Exploring Yosemite's Charm
It is hard to imagine a more beautiful place on the face of the earth than Yosemite Valley under a veil of pristine, freshly fallen snow. Picture the towering monoliths of El Capitan and Half Dome shrouded in snow and set against a bright blue sky and white drifting clouds. Visualize Upper Yosemite Falls framed by glistening ice as the spray freezes against the cold granite cliffs. Listen to mule deer crunching through the snow of the valley floor along the deep blue of the Merced River. Winter and spring are indeed very special times to visit Yosemite National Park. The crowds are only a fraction of what they are during the busy summer months and it’s surprisingly easy to get to. The floor of Yosemite Valley is only 4,000 feet in altitude and average annual snowfall is but 29 inches. So other than perhaps a couple of days a year, the valley is very accessible by automobile and chains are rarely required. Accommodations are both marvelous and plentiful.
Nowhere in Yosemite Valley is there a more spectacular place to enjoy than the elegantly rustic Ahwahnee Hotel. Ahwahnee means “land of the gaping mouth,” the name the first residents gave to Yosemite Valley. Since 1927, the Ahwahnee Hotel has welcomed visitors with first-class luxury accommodations amidst the Valley’s world-class natural splendors. This massive six-story hotel is an architectural treasure, designated a national historic landmark in 1987. Architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood had just completed designing lodges at Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks when he was commissioned to design the Ahwahnee. The exterior features an art deco facade constructed of massive granite slabs and fireproof concrete, expertly formed and painted to resemble redwood boards and beams. The gray slate roof mirrors the backdrop of the Royal Arches that tower over the hotel.
The
interior is characterized by Native American designs and furnishings
beneath high timbered ceilings. The stained-glass windows, massive
fireplaces and comfortable sofas in the Ahwahnee’s 77-foot long Great
Lounge provide a great place to enjoy a cozy evening. The grand dining
room with its floor-to-ceiling windows and 34-foot high ceiling with
sugar pine trestles presents world-class cuisine among spectacular views
for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A pleasant bar and well-stocked gift
shop add to your pleasure.
The 99 guest rooms are extremely comfortable and each still features a header above the door stenciled with its unique Native American basket design. Hand blocked bedspreads, window treatments and tiled bathrooms continue the Native American motif. There are also 24 cottages on the hotel grounds that offer equivalent and more private accommodations Yosemite Lodge at the Falls underwent an extensive renovation in 2004 and upgrades will continue in the immediate future. The modern glass-and-wood Lodge features 245 guestrooms, a selection of restaurants, gift shops and a spectacular view of the Yosemite Falls. While certainly not as elegant as the Ahwahnee, it is still a wonderful spot to enjoy Yosemite.
Approximately 30 miles south of Yosemite Valley on Highway 41 is The Wawona Hotel, a Victorian-style getaway of unbelievable charm. Built in 1875, the Wawona was originally a stagecoach stop on the way to Yosemite Valley. Today it features 104 guest rooms (50 with private bath) and an elegant dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the summer, visitors can enjoy an outdoor swimming pool and a nine-hole golf course.Sitting before a crackling fire at The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge or Wawona sounds like a perfectly fine way to spend a day. But in the event you want to go out and explore the great outdoors, there are a wide variety of winter activities to keep you entertained. Here’s a quick list of things to do:
Sightseeing Tours. Enjoy a two-hour, 26-mile bus tour of Yosemite Valley in a modern and comfortable motor coach. The drivers are all expert guides who provide a fascinating history of the valley, its geology and its colorful cast of characters. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get out and stretch your legs at some of the most beautiful spots you can imagine. Be sure to bring your camera to capture this memorable experience.
Hiking. There are so many places to hike in Yosemite Valley that it’s difficult to know where to start. Yosemite Village with its store, Indian Cultural Museum and Visitor’s center is within walking distance of both the Ahwahnee and the Lodge and makes a good starting point. From there, you can venture out to the short walks to Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls. For the more adventuresome, most of the longer hiking trails are also passable, weather permitting. Check with the Visitor’s Center for recommendations.
