Life as a Seasonal Worker in Yosemite National Park: My experience and what its ACTUALLY like

[@bueller48]

I had a similar experience in summer of 2000 while in college. Worked 5:30am - 2:30 in the lodge cleaning the pool, shining brass handles, taking out trash, sweeping everywhere, picking up cigarette butts, etc. but was mostly alone during those times. I did fall in love with someone on my ministry team for the first time ever. haha! I lived in Boystown and neohippies were everywhere! Riding to work from BT to the lodge at 5am was fun too. Dark is right! and chilly! Thanks for sharing! I’ve been trying to get back out there ever since. Proud i got to do some rad hikes too including halfdome and yosemite falls, among others. Sad I didn’t get to the high country though.

[@KvltKommando]

Boystown? That place where that pedophilia scandal happened?

[@brianallbright2525]

I worked in Yosemite way back in 1986. It was a great summer.

[@davidbourquebourquie8254]

I did a year and a half at Yosemite back in 2018-19, it was interesting to say the lease. Made some great friends, had some amazing crazy experiences, happy I did it, but its very easy to get swept up in the drug culture there. That being said, living their is dirt cheap, rent is nothing, if you work with food there you usually can get away with getting most your meals for free (homie hookups are huge there, we all helped each other out while fucking over Aramark any chance we got) So if you want to be able to save a bunch of money in a short amount of time, while still having a social life and having fun, its a great option.

[@Tinypistachio]

I'm looking into this for next summer. Can you share how much you got paid & the housing costs?

[@Tristan_de_Kermadec]

Too bad you did not work at the Ahwahnee hotel, you would have avoided the internet problems😂... I was going to Yosemite 3 or 4 times a year when I was living in San Francisco, but never in the summer. My absolute favorite month to visit the park is October. The waterfalls are gone, but it is so quiet, colorful, and it is the best time to see animals.

[@erin_elyse]

I had trouble connecting even there! I guess its just my luck!! October would be lovely!!

[@thethegreenmachine]

I never went there in the fall, but Spring was great.

[@rootedremembrance]

So good to know for anyone wanting to do seasonal work at Yosemite!!! ❤️

[@erin_elyse]

Thanks for watching!!💗💗

[@catherinewagner8260]

I’m trying to get a seasonal job this summer and enjoyed this video. Thanks!

[@toddlehman9155]

Love the post! Worked summer of ‘92 in Yellowstone at Lake Yellowstone in the hotel kitchen! Hiked tons throughout the park! Amazing Summer! Highly recommend it!!

[@yosemitedan7457]

As my name might suggest Yosemite has a place for me. I worked year round from 2010 to 2016. I left just as Aramark was taking over, not due to anything concerning them, the transition was just a good time to go. I bypassed some of the issues you had. Internet for instance. I started out in Lost Arrow cabins right under the falls almost. I ended up with a single dorm room behind the garage. Not about me though. I highly encourage anyone having that few months during the summer and wanting a life experience job to look into really any of the major concessionaire served parks. I know even places like the Kennedy Space Center has concessions but the real differences will be places like Yosemite, Denali, Grand Canyon. I worked with a person that was doing those three each summer in rotation and doing bookkeeping for her dad the rest of the year. She might have been having to best life of anyone ever. I would love to hear about some of the folks that were there when I was. If anyone remembers the tall dude in Grocery at thye main store say hello.

[@nayonikabanerjee7279]

where did you have access to internet?

[@robesman]

Watched this whole thing as in my head I quit my job and move to Yosemite at least 5x a year 😂 Ty for uploading

[@Zizzyyzz]

Lol.

[@mosellehaney4269]

Thank you for this video! I got a job in Yosemite that starts this winter & I’ve been looking everywhere for more info! ❤

[@erin_elyse]

Omg! You are going to have a great time! I hear winter is the best time to be there as an employee. Plus you'll probably be put in a WOB,(a cute little cabin) to start in the winter!

[@janefm9220]

Will you be posting info about working there? I’d love to follow you if you do!

