Yosemite National Park
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.