Photography Walk. The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Village provides a fascinating two-hour photography walk across Yosemite Valley. Stroll in the footsteps of Ansel Adams and other famous photographers and discover the best spots for taking breathtaking pictures. Both beginner and advanced photographers will appreciate the expert guidance. Picture yourself gliding effortlessly on an outdoor skating rink beneath the spectacle of Half Dome and Glacier Point. The ice skating rink at Curry Village is a must-do for visitors of all ages. The rink is open all winter with day and evening sessions with skate rentals. Enjoy a moonlight skate and then warm your cackles at the toasty fire pit. Selected tent cabins at Curry Village are available during the winter months if you are up for some rather rustic accommodations. The Lodge at Yosemite Falls offers a theater program. Local actors portray Yosemite legends such as John Muir. Be sure to check out the current program during your visit.
For those who enjoy outdoor recreation that involves a lot of fun in the white stuff, Badger Pass Ski Area in Yosemite National Park is right up your snowbound alley. Serious downhill and cross-country skiers have long known that Badger Pass is a full service ski resort with a big emphasis on casual family fun. It may not be luxurious or modern, but there is something to be said for being among the first California ski resorts and sticking firmly to worthwhile traditions. The Park Rangers and staff that you’ll meet are genuinely friendly and helpful and they’ll show great patience with newbies, whether a five-year-old child or a 53 year-old writer.
Badger Pass is a real down-home California ski lodge that has been entertaining families and friends since 1935. With an elevation of 7,200 to 8,000 feet,Badger Pass features 10 runs and five lift chairs to serve beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. The Badger Pass Ski School is noted as among the state’s best and beginners would be hard pressed to find a better spot to learn basics. Snowboarding lessons are also offered for all levels of x-treme sporting.
Cross-country skiers will find Badger Pass a fantastic starting point for breathtaking adventure. With nearly 90 miles of marked trails and 25 miles of machine groomed tracks, you’ll find a mountain of unbelievable vistas looking over Yosemite Valley and its famous geological landmarks. The 21-mile roundtrip overnighter to Glacier Point is a memorable treat for experienced skiers, while the three-kilometer track to Old Badger Summit is a great start for beginners. The Yosemite Cross Country Ski School provides lessons.
If
you’re not particularly fond of strapping a ski or snowboard to your
feet, have we got the footwear for you! National Park Service
naturalists lead daily snowshoe walks from the Badger Pass ranger
station. If you’ve never snow shoed before, you’re in for a treat! The
two-hour walk takes you approximately 1.5 miles into the forest for an
invigorating and informative adventure. You’ll learn all about the plant
and wildlife of the area and how they survive the winters. The Park
Service provides the snowshoes all you need is a steady pair of legs and
a strong pair of lungs. A special treat is the full moon snowshoe walk
held every lunar cycle, weather permitting.
Finally, for a real ball in the snow, try snowtubing. Badger Pass has a specially groomed slope for sliding on custom-designed innertubes. Kids of all ages can fly down the hill, bouncing, sliding, weaving and laughing in this wacky variation of sledding.
Whether skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowtubing, or just enjoying a hot cup of chocolate on the great sundeck, Badger Pass is a perfect spot on a bright cold day. You will find free shuttle bus service from Yosemite Valley and a variety of ski and accommodation packages to fit your needs.
Yosemite is indeed a special place. While accommodations may be a bit difficult to find during the holiday season, you can generally find a room on short notice in the off-season, with special rates and packages. Anytime is a great time to plan a special Yosemite event, such as a wedding, reunion or anniversary celebration. You can’t get much more romantic than sharing your vows at The Yosemite Chapel, followed by a reception at the Ahwahnee Hotel. The quality of the meeting and catering services are top notch and the expert staff at Yosemite will be happy to help you plan your special event whether large or small. You can find further information about Yosemite and make your online reservations: www.yosemitepark.com Or call 559-253-5635.
Yosemite National Park
America's Favorite Wilderness Destination
Yosemite Valley welcomes millions each year…and it's no surprise. Beautiful scenery at every glance with easy, medium or hard trails to hike for wildlife viewing and camping, a peaceful preservation alluring both young and the most seasoned explorers. Find today's best tours and visit the landmarks of the park, follow its rich history enjoyed over the years. Planning a Yosemite trip involves either public or private transportation, as the park welcomes visitors to bring their own sports gear and equipment to experience hiking, fishing, biking, skiing, bird and wildlife watching among many possibilities. Yosemite offers incomparable views of high peaks, granite domes and sights to explore within 1200 square miles of preserved parkland.
