We'll probably be up for some advice from y'all as to how to approach Yosemite from up here- we'll be taking I-5, but we're assuming we'll have to take one or more smaller highways to get to the entrance- any ideas?

LOL that's what I said!! Just point to the back. If they insist upon seeing them {which I doubt} dig through...if you don't find them, point the finger at each other and throw your hands up in the air. ;0) {that sounds like it would look funny!}

And, Tioga Pass is still closed, pretty sure.

http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/

I wonder if that station is manned? And, it won't matter if it snows, the HP will be there to check your tires. And only if chains are warrented.

Ah, so a cabin. Well, I think your bones will be much more happy in the future that you didn't sleep out in the cold that is expected. I was drooling thinking that you had splurged and gotten a room at the Awahnee.

Okay, not really drooling. Don't visualize that.

Oh, and if anyone goes to the stores and sees a really cool brown coffee mug with Yosemite in blue and blue inside...don't buy it. For some reason, a layer is peeling off of it. Like, plastic or something. I don't know. Blech. Loved that cup, too.

Oh, and the people turned around for chains, that was when they were necessary. Saying you have them will get you past part 'A'.

I just looked and there are a number of lisitng on Craigs List for chains/cables.

Well, there are only 3 ways in from the West. The northern entrance, which we were going to use, is via Highway 120. The Dept. of Transportation site has portions of that CLOSED. The next southerly route is via the 140, called the "All Year Highway" because it runs into the Valley via the route of the Merced River, and thus doesn't cross any mountain passes. Always Open. That's the route I would suggest.

In fact, when are you traveling? Wanna meet up in Modesto or something and caravan in??:cool:


Oooh, oooh, let's make it two gay guys searching for the vehicle grail through the car parts stores of rural California ... that'll be even funnier!





oh.




wait.

Coming from the North? I am sure if you mapquest it, it will say. The thing is to remember some entrances are closed during the winter. Or, rather, through Memorial Day weekend.

The El Portal entrance should be open, we've taken that out to do Hwy'49.

The typical way is the south entrance, we get there through Oakhurst.

See what you get and then come back on here. I would think Alex would be able to tell you, or STC as they would be coming that way.

Also, might be a good idea to carry the number for road conditions so that you can call and check if you are in any doubt about weather/closures.

In that case, it'd be a suspense thriller. :p

OK, I talked to my SIL who has lived in Yosemite for 40+ years. These are her directions from the North or North East.


Take the 5 to Sacramento, transition to the 99 South. At Madera, take the 145 East to the 41. Turn left at the 41 and take the 41 through Coursegold, Oakhurst and Fishcamp and the Park entrance is just past Fish Camp. You'll drive about 45 minutes to an hour until you'll see signs for Badger Pass/Glacier Point (it will probably be a brown sign first that says Badger Pass - Open Glacier Point - Closed) and also for Yosemite West. The Badger Pass/Glacier point road will be on your right and the road for Yosemite West will be on the left. You're going to turn into Yosemite West and follow the cabin map to our cabin.

BTW, they had 12" of snow at Fish Camp yesterday is at 5280'. The cabin is at 5800' so it got at least 12" of snow if not more.

The roads should be clear but there may be snow on the ground.


BTW:
Do NOT go over the speed limit on 41. They are having a ticket frenzy lately. California needs money.

According to the official Yosemite site, HWY 120 is open to Big Oak road, for those coming in from the north looking to take a slow and scenic route. We're still going to call on Monday morning though, and double-check before attempting the route. NA's route seems a lot more safer though.

Also, here are the current trail conditions:

All park trails are open, except:

• The southern portion of the Mirror Lake Loop is closed due to a rockslide. (Access to Mirror Lake and Snow Creek Trail is still available, as usual.) Learn more about the rockfall.
• The Mist Trail between Vernal Fall Footbridge and the top of Vernal Fall is now open; the John Muir Trail between Clark Point and the top of Nevada Fall is closed for the winter.
• The Four Mile Trail between Union Point and Glacier Point is closed for the winter (there is no access to Glacier Point via this trail).
• The Half Dome cables are down for the season. They are usually reinstalled just before the third weekend in May. (Learn more about the Half Dome hike.)

And, check out the rockslide pics! :) Kinda cool that it just recently happened. Might be fun to check out, if the trail is upon up to that point.

Same way as from down here: with an open mind.

With no offense meant to NA.'s sister-in-law, why would one travel another hour south to Madera and then head back north that same hour, thru Oakhurst and Wawona and then another 40 minutes on the windy Wawona Road almost all the way back to the same lattitude you would have been at when passing thru Merced on the 99 - from where you can head northwest into Yosemite on 140, All Year Highway along the Riverbed thru El Portal??


Wendy, look at a map.



If someone local were recommending I go more than an hour around about out of my way, I'd assume it would be for better road conditions. But the 140 is called the All Year Highway because it's never closed for snow, and runs into Yosemite without crossing any mountain passes.


So I don't get it. Sounds like changing planes in Denver to travel from Phoenix to Los Angeles.