merced. Merced board YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit) to Curry Village where the adventure really begins. Lou from YARTS was very cool and friendly. I missed my bus back at Curry Village (coming down from the backcountry) but Lou picked me up and gave me a ride to the Lodge where I met my bus. Thanks Lou!

The connecting Train and busses are cordinated well and no worry in missing connections because Amtrak assures that (they own the busses, to from Bakersfield and LA). Very smooth.

I offset my carbon footprint. By car I would have burned 0.200 tonnes: 772 miles.

By rail burned 0.075 tonnes of carbon: 772 miles

If it were up to me, I would close access to motor vehicles and restrict access only to busses and shuttles. If.

Blackjack Hike-In Camp: Dam it was hot!

Just got back from camping on Santa Catalina Island’s Blackjack campground on the highest point and wooded part of the Island. Best part of Blackjack is going through Avalon. Worst part of Blackjack is Blackjack.

It was over 100 degrees! I just had to choose high noon to hike in with my pack.

It was ok. I was pretty hot when I arrived. No one was in my immediate camp, not within view. Soon after pitching my tent the coolest Ranger Gilligan stopped by and told me where the rinse showers where. Ahhhhhhhh! That cold outdoor shower was heaven! No it's not a nudist camp, not normally.

That early evening a bachelorette party of about 8 women camped out. Strange things occured and I will never talk about what happened.