Yosemite Lodging
Two High Sierra Lodges and Tent Cabins with wood stoves, breakfast, dinners with amenities can be reserved by visitors. Other options include trails from Tuolumne Meadows to 6 High Sierra camps situated on a loop trail approximately 8 miles apart to 11,516 feet elevation. All lodging is in canvas tent cabins with dormitory-style steel frame beds with mattresses, pillows, woolen blankets or comforters. Guided and independent hikes, saddle and pack trips may be arranged.
Seasons of Scenic Beauty
In the distant past, Yosemite Valley had been carved from moving glaciers reforming the Sierra granite shelf into domes and peaks, exposing forests and river beds to the present day valley. Abundant watershed during the winter months allows several cascading waterfalls to enter Yosemite Valley from several directions among a backdrop of stunning monoliths. Living Sequoia trees have made their home for thousands of years with the neighboring wildlife. The Mariposa Grove of Sequoias is accessible from Highway 41 near the southern entrance, and the Tuolumne Grove stands off Highway 140 towards Tioga Pass.
El Capitan rises 3,593 feet from the valley and 7,569 feet above sea level, scaled by expert rock climbers from all part of the world, El Capitan Yosemite is the largest exposed granite monolith in the world.
Glacier Point Road leads along the high edge of Yosemite valley below. Sentinel Dome, Taft Point, McGurk Meadow are places to view Yosemite Valley's waterfalls and watershed that fills with snow melt from upper elevations. Glacier Point highlights include Inspiration Point at the road's end, Badger Ski Area at the beginning. Trails for hiking abound with easy jaunts along the upper edge just perfect for photographers and trekkers alike.
Park Information
209/372-0200 (recording)
Hotel reservations:
209/252-4848
Campground reservations:
800/365-2267
Road and weather
information:
209/372-0200
Sightseeing tours:
209/372-1240
Badger Pass:
209/372-1445
Snow phone:
209/372-1000
Yosemite Holiday Hotline
209/454-0555
Yosemite Vintners’ Hotline
209/454-0555
Yosemite Sightseeing Tours
209/372-1240
Ahwahnee Dining Room
209/372-1489
Yosemite High Sierra Camps
209/454-2002
Yosemite Concession Services
209/372-1445
It is hard to imagine a more beautiful place on the face of the earth than Yosemite Valley under a veil of pristine, freshly fallen snow. Picture the towering monoliths of El Capitan and Half Dome shrouded in snow and set against a bright blue sky and white drifting clouds. Visualize Upper Yosemite Falls framed by glistening ice as the spray freezes against the cold granite cliffs. Listen to mule deer crunching through the snow of the valley floor along the deep blue of the Merced River. Winter and spring are indeed very special times to visit Yosemite National Park. The crowds are only a fraction of what they are during the busy summer months and it’s surprisingly easy to get to. The floor of Yosemite Valley is only 4,000 feet in altitude and average annual snowfall is but 29 inches. So other than perhaps a couple of days a year, the valley is very accessible by automobile and chains are rarely required. Accommodations are both marvelous and plentiful.
Nowhere in Yosemite Valley is there a more spectacular place to enjoy than the elegantly rustic Ahwahnee Hotel. Ahwahnee means “land of the gaping mouth,” the name the first residents gave to Yosemite Valley. Since 1927, the Ahwahnee Hotel has welcomed visitors with first-class luxury accommodations amidst the Valley’s world-class natural splendors. This massive six-story hotel is an architectural treasure, designated a national historic landmark in 1987. Architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood had just completed designing lodges at Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks when he was commissioned to design the Ahwahnee. The exterior features an art deco facade constructed of massive granite slabs and fireproof concrete, expertly formed and painted to resemble redwood boards and beams. The gray slate roof mirrors the backdrop of the Royal Arches that tower over the hotel.
The
interior is characterized by Native American designs and furnishings
beneath high timbered ceilings. The stained-glass windows, massive
fireplaces and comfortable sofas in the Ahwahnee’s 77-foot long Great
Lounge provide a great place to enjoy a cozy evening. The grand dining
room with its floor-to-ceiling windows and 34-foot high ceiling with
sugar pine trestles presents world-class cuisine among spectacular views
for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A pleasant bar and well-stocked gift
shop add to your pleasure.The 99 guest rooms are extremely comfortable and each still features a header above the door stenciled with its unique Native American basket design. Hand blocked bedspreads, window treatments and tiled bathrooms continue the Native American motif. There are also 24 cottages on the hotel grounds that offer equivalent and more private accommodations Yosemite Lodge at the Falls underwent an extensive renovation in 2004 and upgrades will continue in the immediate future. The modern glass-and-wood Lodge features 245 guestrooms, a selection of restaurants, gift shops and a spectacular view of the Yosemite Falls. While certainly not as elegant as the Ahwahnee, it is still a wonderful spot to enjoy Yosemite.
