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03-28-2011, 02:51 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 768
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Yosemite
My wife and I will be visiting Yosemite 21-24 May. I've been checking out the Yosemite web site and it is obvious that we will never be able to see more than just a fraction of what the park offers in two full days. We will be staying at Yosemite Pines RV Resort and driving to the park. We definitely want to see the big trees and waterfalls and understand there are several shortish (1-4 hours) tours we can take.
Considering that we will only have about four to six hours of actual time in the park each day (we will have about 1-1 1/2 hours drive time to and from), what do you recommend as must sees? We enjoy taking pictures of everything and I suspect that my wife will do her best to "smoke" her camera!
__________________
Denny & Kylene, Abby (Golden) and Josie (Sheltie),
2004 Itasca Suncruiser 38R, W22, Ultrapower
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited
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03-28-2011, 03:58 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Manteca, Ca
Posts: 1,373
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Start each day as early as possible. My thoughts are to consider 1 day for Big Trees and Glacier point as they are in the same direction although Glacier Point is a few miles off the main Hwy that goes to the Redwood Grove. 1 day for an open tour trailer review of the park and visiting the visitor center (this should give you an idea of spend the next 2 days). The meadows will be very wet as we have had significant rain and snow this year so plan on staying on the paths and boardwalks. As you drive into the valley floor you will see signs fo Bridal Veil falls, I would stop there before you head into the village area. Take the free shuttle buses around the valley floor as they stop at most of the attractions...Happy Isle and the trail to the bridge below Vernal Falls, if you are in really good shape you might want to take the Mist Trail up to the top of Vernal Falls then on to Nevada Falls. Mirror Lake (now a meadow) is about a mile walk from the shuttle stop and a great view of Half Dome. When you head back from Mirror Lake walk the path back toward the visitor center as it rambles along giving good views of the Merced River, flowers and fauna. Yosemite Falls is less than mile from the shuttle stop and a must see...falls should be really full so expect lots of spray and mist. The Ahwanee Hotel is also on the shuttle route and worth the time to see.
My wife and I live about 3 hours away so we take day trips several times a year taking a bottle of wine, soft drinks, buy sandwiches at the Deli and our bicycles. We picnic and bike ride...the bike trails are very good. We use our bikes and don't use the shuttles, but that's our preference.
I probably told you more than you wanted, but Yosemite is our favorite place. Need more PM me.
__________________
"Piddln"
2008 Jeep Sahara '4Dr"
Ronnie Bledsoe
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03-28-2011, 04:04 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Florida Keys
Posts: 2,687
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We had two trips to Yosemite last year as my son was working as a chef in the Ahwanhee Hotel right in Yosemite Valley. He'll be back this year and will be in the park when you are there.
Where you go depends on how far you want to venture away from your car. Many hikes to do but you can't hike to the top of Half Dome in 6 hours.
- Mariposa Grove - near south entrance to park. You can see the big trees.
- Glacier Point - you can combine with Mariposa Grove and do both in one day
- Probably can spend at least two days just in the valley seeing Bridal Veil falls, the bottom of Yosemite falls, float down the Merced River for a few hours, visit the Ahwanhee Hotel and have dinner in the dining room, walk to Mirror Lake. There are also a bunch of bus tours you can do.
- Tioga Road won't be open in May so that many limit visits to the high country
__________________
Tom and Katharine
'07 Winnebago Tour 40TD, 400hp Cummins
'17 Winnebago View 24V, '02 R-Vision B+
RVing for 20 years & 200,000+ miles
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03-28-2011, 04:26 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Walnut Creek Ca USA
Posts: 837
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The Ahwanee Hotel is also on the shuttle route and worth the time to see.
Ahh The Ahwanee at dusk drinking an Irish coffee in their courtyard in the back right at sunset with the golden light of spring illuminating half dome. Ahh Yosemite. I went to mountaineering school there and spent many summers in the valley and later in the year the high country climbing in winter. It doesnt get better then that. I spent the best years of my life there and you want to know what to see in 8-12 hours. Yosemite falls, the massive redwoods, bridalveil falls, the meadows, the valley, Tioga pass, the dome, all have beauty and majesty the likes of which can't even be dreamed of by man. Me thinks you need more time. Once there, if you are anything like me, you'll never wish to leave.
Whatever your religeous beliefs are you'll agree that some higher power certaily blessed Yosemite with more then it's fair share of gifts.
Enjoy!
-Paul R. Haller-
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03-28-2011, 05:41 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,163
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golden
My wife and I will be visiting Yosemite 21-24 May. I've been checking out the Yosemite web site and it is obvious that we will never be able to see more than just a fraction of what the park offers in two full days. We will be staying at Yosemite Pines RV Resort and driving to the park. We definitely want to see the big trees and waterfalls and understand there are several shortish (1-4 hours) tours we can take.
Considering that we will only have about four to six hours of actual time in the park each day (we will have about 1-1 1/2 hours drive time to and from), what do you recommend as must sees? We enjoy taking pictures of everything and I suspect that my wife will do her best to "smoke" her camera!
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Man-o-man, you need to change your plans and spend a week there...
__________________
2014 Phaeton 36gh
2008 Jeep Rubicon or 2012 Ford F150 4x4 Lariat towds
or a couple of different trailers
Retired in Apple Valley, California
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03-28-2011, 05:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 6,393
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Last May we stayed at Oakhurst which is 12 miles from the West Entrance. We took 3 day trips into the Park and could have spent 3 more days if we had the time. See all you can in the time you have.