[@davidbourquebourquie8254]

No its not haha, I did a year and a half in yosemite, its not horrible, just very different in the winter compared to the summer, ALOT less people, both employees and tourists, if you live in Huff you get about two hours of direct sunlight a day, the only thing to really do in your free time is to go ski at badger, which is a great place to learn how to ride (its where i did). Not trying to discourage Moselle by any means, you tend to get a lot closer to the crew in the winter, if you like quiet seclusion in nature its great. Just be prepared for the seasonal depression because you will get it. Also party drugs are huge in yosemite, have your fun (god knows I did), but also BE SMART, dont use them on a regular Baisis while you get drunk in your dark WAB because its cold and wet outside and you feel like you have nothing to do.@@erin_elyse

[@karlmurphy3090]

I used to work in the warehouse when it was all still in the valley. I left when they moved some of the stuff to Fresno.

[@sweetiemcgee]

we've gone every summer since 2017. It's so interesting to hear how employees experience the park. if I were young again, I'd definitely want to have this experience.

[@erin_elyse]

Every summer! That’s amazing!! Yes totally different experience than when I was a tourist, but anyway you get there, Yosemite can’t disappoint!

[@stevedpage114]

Thanks sharing. Visited Yosemite in Oct less crowds, stayed at Aw.. under const. a lot closed amenities, but still worth it.

[@Reindeer_Games]

Just stayed at the Ahwahnee….Aramark price gouges and pays workers minimum wage. If you are not in the Top 5% you cannot afford to stay at the Ahwahnee…they also nickel and dime…$30 per day for parking. They think it is Dubai. Never again…I will camp at Camp 4 for $10.00. Good luck trying to call Aramark for any information…NOBODY will ever answer the phone. Aramark might lose the Crater Lake concession. I hope Yosemite wises up kicks Armark out.

[@janefm9220]

I loved this information! I too would love to work at Yosemite for a season and this was great info. Love your channel too. Awe, to be young beautiful and carefree!

[@erin_elyse]

Thank you so much!! You should definitely try it out!

[@Zizzyyzz]

Do it!

[@JoeBeech]

Sounds an awesome job to do and get to see the park at the same time

[@erin_elyse]

It was overall great!

[@geraldbroflovski8114]

You’re my favorite KZbinr! Thanks for sharing the positive vibes of life!

[@erin_elyse]

WOW omg thank you!!

[@chocolate_cosmos]

Thanks for this video. I just cancelled my interview for Yosemite 💀 I can't deal with not having cell service/wifi for another season. Currently working at Aramark's Grand Canyon North Rim, Az. Season ending mid Oct and closed until april/may. It's a beautiful place but pretty boring working here since there's literally nothing to do beside hikes. Can get cell service in the actual lodge and spotty wifi at the general store that I work at. And yeah, I get annoyed at the questions ppl ask and just not having the items we need to do our jobs. I heard this place was the top seller in alcoholic products for 2 yrs 😅.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Sounds like a cool experience overall. Nice to wake up to the beauty of the nature of the park everyday

[@PoopShitz]

Also, the thing with dealing with tourists is that most go on vacation expecting to be babied plus there may be language/culture barriers. Had to step in several times bc grown men were yelling at 19 year olds bc of a rule they weren’t aware of

[@colorwhirl]

I generally free July to October. I'd like to try it!

[@kitkatlyn]

I lived in Yosemite for 1 year. If worked at curry village I worked there for 8 ish months and worked with Martha If you know her! Martha and I are friends still to this day

[@rootedremembrance]

ALSO YOUR SKIN 😍😍

[@erin_elyse]

hehe omg stopp💗

[@thethegreenmachine]

I went camping there a few times. I was always there for a week, so I got to do a lot, but a week still isn't enough to do any hanging around. Summers there were too hot and crowded for me, so I don't think I'd have liked working a summer there despite all the leisurely weekends you get. I'm glad you were able to escape the crowds.

[@xencyp6528]

Hey .. thanks for sharing.. I have an interview this coming week but am in Africa do you know if they do hire foreigners?

[@juliustan9647]

Haha i really enjoyed your video and perspective on seasonal work especially at Yosemite. Following/subscribing to see whats new!

[@itscheriebaby]

That sounds like such a cool and fun summer job!!!