Approximately 30 miles south of Yosemite Valley on Highway 41 is The Wawona Hotel, a Victorian-style getaway of unbelievable charm. Built in 1875, the Wawona was originally a stagecoach stop on the way to Yosemite Valley. Today it features 104 guest rooms (50 with private bath) and an elegant dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the summer, visitors can enjoy an outdoor swimming pool and a nine-hole golf course.Sitting before a crackling fire at The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge or Wawona sounds like a perfectly fine way to spend a day. But in the event you want to go out and explore the great outdoors, there are a wide variety of winter activities to keep you entertained. Here’s a quick list of things to do:
Sightseeing Tours. Enjoy a two-hour, 26-mile bus tour of Yosemite Valley in a modern and comfortable motor coach. The drivers are all expert guides who provide a fascinating history of the valley, its geology and its colorful cast of characters. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get out and stretch your legs at some of the most beautiful spots you can imagine. Be sure to bring your camera to capture this memorable experience.
Hiking. There are so many places to hike in Yosemite Valley that it’s difficult to know where to start. Yosemite Village with its store, Indian Cultural Museum and Visitor’s center is within walking distance of both the Ahwahnee and the Lodge and makes a good starting point. From there, you can venture out to the short walks to Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls. For the more adventuresome, most of the longer hiking trails are also passable, weather permitting. Check with the Visitor’s Center for recommendations.
Photography Walk. The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Village provides a fascinating two-hour photography walk across Yosemite Valley. Stroll in the footsteps of Ansel Adams and other famous photographers and discover the best spots for taking breathtaking pictures. Both beginner and advanced photographers will appreciate the expert guidance. Picture yourself gliding effortlessly on an outdoor skating rink beneath the spectacle of Half Dome and Glacier Point. The ice skating rink at Curry Village is a must-do for visitors of all ages. The rink is open all winter with day and evening sessions with skate rentals. Enjoy a moonlight skate and then warm your cackles at the toasty fire pit. Selected tent cabins at Curry Village are available during the winter months if you are up for some rather rustic accommodations. The Lodge at Yosemite Falls offers a theater program. Local actors portray Yosemite legends such as John Muir. Be sure to check out the current program during your visit.
For those who enjoy outdoor recreation that involves a lot of fun in the white stuff, Badger Pass Ski Area in Yosemite National Park is right up your snowbound alley. Serious downhill and cross-country skiers have long known that Badger Pass is a full service ski resort with a big emphasis on casual family fun. It may not be luxurious or modern, but there is something to be said for being among the first California ski resorts and sticking firmly to worthwhile traditions. The Park Rangers and staff that you’ll meet are genuinely friendly and helpful and they’ll show great patience with newbies, whether a five-year-old child or a 53 year-old writer.
Badger Pass is a real down-home California ski lodge that has been entertaining families and friends since 1935. With an elevation of 7,200 to 8,000 feet,Badger Pass features 10 runs and five lift chairs to serve beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. The Badger Pass Ski School is noted as among the state’s best and beginners would be hard pressed to find a better spot to learn basics. Snowboarding lessons are also offered for all levels of x-treme sporting.
Cross-country skiers will find Badger Pass a fantastic starting point for breathtaking adventure. With nearly 90 miles of marked trails and 25 miles of machine groomed tracks, you’ll find a mountain of unbelievable vistas looking over Yosemite Valley and its famous geological landmarks. The 21-mile roundtrip overnighter to Glacier Point is a memorable treat for experienced skiers, while the three-kilometer track to Old Badger Summit is a great start for beginners. The Yosemite Cross Country Ski School provides lessons.
