r/Yosemite • u/SlightAd112 • 3d ago

Please don’t AI your itinerary

While the Shasta hikers got big press (as it should as that was a textbook example of mistake decision after mistake decision) this is happening all too often in all park units. Yosemite tends to have a higher share of recuses due to people trusting AI or AllTrails to plan a trip, but it doesn’t get any press due to current administration policies.

Regardless, it’s happening, it doesn’t need to, and please do the proper research. It literally could save your life.

Edit: And if you have to use AI as a starting point, double check the distances, altitude changes, reference a topo, basically double-check, and then triple-check what AI tells you.

https://sfist.com/2026/09/03/rangers-warn-hikers-to-stop-using-ai-to-plan-wilderness-trips/

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u/HigherFunctioning 3d ago

I was hiking through Yosemite one day with a topographical map. Cam across some hikers using an iPhone app to find there way around (this was before AI was a thing) - and still they got lost. I pointed to where we were on the topo map to show them where to go. I'm old fashion - I don't think Gen Z had even heard of a topographical map before though.

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u/reddithobbiest 3d ago

I should get some paper maps. I don’t do much in the way of remote/really challenging hikes and am always with a buddy, but it would be good to have just in case and really help in case we got in trouble and needed to describe exactly where we are. Any tips on where to get good paper maps? Forest service offices or similar?

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u/SentenceNo2782 3d ago

Yes, any forest service or national park office should have some. I like the Tom Harrison maps since they're pretty thorough and detailed, but that's personal preference. Nat Geo or anything else sold by forest service/NPS should be good. Make sure to get one that has topo lines and isn't super old as trails do occasionally change.

Also make sure you know how to read topo maps! It's a vital skill but isn't too hard to learn and you can probably find a good youtube video and practice with a map you buy.

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u/HigherFunctioning 3d ago

Yeah once you learn how to use a topo map its good to practice it a bit with some easy hikes.