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Yosemite National Park

Judy

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How much time should we plan to spend in Yosemite? Is a week too much?
What would you suggest doing in Yosemite and the surrounding area? This will be our first visit. We'll likely be staying at Worldmark Bass Lake.
 

kjd

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We were at Yosemite last September. One week is a rather long vacation there IMHO because Yosemite is not a particularly large national park as parks go. If you were camping, one week would be about right. Otherwise, IMHO four to five days is about right if you combine it with the Sequoia National forest next to the park. The redwoods there are spectacular.

Yosemite is one of the most beautiful parks in the np system. If you go in the Spring it will be crowded because the waterfalls will be in full array. If you like waterfalls, then Fall is not the time to go. Some of them are merely a trickle. Bridle-Vail Falls, which is a major attraction, is still going in the Fall.

Yosemite has less traffic in the Fall and therefore it's a lot less of a hassel to get around. There is not much around Yosemite except for a few small towns.
 

DeniseM

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Here is their website with lots of info. - Things to do in Yosemite

Sequoia National Park is actually 180 miles away, but Yosemite has it's own Sequoias in the Park - The Mariposa Grove.

If you like the mountains, and hiking, and being outdoors, I don't think a week is too long at all. If you are looking for more touristy attractions, rather than hiking and natural beauty, a week might be too long.

There is plenty of natural beauty to keep you busy for a week, and frankly, not much else close by.

My must sees are:
To get your bearings you might like to start out with a guided tour.
Glacier Point
Mariposa Grove
During summer I like the lazy rafting on the river
I like the evening Ranger talks
Lots of Hiking
Visit all the waterfalls
Visit the Museums

If a week is too long, consider doing 4 days in Yosemite and 3 days in Tahoe. Tahoe has casinos and restaurants, a beautiful lake, and more tourist attractions. It's fun too.
 
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travelster

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It's definitely gonna be cold. I hope you got a camping spot in the Valley! The Meadows is not a great place to be camping. There are a lot of bears and mountain lions up in the meadows area. I would suggest going on a tour, bike riding, trying their ice cream, it's sooooo good! They have all sorts of activities, so go to guest relations or call the park and they can send you itinerary and stuff.

The usual stuff is stopping at look out point when you go through the tunnel, half dome, el capitan, and hiking, they have groups that hike the trails to the waterfalls, etc.
 

DeniseM

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It's definitely gonna be cold. I hope you got a camping spot in the Valley!

They are staying at Worldmark Bass Lake - a timeshare.
 

TheDuke

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Yosemite is a magical place. Its only negative to me is that the last time we were there the park traffic was really unbearable, and the shuttles were not running the days we visited. But for sheer beauty it is unbelievable.
 

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We visited Yosemite May 10 thru 15 from our base at Bass Lake. Trafic was minimal and the falls were spectacular. A week is about right if you do any hiking. If you just want to stop and look afew minutes at the tour bus stops, 2 days will do it.
:D
 

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Even if you are not "the outdoor type," you should be there long enough to "get" Yosemite. The valley has outdoor tables all over, so have a picnic in different spots every lunch, preceded or followed by a walk. Take a book so you can just be in a place for awhile, letting the peace and beauty sink in.

The park handouts include ranger talk schedules, and some of them could be in show business. Ask other visitors which ones they liked.

If you spend too short a time in Yosemite you will regret it later, even if it's only when telling someone about it. The park has dozens of beautiful parts, but many do require moderate or greater hiking. Think about your fitness and what you are willing to do about the opportunities.

Take comfortable shoes, clothing layers, small binoculars, a decent camera and, for twilight hours, mosquito repellent.

I hope you enjoy yourselves.
 

Blues

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Many people go to Yosemite Valley, and think they've "done" Yosemite. C.f. the comment above that Yosemite is a small park. Wrong! It's more than twice as big as Rocky Mountain Natl Park, for example (1189 sq miles for Yosemite, 415 for Rocky Mountain). It's just that (a) a lot of it is accessible only on foot, and (b) even the parts accessible by road don't get a lot of traffic, except for the valley.

Don't mistake Yosemite Valley for Yosemite! The valley is nice, but way overcrowded. I won't go there during the summer. But the rest of the park is beautiful too. At the very least, you must go visit the high country (e.g. Tuolumne Meadows). On the way there, stop at Olmstead Point. It's just a roadside overlook, but you'll be rewarded with the most grandiose view you'll see in a long time. You'll look down Tenaya Valley, past Cloud's Rest, past Half Dome, all the way down Yosemite Valley. It's exquisite.

Other points of interest include Glacier Point (also an amazing view) and the Mariposa Grove of redwoods.

As said above, if you're at all outdoorsy, a week will go quickly. But even if you're not, you can find amazing views and things to do for at least 4 days or so.

-Bob
 
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Jwerking

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We visited Yosemite May 10 thru 15 from our base at Bass Lake. Trafic was minimal and the falls were spectacular. A week is about right if you do any hiking. If you just want to stop and look afew minutes at the tour bus stops, 2 days will do it.
:D

How far was Bass Lake from Yosemite - as we have considered doing this ourselves many times?

Thanks

Joyce
 

DeniseM

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From Bass Lake to the nearest park gate it's about 30 Min.
From Bass Lake to Wawona (the nearest village in Yosemite) it's about 40 Min.
From Bass Lake to the valley floor (Yosemite Village) it's about 90 min.

It can be longer during the busy summer months.

Bass Lake to Yosemite Map

If you'd prefer to stay in a vacation home IN the park, we like to stay here - The Redwoods in Yosemite
 
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Judy

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We are somewhat "outdoorsy" and reasonably fit except that DH has a bad ankle. So we won't be doing any long hikes and only a few short ones. Any bicycle trails (for sight seeing, not mountain biking), horse or mule rides, short nature hikes?

