🌱 How dropping Yosemite’s reservations could pack Yosemite Valley this year

Coffee in hand, Yosemite Valley? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How dropping Yosemite’s reservations could pack Yosemite Valley this year
• See how Dean Potter pushed limits on Yosemite Valley’s sheer walls

Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 65 and low of 40 degrees.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 70, low: 40.
• Sunday: Beautiful with sun and clouds, with a high of 70 and low of 40 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• What are California's most popular national parks? See latest visitor numbers (sacbee.com) — Yosemite Valley is bracing for heavier traffic and crowding this year as Yosemite National Park drops its vehicle reservation system for 2026. New National Park Service numbers show Yosemite was California’s most-visited national park in 2025, drawing over 4.2 million people and contributing to record statewide visitation that could mean longer lines and congestion in the Valley.
   

• Boulder filmmakers' 'The Dark Wizard' explores the tumultuous, inspiring life of Dean Potter (coloradosun.com) — A new HBO Max documentary series revisits climber Dean Potter’s boldest feats in Yosemite Valley, from free soloing at Glacier Point to highlining off Lost Arrow Spire. Local viewers will recognize familiar cliffs and risks as the film explores how Yosemite’s terrain shaped his record-setting climbs, wingsuit flights, and ultimately his fatal 2015 jump in the park.
   

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📸 Around Yosemite Valley

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📣 Yosemite Valley Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday April 18

• Intro to Linocut
  Yosemite Gateway Art Center , 40982 CA-41 , Oakhurst
  11:00 am
• Merced River Fest — Upper Merced River Watershed Council
  The Grove House , 4993 5th St , Mariposa
  2:00 pm
• A Grand Night for the Arts
  Sierra Meadows , 46513 Opah Dr , Ahwahnee
  6:00 pm

Sunday April 19

• Paseo de Mariposa
  5088 Bullion St , Mariposa
  3:00 pm

Tuesday April 21

• National Park Trivia
  AutoCamp Yosemite , 6323 CA-140 , Midpines
  6:00 pm

Friday April 24

• ARRAIGADO TEENS CAMP 2026
  Wawona Swinging Bridge Vault Toilet , 8110 Forest Dr , Wawona
  5:00 pm

Saturday April 25

• Sierra High Class of 1968 Reunion
  Yosemite Wine Tails , 40409 CA-41 , Oakhurst
  11:00 am

Tuesday April 28

• Madera County District 5 Candidate Forum
  Community Center of Oakhurst , 39800 Rd 425B , Oakhurst
  6:30 pm

Thursday April 30

• Oakhurst Area Chamber Celebration and Board Installation
  Community Center of Oakhurst , 39800 Rd 425B , Oakhurst
  5:30 pm
• Late for the Train: Sierragrass 2026
  Sierra Meadows , 46513 Opah Dr , Ahwahnee
  7:00 pm

Friday May 1

• Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms and the Cali Cutups
  Sierra Meadows , 46513 Opah Dr , Ahwahnee
  6:00 pm

Saturday May 2

• Mariposa Butterfly Festival
  Mariposa Fairgrounds , 5007 Fairgrounds Rd , Mariposa
  10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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🗞 Nearby News

Mariposa

• Lode Gold Fremont Gold Mine Fast-Tracks Development With 3,500 M for Preliminary Feasibility Study (newmediawire.com)
• Caltrans to Re-Open State Route 140 in Mariposa County (sierranewsonline.com)
• Tunnel collapse kills Mariposa County mother (yourcentralvalley.com)

Oakhurst

• Wildfire Risk Reduction Project Launches Along Road 620 (sierranewsonline.com)

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Ok Yosemite Valley! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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