Introduction Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited parks in the U.S.A. It is here where Ansel Adams shot his most famous photographs after he fell in love with the awe inspiring landscape, the steep cliffs and the magnificent waterfalls. While most of the over 4 million visitors only see Yosemite Valley, the park has much more to offer. Mountain Climbers try their skills on the 3593 foot (about 1100m) vertical granite wall of El Capitan and Rafters ride the wild waters of the Merced River. The park draws a large crowd of professional and hobby nature and wildlife photographers. Location The park is located about 200miles (3 hours) east of San Francisco (Airport Code: SFO) in the heart of the High Sierras. From San Francisco take I-580 east, I-205 East, I-5 North (2.2mi), CA-120 east. Follow CA-120 into the park. From the west, take CA-120 to enter Yosemite National Park. If you are coming from L.A. you will most likely enter the Park on CA-140. CA-140 meets CA-120 in Yosemite Valley. From the east, you can enter on CA-120. You have to cross Tioga Pass, which is not always open (see below). The park entrance fee is $20/car. If you plan to visit at least 2 other parks within a year, you should consider buying a National Park Pass for $50. It does not include State Parks. Yosemite Valley Yosemite Valley is unquestionably the most visited part of the park. During the summer month of June, July, August and maybe September the valley is full of visitors. Traffic jams are a common occurrence. Don't let this discourage you from visiting the Valley. If you take a short hike along the many trails you can avoid the crowds easily. If you have only one day to visit Yosemite, this is definitely the place to go. It is also the only place in Yosemite where you can buy food. Free shuttle busses are available to get around. The bus stations are marked in the Newspaper that you will get at the entrance station. The best time to visit the Valley is February through late May. In February the roads may not always be open due to snow. Call 209-372-0200 for current conditions (209-372-4726 for recorded information). Most likely you will not be allowed access without carrying snow chains. Glacier Point Road and Mariposa Grove Glacier Point Road Glacier Point Road usually opens in late May (later in years of heavy snow fall) and closes in November. It is a 32-mile drive from the visitor center to Glacier Point itself (the end of the road). Plan for many stops and hikes though, as you will have some of the most spectacular views from up here. You could also hike up here, on the four-mile trail. Believe me, you don't want to try this. The elevation is not to be underestimated. If you don't have wings, you should be here by car anyways and if the road is not open so be it, but don't take my word for it. Mariposa Grove Mariposa Grove is Yosemite's largest grove of giant sequoias. In winter it is not easy to reach, as the 2-mile road into the grove is closed. You have to hike on the snow. Mariposa Grove is divided into upper and lower Grove. The largest tree (Grizzly Giant) is about 1800 years old and has seen the rise and fall of empires. If you ever wanted to feel like an insect standing next to a tree, this is the place to go. Tioga Pass If you visit Yosemite in June or July, you should consider coming up here. Actually this area should be referred to as the backcountry. CA-120 crosses Yosemite from East to West and leads over Tioga Pass. The Road usually opens in late May and closes in October, but there are years when the Road is closed until July. Massive amounts of Snow make this area inaccessible in winter. If you come here in June or July you could experience the blooming of the Wildflowers, making the Meadows a wonderful patch of colors. Tioga pass itself is 9945 feet (3031m) high and offers some of the most spectacular views of the park. If you drive through the park from East to west, take CA-120 towards Tioga Pass instead of driving towards Yosemite Valley at the intersection near Crane Flat. Immediately after the Intersection, you will come to Tuolumne Grove, another place to see giant sequoias. Even though it is not as big and magnificent as Mariposa Grove, it is still well worth the visit. Tips If you are all by yourself in the backcountry, consider that help may not be close. A large population of Black Bears lives in Yosemite. Bears have been known to break open cars to get food. Always wrap your food and pack it in such a way, that the bears cannot smell it. If you are camping and leaving open food containers around, that's just asking for trouble. Remember, Bears can run faster then you and climb trees. If you see a mother with cups, don't approach them. Mountain lions are scared of anything really big. If you have children, pick them up and put them on your shoulders to prevent them from being attacked. Bring enough film or memory cards. More than once have I seen people asking desperately around to buy them when all of a sudden the beautiful setting sun bathes the cliffs in red light and they ran out. On better days I shot a few hundred exposures. Gas up. The park is big and gasoline is not available everywhere. If you come from San Francisco, get gas in Oakdale. There are still opportunities later if you don't mind spending more money. Accomodation As usual, traveling during the weekend has its price. If you can afford to come here during the week you will get better deals, as less people will compete for the same room. I have been able to get some good deals in El Portal (on CA-140 just outside the park). There are a bunch of Hotels on CA-120, but they are much farther away from the park. If you can bankroll a stay in the Park, it is obviously the better choice. Hotels on the east side If you exit Yosemite on the East towards Mono Lake you will get to the city of Lee Vining. The only Hotel I would stay in here is the Best Western. If you have no reservation, well good luck. If you go south for about 40 minutes you will get to the town of Mammoth Lakes, offering plenty of Hotels. Alternatively you can go north towards Bridgeport. Restaurants The Restaurant that belongs to the Yosemite View Lodge is pretty good, but you have to wait to get a seat. They also have a Pizzeria if you cannot wait. Next to the Visitor Center in Yosemite Valley there is a small Burger place and a Sandwich place. Both are not very good, but I bet after a day of hiking you wont care much and a nasty burger will sound just as good as Filet Mignon. Much more information about Yosemite National Park can be found in my article http://www.opentravelinfo.com/ynp. |