Sounds like we'll need a minimum of 4 days and maybe as much as a week.
 

DeniseM

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Any bicycle trails (for sight seeing, not mountain biking), horse or mule rides, short nature hikes?

All of the above, plus a free shuttle bus around the valley floor, and a (for pay) tram tour to various locations. For more info. check out the link in post 3.
 

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Which tour company?

Here is their website with lots of info. - Things to do in Yosemite

Sequoia National Park is actually 180 miles away, but Yosemite has it's own Sequoias in the Park - The Mariposa Grove.

If you like the mountains, and hiking, and being outdoors, I don't think a week is too long at all. If you are looking for more touristy attractions, rather than hiking and natural beauty, a week might be too long.

There is plenty of natural beauty to keep you busy for a week, and frankly, not much else close by.

My must sees are:
To get your bearings you might like to start out with a guided tour.
Glacier Point
Mariposa Grove
During summer I like the lazy rafting on the river
I like the evening Ranger talks
Lots of Hiking
Visit all the waterfalls
Visit the Museums

If a week is too long, consider doing 4 days in Yosemite and 3 days in Tahoe. Tahoe has casinos and restaurants, a beautiful lake, and more tourist attractions. It's fun too.


This list is great! We are going to Yosemite in August and I've been researching the various tour companies. The reviews of the different companies seem to be all over. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which company is best?
 

DeniseM

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Serina - I don't think you need a tour company - the park offers it's own tours.
 

tompalm

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The Yosemite Lodge food court was convenient and pretty good for the National Park service, especially breakfast. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura..._Court-Yosemite_National_Park_California.html

I would suggest getting up early and beating the crowd and eating at the Lodge. The line at the front gate could take longer than 30 minutes to get through the gate. After that, catch the bus from the Lodge to see the valley.

Mirror Lake, all the water falls in the valley, and Mariposa Grove at the south side, are some of the highlights. During the summer, go to the top of the valley at Glacier Point.

A week will go fast.
 

california-bighorn

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Mirror Lake, all the water falls in the valley, and Mariposa Grove at the south side, are some of the highlights. During the summer, go to the top of the valley at Glacier Point.

A week will go fast.

Mirror Lake no longer exists as a lake. They have let nature take its course and the lake has pretty much completely filled in, new vegetation has grown where there used to be water and it will become a meadow in not too many years. I was a little disappointed a couple of years ago when I took my wife on the short walk up the road to Mirror Lake and the lake was gone. You used to get great reflections of the granite walls that rise from the base of the "lake". Still not a bad walk and you can see how nature re-claims itself. At the site there are pictures that show how it used to look.
 

luvsvacation22

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This list is great! We are going to Yosemite in August and I've been researching the various tour companies. The reviews of the different companies seem to be all over. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which company is best?

I agree with Denise, no need for tour company. This is a great time to visit Yosemite, since we have had record snowfall; the falls are spectacular.

http://www.modbee.com/2011/06/29/1753230/hear-the-thunder-from-yosemites.html

a2c0591a.jpg


http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww353/split1291/f1c80cac.jpg
 

fillde

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Serina, upon entry to the park you will be handed a newspaper and brochures with all the activities and hikes offered by the Park Rangers. You can take advantage of their knowledge or hike and travel on your own. We hiked on our own.

We stayed at Curry Village which to us was centrally located to the various sites. By the way Curry Village had a buffett restaurant and a take out pizza stand which, in our opinion, offered very decent food.


Our family did many hikes. The toughest was Half Dome. If you are not physically fit, don't do it. We were very tired after 9 hours of hiking.And felt it for days. If you are semi fit you can do Vernal falls. Strenous but the Mist Walk was beautiful and worth it. We did encounter a tour group with horses coming back from an overnight campout. If you like to hike bring WATER.


Mariposa Groves is wonderful with the enormous Sequoia trees.

The Awhwanee Hotel is beautiful and serves breakfast , lunch and dinner.


Our favorite views were from Half Dome and Glacier Point. Glacier point is stunning at sunset.


Hope you have a wonderful trip. You will never forget it.
 
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Serina

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We are hoping to do an 'all day tour' our first day at Yosemite to get a feel for what we want to do the rest of our stay (and DH likes tours). From my research, it looks like in addition to the National Park tours, there are independent tour companies too. The one that looked interesting was "Discover Yosemite Tours"...from what I can gather, they have 28-passenger full window view vans versus the larger tour buses offered by the parks tours. Any thoughts or experiences with the different tour companies?

Thanks to everyone for all the great tips, ideas and fabulous pictures. They have been helpful - we can't wait to go! Keep 'em coming.
 

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Is that the waterfall the three young people fell off just the other day?
 

luvsvacation22

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Is that the waterfall the three young people fell off just the other day?

No, the picture I posted was Yosemite Falls. The recent tragedy occurred at Vernal Falls.
 

calgal

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Mariposa Grove

Coming from the Bay area, going to Yosemite via Mariposa Grove adds about an hour of driving, if we go there en route to Yosemite Valley. I am guessing it is worth the extra drive? Our trip (2 days in Yosemite then 4 days in Tahoe) is coming up in two weeks, so this thread is very timely. Also, I am holding duplicate reservations for our first night in Yosemite. One for Curry Village (we are definitely staying there the second night) and one at Tenaya Lodge near Mariposa. Any opinions would be appreciated.
 

DeniseM

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If I could stay IN the park, I would not stay OUT of the park - it might be less expensive, but besides that, there is no advantage to staying outside the park.
 
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