__________________
Wayne & Roberta
08 Winnebago Destination 39W Gas UFO Workhorse Chassis......It's really weird being the same age as old people. I thought getting old would take much longer.
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03-29-2011, 07:57 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 768
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVThere
We had two trips to Yosemite last year as my son was working as a chef in the Ahwanhee Hotel right in Yosemite Valley. He'll be back this year and will be in the park when you are there.
Where you go depends on how far you want to venture away from your car. Many hikes to do but you can't hike to the top of Half Dome in 6 hours.
- Mariposa Grove - near south entrance to park. You can see the big trees.
- Glacier Point - you can combine with Mariposa Grove and do both in one day
- Probably can spend at least two days just in the valley seeing Bridal Veil falls, the bottom of Yosemite falls, float down the Merced River for a few hours, visit the Ahwanhee Hotel and have dinner in the dining room, walk to Mirror Lake. There are also a bunch of bus tours you can do.
- Tioga Road won't be open in May so that many limit visits to the high country
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Is Tioga Road the same as highway 120? The reason I ask is because that is the way to the RV park I'm staying at and also it looks like the way to entrance into Yosemite from there. If it is closed, what way would I use to get into the park without having to drive forever?
__________________
Denny & Kylene, Abby (Golden) and Josie (Sheltie),
2004 Itasca Suncruiser 38R, W22, Ultrapower
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited
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03-29-2011, 10:33 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Manteca, Ca
Posts: 1,373
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NO! From your RV location after you enter the park there will be a left turn at Crane Flats that takes one to Tioga Pass. You continue straight (well as straight as one can be in the mountain) for about 10-15 miles to the intersection of HWY 140/41/120 where you make a left turn at the stop sign.
__________________
"Piddln"
2008 Jeep Sahara '4Dr"
Ronnie Bledsoe
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03-29-2011, 11:09 AM
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#9
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Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 93
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yosemite
I agree with Ronnie. I went to the Park yesterday. TheMerced river is very high at this time because we have large amount of rain in the mountains for about a week. The falls are also going great. The temp the next few days are expected in the 60s which will cause some snow melt,but thereis all kinds this year our rain fall for the season is 155% above norm. The park was closed for a few days because of massive power outsages( day use only.I had to use Rv gen for two days Entering park on 120 is long down hill take your time especialy at tunnelhave fun and welcome to Mariposa co. and of course the Park
Joe
Ka6bud
Mariposa Ca
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03-29-2011, 02:20 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 768
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ka6bud
I agree with Ronnie. I went to the Park yesterday. TheMerced river is very high at this time because we have large amount of rain in the mountains for about a week. The falls are also going great. The temp the next few days are expected in the 60s which will cause some snow melt,but thereis all kinds this year our rain fall for the season is 155% above norm. The park was closed for a few days because of massive power outsages( day use only.I had to use Rv gen for two days Entering park on 120 is long down hill take your time especialy at tunnelhave fun and welcome to Mariposa co. and of course the Park
Joe
Ka6bud
Mariposa Ca
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Joe,
We are looking forward to our visit. We noticed that there are VERY few CGs in the area that will take rigs over 35' and that have FHU's. We chose Yosemite Pines but are having second thoughts because in the past there were some very negative comments about the place. Do you have any other suggestions/recommendations? We are limited in our time in the park because we have two dogs and don't want to be away from them for over eight hours so I figure that will leave us about 5-6 hours each for the two days and we want to make the best of it.
Please send some rain this way because we have had virtually none since October. La Nina keeps sending it north of us.
Denny
__________________
Denny & Kylene, Abby (Golden) and Josie (Sheltie),
2004 Itasca Suncruiser 38R, W22, Ultrapower
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited
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03-29-2011, 05:46 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Manteca, Ca
Posts: 1,373
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I think that's about as close as you can get. I have not stayed at that campground, my son has and it was OK. I have driven thru and would not hesitate to use it for a couple of nights and do day trips. My dog is small, 10lbs, so when we go he rides in my bike basket. You might go on-line and check if there is a doggie day care in Groveland. I know that dogs are not allowed on the trails at the Mariposa grove...
__________________
"Piddln"
2008 Jeep Sahara '4Dr"
Ronnie Bledsoe
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04-04-2011, 10:33 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 134
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My wife and I were scheduled to be there that same week, at Yosemite Pines, but had to postpone. Now we plan to go the second week of June. I just called Yosemite Pines today and Amy told me the drive into the park is approximately 30 minutes, so hopefully you won't spend as much time driving as you had thought. I would like to hear what you think about Yosemite Pines if you end up staying there.
Ronnie, I have been to Yosemite a couple of times, but it's been a while and I will hold onto your great suggestions. We plan to stay seven nights, so we should be able to cover most of the highlights. Glad to see your comments about using bikes there, that's what we plan to do as well.
~Steve
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04-04-2011, 10:55 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Manteca, Ca
Posts: 1,373
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It is about 1/2 hour to the park entrance, but it is about another hour to the valley floor (depending on traffic and weather). Probably 2 hours to Mariposa Grove again depending on traffic and weather.
__________________
"Piddln"
2008 Jeep Sahara '4Dr"
Ronnie Bledsoe
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