[@moreclips805]

Thanks for the insight! Always wanted to spend a season doing this. Would you do it again?

[@erin_elyse]

Try it out!! It was great! I would do it again but probably at a different park to get a new experience!

[@cherylrleigh1912]

Highly recommend the article below: Parks and Degradation: The Mess at Yosemite | Chemical spills, a ceiling collapse, indoor bears. Employees and park superfans blame the hospitality company Aramark. By Laura Bliss Illustrations by Wesley Allsbrook August 06, 2024 at 6:00 AM EDT

[@TooTallGreg]

Great video! You said that working for Aramark sucks but you didn’t elaborate. Can you discuss that in the next video?

[@erin_elyse]

Oh we will get into it next video I promise haha! Thanks for watching!

[@AmericanVintagePostcards]

I just got offered a job working at Yosemite gift shop today. I have a Ford Transit 150m

[@bobbyyang9591]

Never been to yosemite. But plan it this year for sure

[@danopticon]

I’m a little confused about 12:01 … do you mean your coworkers, managers, and fellow “townspeople” were angry you were riding your bike home, do you mean tourists were angry, or do you mean people online posted angry comments on your videos of your bike commute home? And were they “angry” for your safety and wellbeing, or were they angry because, I don’t know, something like bikes scare bears or tear up the topsoil or something? I’m just baffled by this part. Thanks for uploading this video essay on life in Yosemite National Park, I’d never realized people live onsite! It sounds like a swell gig, I may look into a seasonal job for myself!!

[@irahughes8931]

It seems like she mentioned the comments were harsh

[@RottenlyMoodyChild]

This was a fantastic video! A great format for this type of video, and really informative. The new lighting and sound setup (I assume they are new?) are great! Sounds like a great overall experience, other than the mice concerns. Yes, I am. I am totally into eating broken ice cream cones 😂🍦

[@erin_elyse]

Thanks so much!!! trying to up the video quality for sure haha! The ice cream cones were greattttt

[@RottenlyMoodyChild]

You've always had pretty great production value and production quality. The new setup is just gonna take it to the next level! I know it's not exactly a viable setup for vlog style hiking and adventure videos, but for video formats like these it's fantastic! I love the van interior background. Looks so homey. Excited for future videos 😊 keep up the amazing work!

[@Jellybeanirishgreen]

haha you should have recorded your jouney there. Im new here. I live over here in merced county, hilmar ca. I'm not to far from mariposa . Glad I found ya

[@mysurlytrucker7510]

I would want to live in the bear box .😂

[@homerthompson416]

You have a favorite hike there? I should really go apply to work a season in Tuolumne Meadows, as I can't imagine being able to go hike Mount Hoffman, Clouds Rest, or go hike to Mono Pass, climb up Gibbs, and then go up Dana from there on a day off (my three favorite dayhikes I have done in the park). Still a ton of hikes I haven't done that I want to, like up to Tenaya Peak or around the Dana Plateau or do an overnight to Conness. Don't really have the technical skill to do say Cathedral Peak, Lyell, Maclure, or Mount Clark though.

[@elliottjames671]

I just accepted a job there I remember seeing this or a short or something. I wondering if employees smash there? 😂

[@thegreg79]

Hiya! Love your vids! You have really really pretty hair. :)

[@alfred2413]

I worked there in 1995 1996 1997.

[@Aspen.Denney]

Love Pattie Gonia!

[@erin_elyse]

Me too!!! It was one of the highlights of my summer

[@Thegeminibard]

I love this video! were you able to get a camping spot easier if you wanted?

[@Lisa-xw8lt]

when you leave Yosemite to go into town are you stuck in the car line for 4 hours just to get back to your tent or are there private roads/entrances for employees?

[@DanielGreinerK]

Hi Erin it's Daniel! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@AMPProf]

IT SEEMS like This is a level of I like trees thaT like yahh...

[@haystacksonthetrail1235]

Hi! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your video!! I just got a job in Yosemite and will be in the tents. I see that the avg high is 90° for 2 months. I have a small air conditioner that's made for a tent. Should I bring it??? And can employees order stuff on Amazon and have it delivered to the park?

