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pa108

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I always trust this board for good advice, on everything from how to season steak, to best brewpubs in Iowa City.

We're (just me and wifey, we're reasonably fit and like day hiking and wineries) going to Yosemite in early June. Flying into SFO, staying for a week.

Questions:
1) Best places near the park; would like to stay under $250/night for 3 nights.
2) What else to do in the area? Lake Tahoe isnt to far, and I've heard good things about Kings Canyon.
 
I’ve spent time in Yosemite and suggest that, if your health permits it that you do more than just see the Valley. There are some good, reasonable hikes that aren’t too difficult. Panorama Trail is a really nice one. Starts at Glacier Point and 9-10 miles later you come back to the Valley. Some great views of Half Dome and the Valley and waterfalls. Depending on your decent you will walk along one of the falls. Two choices I believe. Well marked. We’ve done the walk twice and our kids at the time were as young as ten. My wife’s sister has one of the few homes in the park so we’ve never stayed in hotels but have camped at a remote section. There’s a hotel in Wawona you might look into. A classic old wood behemoth that’s maybe 8 miles from the tall trees. Also it’s the headwaters of the Merced River and some nice hiking there. Also a great swinging bridge and swimming holes. I believe there’s a factoid that some great % of visitors don’t venture 100 yards from the Valley floor. Don’t be one of them. It’s a spectacular place.
 
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pa108 said:
I always trust this board for good advice, on everything from how to season steak, to best brewpubs in Iowa City.

We're (just me and wifey, we're reasonably fit and like day hiking and wineries) going to Yosemite in early June. Flying into SFO, staying for a week.

Questions:
1) Best places near the park; would like to stay under $250/night for 3 nights.
2) What else to do in the area? Lake Tahoe isnt to far, and I've heard good things about Kings Canyon.
Click to expand...
Not many easy hikes in Yosemite. Drive to Glacier Point, great views. Take Rt 120 over the mountains to Lee Vining if you decide to go to Placid.
 
The wife and I made the trip about a dozen years. I would have done more hiking but the wife's knee's wouldn't allow that. We stayed at the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal. Rooms were clean, large, over looking the Merced and was easy in/out of the park. Spent one day in the valley and one in Mariposa Grove. Not much in El Portal so we stopped at the stores along the way to load up, might have been in Manteca.
We also flew into SFO. It was about a 5 1/2 hour drive back then since there were washouts and detours along the way. Try to plan your drive during the day if possible.
Wish we spent at least another 1-2 days at the park but already had our reservations in SF for the rest of the week.
 
Great suggestions from the other posters. For a more leisurely hike head up to Tuolumne Meadows and for more strenuous do the Half Dome with the cables.

Sequoia/Kings Canyon are definitely worth a visit if you are at Yosemite. Morro Rock is great and the Grant and Sherman trees are impressive.

We stayed at Cedar Lodge in El Portal. Rooms were nothing great but the indoor pool was nice and the Merced River has a great swimming hole right across the street from the hotel.
 
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Just note the snow pack is huge this year. It's possible Tioga Pass Road (Rt 120) may not be open yet in early June (see the link). The good news is the waterfalls should be outrageous.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.htm

If going to Glacier Point, hike the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point loop. Should only take a couple hours, great views.

https://goo.gl/photos/HJKc7H7AVAq2BnnX9

Agree above with hiking the Panorama Trail down from Glacier Point. We took the bus up from the valley and hiked down. Pretty much an all day adventure, but well worth it.

https://goo.gl/photos/JrMKiyGcR4sot8aT7

In 2016 we stayed at the brand new Rush Creek Lodge, right by the Big Oak Flat entrance station, really nice resort. It was around 35 minutes to the valley.

https://goo.gl/photos/rz3x3pLW7isPvmJJ6
 
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Relayer said:
Just note the snow pack is huge this year. It's possible Tioga Pass Road (Rt 120) may not be open yet in early June (see the link). The good news is the waterfalls should be outrageous.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.htm

If going to Glacier Point, hike the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point loop. Should only take a couple hours, great views.

https://goo.gl/photos/HJKc7H7AVAq2BnnX9

Agree above with hiking the Panorama Trail down from Glacier Point. We took the bus up from the valley and hiked down. Pretty much an all day adventure, but well worth it.

https://goo.gl/photos/JrMKiyGcR4sot8aT7

In 2016 we stayed at the brand new Rush Creek Lodge, right by the Big Oak Flat entrance station, really nice resort. It was around 35 minutes to the valley.

https://goo.gl/photos/rz3x3pLW7isPvmJJ6
Click to expand...
Did you ever do Half Dome?
 
