The Yosemite Guidbook
 

I've been to Yosemite about 30+times in my life. There is a LOT to see and do. For those of you that have either visited or have done some research, what do you want to accomplish/see/do while in Yosemite this April?

Mine:
Glacier Point (it's been AGES)
Mist Trail
Mariposa Grove
Tioga Road - maybe as far as Tuolumne (I want a meadow picnic)

The caviat with Tuolumne and Glacier point is that the roads may not be open yet.

Here are some nice photos to get you excited.

To Quote, or not to Quote, that is the question.

Silly question, quote of course!

Okay I am excited, but I'm not as fit as I think I'd like to be for extended steep treking. But, I will do my best!

The Mist Trail is a challenge. It is pretty steep in places and id bound to be quite wet that time of year. The Mariposa Grove is an easy walk. Bridalveil is also an easy walk as it the foot of Yosemite Falls.

I haven't been paying off the proper people:

Unless the roads and trails open early, all my fave stuff to do will be closed.

That includes the Mist Trail ... BUT, we would be allowed to hike as far as the base of Vernal Fall ... and that's a MUST for the Aussies. It's not entirely easy, but people of all ages and conditions routinely go this far.

If the trails are open (it would be waaay to early for that, but I can pray), I would urge anyone who's able to continue with me to the top of Nevada Fall, and then back down via the Horse Trail with it's glorious views of both falls.

Sigh, the road to Glacier Point will likely be closed ... taking with it access to my absolute favorite hike in the park - the Taft Point / Sentinal Dome Loop ... that's staggeringly beautiful and amazingly easy, except for that last little bit up Sentinal Dome. But again, routinely accomplished by people of all ages and conditions.


If past seasons are a guide, it will also be too early to do my favorite Valley Floor activities ... boulder hopping at the bases of Lower Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls. The Falls are generally too strong in early Springtime for that sort of thing.

That doesn't leave much of the type of adventurous activities that I prefer ... but there's always plenty of getting drunk at the cabin opportunities.


Of course, early Spring has one distinct advantage. While during most seasons, the Valley is famed for its five major waterfalls ... during early Spring, there are dozens of little falls in flow. Usually such that, no matter where you are, there's always a waterfall or two in view. It's like being in Rivendell.

I will follow where other lead.

I figure there are enough Chiefs on this trip: I will be an Indian.

Pretty !!!!

Why do you ask, Two Dogs ****ing?

Two Dogs Running?
Two Dogs Hunting?
Two Dogs Pontificating?

I think iSm may be right. Although...we just went the 25-27th of January and while we were taking a break at the base of Vernal Falls, there were people still heading further up. I didn't walk up and see if it was marked closed, but, I would imagine it was.

What did help us on that trail up to the falls base/bridge, those spikey things you wear on your shoes. It was icy!!!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1653556690

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1653556690

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1653556690

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1653556690

The Mariposa Grove....is that the grove of giant sequoias? Might not be open,either. BUT that doesn't mean there isn't a lot to do! I love to take on the hikes that are open, and, walking along the valley. I wish I could be there with you all.

The body heat alone is worth it. :D

I don't mean to imply there's nothing to see or do in the off season. Yosemite Valley is just frelling beautiful. And it will be nice to be there on weekdays in mid-April when it's not a madhouse of million tourists.

Nah, I don't think we should go at all. I think we'll be bored.

I shall tend bar - or is that bear?

or Bear Bars ? :p

I'm up for any hiking and adventures!

adventure!!!!!!

:D

Oh, I know. Just thought I'd state what I've experienced. And, that regardless of what you can't do, there is soooo much to do. Just don't want anyone to be let down if they have their hopes set on something...that's all.

Always an adventure!!

Fornicating.

Aint nobody going to be disappointed in nothin', and I am unanimous in this !!

Even if we're snow-bound, you can all have fun during charades watching me try to do "Yankee Doodle Dandy"

BACON !

See, that doesn't fit: there were only four asterisks in front of the "ing"

That's because my idea is twice as pleasurable as yours...;)

I am thinking we are NOT going to be snow bound (but everyone should bring chains anyways). However, after much discussion and mathmatical calculations (and reading contour maps) we have decided that that cabin is at 5700 feet in elevation. While snow line is usually lower than our elevation the temps probably won't go below 35 (average is 35-66).

Now I have a headache.

But, But.. I want snow-bound (For just one day so we can have fires and snacks and drinkies and games and stuff.... but not Donner Party snow-bound, ya know...)

We're planning on bringing some games, including a few that the whole group can play when we want. :)

Strip Twister?

Pfft - we'd have to get dressed if we play that

Strip Backgammon is fun.

Well, I know we won't be playing strip poker, since I recently discovered that I'm really bad at it. ;)

What happened - did you keep winning?

I hate to be the headache....as I know I am the one to get them planning our trips and give them as well.

The chain issue, we've been told {or read on whatever site, or told when we've made ressies, I can't remember} that it is required to carry chains up until Memorial Day weekend. {is that the first of May?} After that, they usually open up a lot of things. The Mist Trail, Glacier Point, Housekeeping Camp {brrrr}.

I hope you guys DO get snow! I couldn't remember the name of the cabins you were staying at when we drove around but I do think all of those areas had way more snow than the valley.

You never really know. We've gone the end of March/beginning of April and had tons of snow. In the valley, even!

I wish you guys a mixture of both! That would be the best!

Too bad we aren't there now. Here's some pics my SIL took from her back yard yesterday (in Oakhurst).

OMG Lisa, those are beautiful! The cat, is he looking in the window, 'Hey, quit with the picture taking...let me IN!!'

