Things to do in Yosemite-Nov 2020

How do you refuse a visit to Yosemite? YOU DON’T. When my daughter AKA thebrowndaredevil, texted that she got a spot for 1 night camping site in Yosemite and was wondering if i want to go with, no wonder there at all, of course I do.

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/recreate-responsibly.htm. Visit the site before going. Roads may close in winter and reservations may be needed for day use. Have a screenshot of permits, reservations, maps and trails or hard copies of them. Minimal to No signal in the valley.

How to get to Yosemite

The nearest airport is Fresno Airport, 1 1/2 hr drive to Yosemite. However, if you are driving, these are the entrances to Yosemite:

1. South Gate – From Los Angeles. 6/12 hrs drive via Hwy 41, which will become Wawona Rd. The nearest town is Fish Camp. This is the entrance we took, as we are driving from Los Angeles area.
2. Big Oak Flat Entrance – From the Bay Area via Hwy 120. Take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 120 east via Manteca, Calif.
3. Arch Rock Entrance – From San Francisco via Hwy 140 . Take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 140 east into the park. When you enter the park through the Arch Rock Entrance, your road turns into El Portal Road.
4. The Hetchy Hetchy Entrance – The farthest north on the west side of the park.
5. The Tioga Pass Entrance – If you coming from Lake Tahoe area, Las Vegas or Death Valley. This East Entrance is only open on May-October., depending on snow conditions.

3 Day Itinerary

Here’s a link to a short clip on ClarenWanders in Youtube – https://youtu.be/_qG-t6UkHX4. If the road to Glacier Point is open, make sure to visit. It’s closed for the season. The road opens around May. They say the view from up there is amazing. If you’re up for a hike, take the four mile trail from the valley. It’s a demanding uphill- 9.5 mile round trip.

Day 1

Yosemite Valley

0500-1330hrs – Drive to Upper Pines Campground, Yosemite NPS. Passed through Wawona Tunnel, stop over @ Tunnel View. Entrance Gate is just before you reach Mariposa Grove. Again, 35$/car, good for 7 days in/out. Otherwise, just flash your National Park Pass just like us. Ask for map at the gate.

• Download a simple park map (highlighting campgrounds) [2 MB PDF] [100 kb JPG]
• Download the official park map [84 MB PDF]
• Download the official map for Yosemite Valley [7.5 MB PDF]

1500hrs – After finding our site with daughter and son in law, already set the tent up, we drove to Parking Area near the Village Store. From there we hiked Yosemite Village, Lower Yosemite Trail, all the way to the sentinel beach and swinging bridge, then back passing through the Yosemite Valley Lodge, crossing the meadow and back to the parking. It took us 4 hrs I think hiking 3 miles or so round trip. I did not get the chance to see where we’re walking as it was pitch dark at 530pm in the Valley. Be sure to pack headlamps and flashlights.

1900hrs – Back at the camp. Prepared and had dinner together, made ready our sleeping gears. Talked about the plan for the next day over wine, ended the evening.

Day 2

Vernal Falls Hike

0830hrs – To Vernal Falls. Around 1029, we only got to the bridge. We decided not to continue as the hike up may be icy, thus, not only strenuous but dangerous. And we need to get back to the campsite to pack up. However, the hike to the bridge was beautiful in itself. Worth doing whenever you are in the valley.

1130hrs – After packing up from the campsite. We drove about 15-20 minutes to The Ahwahnee Hotel. Ordered lunch, got us sandwiches and some fine cocktails to choose from. Then, we toured the hotel grounds, lucky enough to spot a couple of deers grasing. Ahwahnee Hotel has an idyllic, elegant, rustic vibe to it. Make it a point to visit.

1330hrs – After lunch and roaming the grounds of Ahwahnee, we drove back to the valley to El Capitan Base Site. It is also at the same area where a short hike to Bridal Veil Falls is located. Park your car roadside near Bridal Veil falls and hike towards the falls and El Capitan Base. The falls can be seen from the main road.

1530hrs – Drove to Yosemite View Lodge, where we are staying for 2 nights. It is 20 minutes from the valley in El portal Rd. It’s the closest hotel outside the park. They have pizza place, restaurants and a general store. Also a heated indoor pool. The lodge is situated next to the Merced River. Our room was in the first floor and has a little veranda where you can have coffee next to the mountain and a river.

Day 3

Mariposa Grove

0630hrs- On the way to Mariposa Grove Welcome Center. Today, we woke up early to be able to reach the welcome center before 7am. The gate closes and only allows vehicles for disabled visitors. That being said, if you get there past 730 hrs, you will need to park at the welcome center plaza and hike up for an extra 2 mile to reach the trailhead for you to be able to see the Giant Seqouias.

We were lucky to arrive a little after 7, gate was still open so we drove up to the parking area of the traihead, in the process, saved ourselves extra 2 mile hiking effort.

We went through the giant sequoias towering above us. There were no one but us, the silence around makes you want to keep your voice low. Being in the midst of these ancient trees makes you feel small in whatever issues you are going through. It was enchanting to just sit in the middle of these giant trees.

A short hike to The Grizzly Giant and continue for a few hundred feet behind it, is the California Tunnel Tree. Had our packed breakfast on the benches around it. Then took our mandatory jumpshots, of course after the usual photoshoot, all the while staring in awe at the preserved nature around us. Afterwards, we headed back to the valley.

El Capitan, Bridal Veil

1015hrs – Driving back to the valley for El Capitan Base, will try to spot the climbers. We did see some, that looked like ants climbing the 3000ft. granite. From the hi way, walk across the what looks like a garden of fall colored trees, find the signage that points to Bridal Veils Falls.

The trail itself to Bridal Veil was closed for renovation. We walk to the bridge and admired the falls from below it. From there, we drove inner towards the valley, stopping at the roadside near the sign that says “Cathedral Rocks”. True enough, you walk towards the woods, you’ll get to a lake and a towering granite. From the lake find an angle and look back to see the cathedral rocks.

The Chapel, Meadow

By noon, we drove around the valley to find the Chapel, which was a small church that is actually celebrating mass every Sunday. Across the hi way, in front of it, is a meadow. Ideal for photoshoot and just lingering over. You might be lucky enough to spot a bear, a deer or something else entirely.

By 3pm, we were already driving out of the valley back to the hotel. We did not go to the visitor center as it was closed. The shuttle which services to and from the valley and Mariposa Grove, was also temporarily not in commission.

We cooked our own dinner, brought our wine. Drove home early the next day after breakfast. Truly, a wonderful, amazing outdoor weekend sojourn – that is YOSEMITE!