c1976 said:
I’ve spent time in Yosemite and suggest that, if your health permits it that you do more than just see the Valley. There are some good, reasonable hikes that aren’t too difficult. Panorama Trail is a really nice one. Starts at Glacier Point and 9-10 miles later you come back to the Valley. Some great views of Half Dome and the Valley and waterfalls. Depending on your decent you will walk along one of the falls. Two choices I believe. Well marked. We’ve done the walk twice and our kids at the time were as young as ten. My wife’s sister has one of the few homes in the park so we’ve never stayed in hotels but have camped at a remote section. There’s a hotel in Wawona you might look into. A classic old wood behemoth that’s maybe 8 miles from the tall trees. Also it’s the headwaters of the Merced River and some nice hiking there. Also a great swinging bridge and swimming holes. I believe there’s a factoid that some great % of visitors don’t venture 100 yards from the Valley floor. Don’t be one of them. It’s a spectacular place.
Click to expand...
THIS^^

And my spot of choice is yesrmite lodge. Far from fancy but absent Awahee (sp?) it’s basically the best in the immediate locale. Folks cancel all the time so keep on circling back and collect as many days there as possible. That is, unless they’ve finally changed the insane reservation/cancellation policy so folks book it up then bail late.
 
Ohhhhhhhh. Just went to Yosemite and SeKi last May. I’ve been to some beautiful places in my life, but Yosemite Valley is jaw-dropping. So much beauty concentrated in 7 miles.

I stayed in the Valley. Even during May, the Valley is flooded with tourists from about 10-4, so get rolling early and avoid the insanity. I would come back from hammering all day just as the tour buses were leaving.

The waterfalls will be spectacular. An absolute must do is to hike to the top of Nevada Falls. Take the Mist Trail up and connect to the John Muir Trail in a loop. About 7 miles. You’ll hike up to Vernal, past the Emerald Pool and the fizzing Silver Apron where the water from Nevada falls comes shooting down to Vernal falls. You’ll cross Nevada falls on a footbridge and come back down with amazing views of Nevada falls and the geologic grand staircase from the other side. You will work hard to get up there, but it’s an epic hike.

Relayer pointed out 2 fantastic, easy hikes near Glacier Point. Drive to the point - check it out and get great views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and the east end of the Valley, then drive a few miles back to hike Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. Each hike is a fairly flat 2 miles round trip and they connect at a junction, so you can do both back to back. Sentinel Done has even better views than Glacier Point, and Taft Point is really exposed.

Half Dome is really tough and will be a madhouse in June. I think you also need a permit to climb the cables. I do that during a less busy time.

In SeKi, driving down to the bottom of Kings Canyon is cool. At the end is the gorgeous Zumwalt Meadows surrounded on all sides by Granite walls. There’s a very easy hike around the meadow. Then, see the trees at Sequoia. Try and take a longer route away from the main trail and you’ll soon be alone with the trees. They are awesome.

I’m jealous. I’m going to go back to Yosemite in Sept some day soon to go to Tuolumne Meadows.
 
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pa108 said:
I always trust this board for good advice, on everything from how to season steak, to best brewpubs in Iowa City.

We're (just me and wifey, we're reasonably fit and like day hiking and wineries) going to Yosemite in early June. Flying into SFO, staying for a week.

Questions:
1) Best places near the park; would like to stay under $250/night for 3 nights.
2) What else to do in the area? Lake Tahoe isnt to far, and I've heard good things about Kings Canyon.
Click to expand...

I recently stayed at the Cedar Lodge last may was nothing special but had what was needed. It's right on 140 and close to the park
 
Will second Moro Rock and Sequoia National Park. The hike out to Moro Rock is more like a walk through the forest, the hardest part is climbing the stairs. The views from the top are stunning. I think everyone should see the Sequoia's, they're massive in a way that just can't be conceived in pictures. As for Kings Canyon, I had fun but my experience probably wouldn't apply as I was on a trail for a few days and sleeping in a tent, which doesn't sound like what you're looking for.

I'm not going to start a separate thread but I'd like to ask, anyone here have any experiences with North Rim in Arizona? Supposed to be going in late September and would like some insight.
 
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Obliviax said:
Wow...I've done several national parks but not Yosemite. I've never seen that now want to get into shape and do that hike! I see several people on the cable that don't look very young or in shape.
Click to expand...
I think that video was before a permit was needed to do the cables.
 
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palmettolion said:
I'm not going to start a separate thread but I'd like to ask, anyone here have any experiences with North Rim in Arizona? Supposed to be going in late September and would like some insight.
Click to expand...

We loved the north rim. Much less hectic than the crowded south rim. Same great views. Beautiful lodge overlooking the canyon. We hiked down the North Kaibab Trail about 1500 feet.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/28b6CNMBAfYnq8Ao2
 
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All the above are really great recommendations on hikes and the comments on the north rim are spot on. No special gear is really needed for these hikes except for good footwear, hat, sunscreen and a backpack. Take plenty of water and maybe Gatorade as well to minimize cramping. I was on a more aggressive hike once and my brother in law suffered severe cramps and it made things difficult. A quart of Gatorade later and he was fine. Also some snacks or food because you will burn calories. If you have access to a camelback for water that’s a plus.
 