If
you’re not particularly fond of strapping a ski or snowboard to your
feet, have we got the footwear for you! National Park Service
naturalists lead daily snowshoe walks from the Badger Pass ranger
station. If you’ve never snow shoed before, you’re in for a treat! The
two-hour walk takes you approximately 1.5 miles into the forest for an
invigorating and informative adventure. You’ll learn all about the plant
and wildlife of the area and how they survive the winters. The Park
Service provides the snowshoes all you need is a steady pair of legs and
a strong pair of lungs. A special treat is the full moon snowshoe walk
held every lunar cycle, weather permitting. Finally, for a real ball in the snow, try snowtubing. Badger Pass has a specially groomed slope for sliding on custom-designed innertubes. Kids of all ages can fly down the hill, bouncing, sliding, weaving and laughing in this wacky variation of sledding.
Whether skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowtubing, or just enjoying a hot cup of chocolate on the great sundeck, Badger Pass is a perfect spot on a bright cold day. You will find free shuttle bus service from Yosemite Valley and a variety of ski and accommodation packages to fit your needs.
Yosemite is indeed a special place. While accommodations may be a bit difficult to find during the holiday season, you can generally find a room on short notice in the off-season, with special rates and packages. Anytime is a great time to plan a special Yosemite event, such as a wedding, reunion or anniversary celebration. You can’t get much more romantic than sharing your vows at The Yosemite Chapel, followed by a reception at the Ahwahnee Hotel. The quality of the meeting and catering services are top notch and the expert staff at Yosemite will be happy to help you plan your special event whether large or small. You can find further information about Yosemite and make your online reservations: www.yosemitepark.com Or call 559-253-5635.
Yosemite National Park
America's Favorite Wilderness Destination
Yosemite National Park was established 1890
Yosemite Valley welcomes millions each year…and it's no surprise. Beautiful scenery at every glance with easy, medium or hard trails to hike for wildlife viewing and camping, a peaceful preservation alluring both young and the most seasoned explorers. Find today's best tours and visit the landmarks of the park, follow its rich history enjoyed over the years. Planning a Yosemite trip involves either public or private transportation, as the park welcomes visitors to bring their own sports gear and equipment to experience hiking, fishing, biking, skiing, bird and wildlife watching among many possibilities. Yosemite offers incomparable views of high peaks, granite domes and sights to explore within 1200 square miles of preserved parkland.
Yosemite Lodging
Two High Sierra Lodges and Tent Cabins with wood stoves, breakfast, dinners with amenities can be reserved by visitors. Other options include trails from Tuolumne Meadows to 6 High Sierra camps situated on a loop trail approximately 8 miles apart to 11,516 feet elevation. All lodging is in canvas tent cabins with dormitory-style steel frame beds with mattresses, pillows, woolen blankets or comforters. Guided and independent hikes, saddle and pack trips may be arranged.
Seasons of Scenic Beauty
In the distant past, Yosemite Valley had been carved from moving glaciers reforming the Sierra granite shelf into domes and peaks, exposing forests and river beds to the present day valley. Abundant watershed during the winter months allows several cascading waterfalls to enter Yosemite Valley from several directions among a backdrop of stunning monoliths. Living Sequoia trees have made their home for thousands of years with the neighboring wildlife. The Mariposa Grove of Sequoias is accessible from Highway 41 near the southern entrance, and the Tuolumne Grove stands off Highway 140 towards Tioga Pass.
El Capitan rises 3,593 feet from the valley and 7,569 feet above sea level, scaled by expert rock climbers from all part of the world, El Capitan Yosemite is the largest exposed granite monolith in the world.
Glacier Point Road leads along the high edge of Yosemite valley below. Sentinel Dome, Taft Point, McGurk Meadow are places to view Yosemite Valley's waterfalls and watershed that fills with snow melt from upper elevations. Glacier Point highlights include Inspiration Point at the road's end, Badger Ski Area at the beginning. Trails for hiking abound with easy jaunts along the upper edge just perfect for photographers and trekkers alike.
Park Information209/372-0200 (recording)
Hotel reservations:
209/252-4848
Campground reservations:
800/365-2267
Road and weather
information:
209/372-0200
Sightseeing tours:
209/372-1240
Badger Pass:
209/372-1445
Snow phone:
209/372-1000
Yosemite Holiday Hotline
209/454-0555
Yosemite Vintners’ Hotline
209/454-0555
Yosemite Sightseeing Tours
209/372-1240
Ahwahnee Dining Room
209/372-1489
Yosemite High Sierra Camps
209/454-2002
Yosemite Concession Services
209/372-1445
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