I've always been curious, and, forgive me if you answered me before {if I don't go right away it isn't in my mind}, does your SIL/Bro live in the area heading in towards the Tenaya Lodge or out more towards that casino? Or more right in the town area?

I always wonder what it would be like to live there. Try to figure out what would be a good job there...when that time comes.....

God, that snow is beautiful.

Thank you!

Tease ! :p

Tell your SIL that we're jealous.

Oh, and the cat's saying "Sure, it's warm in there"

[dance]Stoat does a little dance during which his cheese is very happy.[/dance]

At least we're used to driving in snow, and have four wheel drive. I'm not thrilled at the prospect of vacationing in the white stuff, but it will be great to see everyone!:cheers:

WB: we can turn the snow yellow if you prefer that to white......

They live about half way out the road to Bass Lake (the road that goes from the Talking Bear).

Well that would be an endless road...trust me...I know about Talking Bears.

;)

Ah, I see. What a great place!!! I forget, as the past few times we haven't gone out there, but is this the road that you turn on to go to Fresno Flats? I could be wrong. I am imagining that talking bear. :0) On the corner by the white building?

I swear, there is so much we have yet to see out there. The area you guys are staying at, I would never have imagined.

I don't ski but I love to see the photos of the old ski lodge and fun they had.

Ooo!! I don't think I've ever asked anyone here, but, has anyone here ever been to the Glacier Point Lodge? Isn't there any more but it wasn't too long ago that it was. I love the old history.

Wendybeth...Wendybeth !!!, it'll be like this:

The snow will finish at a radius of 102.73 yards from the exact center of the cabin. Within that distance, small crocus flowers will be smiling above a carpet of new spring grass. These are the ones you and others will harvest for the saffron. Don't worry, I'll be nearby to supervise.

You'll need to shoo the deer and bear away, and be careful not to stand in their poop. There'll be bunnies, too. Tori will want one, but "no, no Tori...mustn't take park animals home...and no you can't have the bunny either".

Beyond this radius, the soft snow will arc up into an 8" curve following a lazily described edge, as it recedes into a forest of cedar-birch-maple-sequoia-like trees, a slight bluish hue to the light powder.

It is here that [dance]Stoat dances[/dance].

...and no one need mind if this doesn't reflect reality - how could I fail to see what I choose to see with such great friends for company? And if that doesn't work, there's always the Duty Free in my hip-flask.

Soon, Dear Wendybeth, soon.

Love and hugs,

The Stoat XXX.

And this, dearest Stoat, is why I love you. :0)

The Talking Bear resides at Ditton Reality in the center of town. There a traffic light there and the Fresno River runs through there as well.


I don't think I ever saw the Glacier Point Lodge. I believe it burned down before my time. I also never saw the Fire Falls which ended in 1968. I think my first trip to Yosemite was in the early 70's.

They opened a new "lodge" recently that is visitors center in the summer and a ski-in ski lodge in the winter. It is really just a ski hut, but it looks interesteing (and would look more interesting if I cross country skied).

You Americans have strange things. But if you can describe 'em, I can picture 'em. ;)
.
.

Stoat!

Dear NA,

Just be thankful you didn't mention the brothel or the adult shop at Ditton Reality. I have a very fertile imagination, particularly when it comes to signs.

Love and hugs,

The Stoat XXX. PS// Let me guess: you meant Ditton Realty didn't you.

Stoat, love your creativity! {and your reality!}

Okay, Ditton Realty, is that your SILs co.? I know, I am already so forgetful but there are two big companies there and I never get them right!! I mean, there is that building you mention and I could swear there is one miles out of town, on a corner, heading into Oakhurst proper.

I have only also heard of/seen photos of the firefalls, too. I think you missed the lodge by only a few years.

Okay, this lodge that is a ski hut in the winter, is it the store up on the top of Glacier Point? Or did I miss something else? I know Badger Pass has a place. Not too exciting {we don't ski, either, although, you are right, cross country skiing would work....but that must be HARD} if you don't ski or tube. Worse if you drag your kids up on the bus and get stuck there for a couple of hours with them asking 'is the bus coming yet?' a zillion times.....

My SIL used to work for Ditton. Road 426 is the street. Here's the Google street view. (Because Stat got it ALL wrong!)

OMG how cool! And, they have a picture of the talking bear as well as the cool chapel at the cemetary!!! Yes! I love driving through there...Thank you! I don't think I've ever seen it so busy, though.

I'm going to go and play with that....

Stoat, you make a snowy spring sound bearable. I worry about your saffron fixation, but that's not important right now. You would have loved to be on our deck tonight: it's snowing and there are deer wandering about the neighborhood, setting off all the motion lights. It'd be really pretty if I WEREN"T SO FRIKKEN SICK OF THE WHITE ****!

I'm going to go have a drink now.



PS- I owes ya some mojo for that lovely post.

.

Wendybeth said: Stoat, I worry about your saffron fixation...

"Hey Mac...the woman in aisle five wants fish-flavoured dental floss for her cat".

:cool:

It's OK Mac - I Found it !!

Awww!! But I want the bunny!! :(

There was a California's Gold episode that showed the Fire Fall... very cool it was.

You can still see nature's version of it though... if the water is falling and you get the right angle at sunset the water turns all orange and red. Or at least that's how they showed it on TV.

This is what the valley looks like right now. I hope the picture isn't too big, I didn't shrink it before I uploaded it to facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1653556690

Huell Howser does such fantastic shows! I saw that episode, also.

Stoat!! How the heck did you do that?! Fantastic!

Only a month away from today!!!

Chateau de Swank!!!! :D

Can't wait!!!

MW: what's with the elephant in the middle of the meadow?

My trigger finger's itchin to open one of them cans of ready-to-eat-bacon !!