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In Yosemite, be sure to go to the
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias near Wawona, but GET THERE EARLY!!! A more off the beaten path area is Hetch Hetchy. I know it sounds like someone sneezing (you’ll never not hear it again), but it’s pretty remote and worth a visit. The reservoir alone is worth the drive.
 
palmettolion said:
Will second Moro Rock and Sequoia National Park. The hike out to Moro Rock is more like a walk through the forest, the hardest part is climbing the stairs. The views from the top are stunning. I think everyone should see the Sequoia's, they're massive in a way that just can't be conceived in pictures. As for Kings Canyon, I had fun but my experience probably wouldn't apply as I was on a trail for a few days and sleeping in a tent, which doesn't sound like what you're looking for.

I'm not going to start a separate thread but I'd like to ask, anyone here have any experiences with North Rim in Arizona? Supposed to be going in late September and would like some insight.
Click to expand...
The North Rim is amazing. Far less visited, cooler and more shaded. Instead of hiking partly down into the Canyon - and then having to haul your ass out, try the Widforss Trail. Out and back winding close to and away from the rim until you get to the stunning end point. One of my favorites and you won’t see many people. I counted about 15-20 people in the 4 hours I was on the trail. I was there in September as well after going to Zion and Bryce Canyon.

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/widfross.pdf
 
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ouirpsu said:
In Yosemite, be sure to go to the
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias near Wawona, but GET THERE EARLY!!! A more off the beaten path area is Hetch Hetchy. I know it sounds like someone sneezing (you’ll never not hear it again), but it’s pretty remote and worth a visit. The reservoir alone is worth the drive.
Click to expand...
Great waterfall at Hetch Hetchy. You will get drenched walking “through” it at the bottom.
 
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palmettolion said:
Will second Moro Rock and Sequoia National Park. The hike out to Moro Rock is more like a walk through the forest, the hardest part is climbing the stairs. The views from the top are stunning. I think everyone should see the Sequoia's, they're massive in a way that just can't be conceived in pictures. As for Kings Canyon, I had fun but my experience probably wouldn't apply as I was on a trail for a few days and sleeping in a tent, which doesn't sound like what you're looking for.

I'm not going to start a separate thread but I'd like to ask, anyone here have any experiences with North Rim in Arizona? Supposed to be going in late September and would like some insight.
Click to expand...

Been there twice, and highly recommend it. It's a completely different vibe than the touristy South Rim. If you're up for it, hike the North Kaibab to the Supai Tunnel and back up. Gorgeous!
 
Last edited:
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Obliviax said:
Wow...I've done several national parks but not Yosemite. I've never seen that now want to get into shape and do that hike! I see several people on the cable that don't look very young or in shape.
Click to expand...
palmettolion said:
Will second Moro Rock and Sequoia National Park. The hike out to Moro Rock is more like a walk through the forest, the hardest part is climbing the stairs. The views from the top are stunning. I think everyone should see the Sequoia's, they're massive in a way that just can't be conceived in pictures. As for Kings Canyon, I had fun but my experience probably wouldn't apply as I was on a trail for a few days and sleeping in a tent, which doesn't sound like what you're looking for.

I'm not going to start a separate thread but I'd like to ask, anyone here have any experiences with North Rim in Arizona? Supposed to be going in late September and would like some insight.
Click to expand...

Thats why I love this board. Lots of good suggestions. I'm pretty old, so I'm printing out the thread and circling things to do.

Ironically, we were at the North Rim last fall. In fact, I remember getting updates on the PSU-IU game on the Marble Canyon bridge.

North rim "closes" October 15. All park lodging is shut down, I think campgrounds are still open. But the park is still open until snowed in (Nov-Dec). We stayed at Jacobs Lake, about 40 north of the north rim. There is literally one motel, one restaurant there. There was 3-4 in snow on the ground as we drove in. We hiked the North Kaibab trail to the first stop after Supai Tunnel, I think its Roaring falls. Gorgeous day, started at 30 F, but was in 50s by the time we returned. Trail wasnt crowded, but not desolate either. A few trail runners. View from Supai Tunnel was gorgeous!
 
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Just returned from our Yosemite trip.

I frequent several message boards, PSU football, Bflo Bills, poker, strategy games.

But I think BWI has the best community, hands down.

Thanks for all of the advice, especially Chickenman and Relayer.

I learned about the snowpack, and clockwise Mist Trail.

Here was our trip.