[@sstepczak]

Have you ever thought about going van trip to Europe for like 3-4 months? Love your videos! ❤️

[@erin_elyse]

Thanks for watching! Europe is definitely on the list, and maybe even this year!! Never thought about a van though!

[@sstepczak]

you should definitely!!! i can give some tips on where to go if you’d like 🎉

[@heatherkesner]

Hi there! This was so informative, thank you☺️ Wondering what you noticed about the age range of park employees? Is it mostly younger or are there older 30s 40s folk too?

[@guntherwheeler_]

come on imagine this 21 year old kid coming into the room with a 35-45 year old roommate 😂😂

[@jas877]

I’m wondering this too!

[@erin_elyse]

Omg this is SUCH a good question! So there is definitely an age range! A lot of the seasonal summer staff is college kids in their early twenties but i was super surprised that there was a quite a few people straight out of highschool too so even younger that that! The area i lived in definitely had more people in their 30s and some of my coworkers were in their 60s. I think housing does it's best to put you in the housing area that you will best fit into, like not putting a 40 year old in the kind of party scene housing area (but keep in mine you do need seniority to get better housing).

[@erin_elyse]

@threefreemonths6181 Okay no wait this actually happned to my neighbors though! It was a mid twenties year old guy with like a 60 year old man... You can always request to switch though if you get put in an uncomfy situation and keep in mind, you're not spending a ton of time in the tent!

[@michaeloddo2003]

I worked in Yosemite when I was 48 and I had an 18 year old roommate.@@guntherwheeler_

[@christyh.8032]

Where do I apply for this opportunity. I and My best friend are interested?

[@AmericanVintagePostcards]

I guess I will need to invest in Starlink

[@wood.california]

I have an interview tomorrow do you have to pay for housing or is that included

[@blueberrykitkat8375]

When she says there's a 4-5h wait to get into the park, is there a specific entrance? I'm from Australia and a lot of the time you can just drive straight through areas of the park or there are carparks where you can stop for walking trails to waterfalls or lookouts etc

[@Nene11133]

Great video! During what months did you start and end?

[@PoopShitz]

Did you ever go to Hidden Falls Cave?!

[@nayonikabanerjee7279]

where did you get internet to post your instagram stories while in the park?

[@TravisParker-wk2hl]

I love your video Travis is single now

[@Whiteknuckler57]

What was your pay and hours per week?

[@MlSTERSANDMAN]

should get star link for internet.

[@irahughes8931]

From what I've seen it doesn't seem like you are allowed too. I could be mistaken tho

[@DaKeithCody]

Doesn't HUF have decent internet for employess?

[@robertwidger6888]

How did you relate to the NPS personnel?

[@rebecalexa]

The money subject? Is it worth it? Did you had to pay accommodation, food, etc?

[@erin_elyse]

It just about minimum wage which in California is like 15 an hour. I think it was worth it for the experience and you are able to save some because you most likely won't be spending much in the valley, but there are definitely better paying jobs out there😂 The rent is like 18 dollars a week. You have to pay for all your own food, and like I said its better to buy groceries in the nearby town than in the valley. thanks for watching!

[@Wenyi108]

Starlink?? also would you be allowed to live in your van??

[@elliottjames671]

You got hantavirus?😂

[@sheeshptreesh]

Do they have accommodations for doctors/dentists for employees who need that?

[@erin_elyse]

Funny you ask... watch my latest video if you want to learn all things medical about Yosemite. I personally had a pretty negative experience and no I would say they don't really have accommodations for that :(

[@yasmeenchatelle8298]

Beautiful intelligent girl ily

[@jeffseid6157]

is that a cow piercing?

[@iamapopsicle9457]

These videos would be like if I to this day still constantly talked about how i worked at McDonalds for 3 months as a teenager. Literally defining your life by "I worked at a National Park for 3 months".

[@irahughes8931]

Why so negative? It's a cool job that many people don't know much about.

[@rat4spd]

Internet = Elon

[@michellejar5832]

Do you drive barefoot

[@88hayla]

God i wish people would keep seasonal work the secret that it used to be. The constant copy cat youtube videos are nauseating.

[@thismachinekillsfascists1138]

Just show us your Birkenstocks.