Tuesday: Moro point at Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Outstanding views.
Wednesday: Drove to Glacier Point, took a hike at Sentinel Dome. Still covered in snow. Spectacular panoramic view of Yosemite!
Thursday: Four Mile Trail (which, per my iphone, was almost 10 miles). Gorgeous views of the valley.
Friday: Mist Trail to Nevada to John Muir. Mist is not correct. More like soaking rain. So glad to climb up those stairs rather than down! For a bit, it was just one foot in front of the other, get out of the pouring rain. Both Vernal and Nevada fall were amazing; ranger told us this was the heaviest flow in several years.
Saturday: Went to reservoir at Hetch Hetchy. Nice and relaxing trail. Met a couple up there who told us there was a 4 mile back up to get in to Yosemite.

Overall, excellent trip. Glad we went during the week, not weekend. Made late reservations so stayed in Mariposa. Daily drive in once was fun; the other days a bit of a hassle.

Thanks again for all the advice!
 
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pa108 said:
Just returned from our Yosemite trip.

I frequent several message boards, PSU football, Bflo Bills, poker, strategy games.

But I think BWI has the best community, hands down.

Thanks for all of the advice, especially Chickenman and Relayer.

I learned about the snowpack, and clockwise Mist Trail.

Here was our trip.

Tuesday: Moro point at Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Outstanding views.
Wednesday: Drove to Glacier Point, took a hike at Sentinel Dome. Still covered in snow. Spectacular panoramic view of Yosemite!
Thursday: Four Mile Trail (which, per my iphone, was almost 10 miles). Gorgeous views of the valley.
Friday: Mist Trail to Nevada to John Muir. Mist is not correct. More like soaking rain. So glad to climb up those stairs rather than down! For a bit, it was just one foot in front of the other, get out of the pouring rain. Both Vernal and Nevada fall were amazing; ranger told us this was the heaviest flow in several years.
Saturday: Went to reservoir at Hetch Hetchy. Nice and relaxing trail. Met a couple up there who told us there was a 4 mile back up to get in to Yosemite.

Overall, excellent trip. Glad we went during the week, not weekend. Made late reservations so stayed in Mariposa. Daily drive in once was fun; the other days a bit of a hassle.

Thanks again for all the advice!
Click to expand...

Nice, glad you had a great trip! Good timing that you got to experience the full fury of those waterfalls. Lately I've been checking out Yosemite Falls on the webcam.
 
pa108 said:
Just returned from our Yosemite trip.

I frequent several message boards, PSU football, Bflo Bills, poker, strategy games.

But I think BWI has the best community, hands down.

Thanks for all of the advice, especially Chickenman and Relayer.

I learned about the snowpack, and clockwise Mist Trail.

Here was our trip.

Tuesday: Moro point at Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Outstanding views.
Wednesday: Drove to Glacier Point, took a hike at Sentinel Dome. Still covered in snow. Spectacular panoramic view of Yosemite!
Thursday: Four Mile Trail (which, per my iphone, was almost 10 miles). Gorgeous views of the valley.
Friday: Mist Trail to Nevada to John Muir. Mist is not correct. More like soaking rain. So glad to climb up those stairs rather than down! For a bit, it was just one foot in front of the other, get out of the pouring rain. Both Vernal and Nevada fall were amazing; ranger told us this was the heaviest flow in several years.
Saturday: Went to reservoir at Hetch Hetchy. Nice and relaxing trail. Met a couple up there who told us there was a 4 mile back up to get in to Yosemite.

Overall, excellent trip. Glad we went during the week, not weekend. Made late reservations so stayed in Mariposa. Daily drive in once was fun; the other days a bit of a hassle.

Thanks again for all the advice!
Click to expand...
So cool. I’m jealous. I work with a guy who did Trail work at Yosemite for several years while his dad was a Ranger there. We talk about the park all the time.

Wow - Sentinel Dome still covered in snow in June. That’s crazy.

Next time I go, I’ll be heading there in mid-Sept to miss the hordes again (went in May last year) and head above the valley to the Meadows.

Sounds sappy but places like Yosemite make me proud to be American. I challenge anyone to find a prettier 7 mile stretch of this earth that beats the valley
 
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pa108 said:
I always trust this board for good advice, on everything from how to season steak, to best brewpubs in Iowa City.

We're (just me and wifey, we're reasonably fit and like day hiking and wineries) going to Yosemite in early June. Flying into SFO, staying for a week.

Questions:
1) Best places near the park; would like to stay under $250/night for 3 nights.
2) What else to do in the area? Lake Tahoe isnt to far, and I've heard good things about Kings Canyon.
Click to expand...
 
Lake Tenaya in the north part of the park was easy to get to and one of the most refreshing swims I ever had. Great water temperature and the sand Is granite based— soft but does not stick to you. Great place for a picnic and swim. Can use it as a relaxing afternoon between your hiking days.
 
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