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Post by fiddlesticks on Jun 13, 2019 22:24:00 GMT
Hi all!
We are heading to Yosemite National Park on Saturday and I had a white water rafting trip scheduled for Sunday but I just found out we can't do it. The rivers are at flood stage and they raised the age limit so my 10 year daughter can no longer go.
I am considering instead scheduling a tour through our resort. I need some advice on whether or not it would be a good idea. We have never been and I think it would be nice to just let an expert figure out where to take me for the highlights. I am not the best when it comes to hiking so I am nervous at anything that isn't just marked beginner.
Tell me what I should do.
ETA: We are arriving at a resort just outside the park on Saturday night. Staying Saturday and leaving Wednesday morning. If that makes a difference. We love the water so were hoping to raft or kayak but it clearly isn't meant to be. My foot was run over by a motorized scooter two years ago at Disneyland and it has never really recovered.
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Post by kernriver on Jun 13, 2019 22:30:18 GMT
Where are you staying?
ok, I see you said you’re staying outside the park. Their tour will probably be pretty good. I was going to say if you are staying at the Awahnee then their tour would be good. I would wonder about getting in and out of the park as it gets really busy in the summer.
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,840 
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Post by scrapngranny on Jun 13, 2019 22:54:26 GMT
This will be a great year to see the falls. It’s be a record year for the snow pack, so falls should really be huge. The river is really running fast and very cold, a little girl has died, when she slipped and fell in.
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Post by needmysanity on Jun 13, 2019 23:20:04 GMT
The best advice I can give you is to use the shuttle system. Driving in the part is really difficult and parking is a nightmare. The shuttle is super easy to use and will take you to any point on the valley floor you would like to do.
If you are able to walk about a mile or so the hike to Mirror Lake is easy. It's a wide paved trail and not too steep (right at the end is semi steep but not horrible). If you walk to the left or Mirror Lake, there is a field of carans. Its pretty cool to see all of them.
The drive up to Glacier Point is really pretty. It's about an hour from the valley floor but it's worth it. Some of the most amazing views of Yosemite you will ever see. You can also get up there via a tour if you don't want to drive.
Enjoy it all! Yosemite is my happy place. I escape up there a few times a year.
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Post by ~summer~ on Jun 13, 2019 23:25:35 GMT
I just was there last weekend - the tour sounds like a good idea - the falls are spectacular right now. If you want a fairly easy hike do Mirror Lake. You’ll escape the crowds just a bit  |
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,709
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Jun 14, 2019 0:59:08 GMT
Rent bikes! It is a nice way to see the valley!
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Post by beaglemom on Jun 14, 2019 1:11:38 GMT
Normally I would say hike! But if you can get a decent tour with the hotel that may be worth it. The parks have gotten so crowded that you aren't guaranteed parking down in the valley unless you are there super, super early. The Mariposa Grove is 100% worth doing - but I am not sure if they are doing the tram tours up there anymore...so it might be a hiking only situation. The Ahwahnee Hotel (or grand majestic whatever they are calling it) is amazing and worth going in to see. I was just reading an article that people were having to wait long wait times for the valley floor busses, so if you have something through your hotel that might be the best option.
Biking will get you around the valley floor - but not up to the actual falls. It would be a great way to see everything and to be able to stop and take the pictures you want and actually be outside. It will probably be very warm!! Pack more water than you think you will need, there are stores in the valley for water and snacks.
It is our favorite place in the world and we are heading up for the 4th of July, we have been going since I was a baby and now I get to take my kids! But we are just planning to stay up at our hotel, Wawona (Big Tree Lodge) while we are there because we don't want to deal with the craziness down in the valley since 4th of July is peak tourist time. But I have seen it all and hiked most of it!
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Post by ~summer~ on Jun 14, 2019 3:15:52 GMT
The shuttle buses are insanely crowded - if you can I would hike around the valley floor or bike. I am counting down the days until the tioga road finally opens so we can make it up to upper Yosemite to tuolomne Meadows....my favorite place on the planet
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Post by fiddlesticks on Jun 14, 2019 7:57:19 GMT
We are staying at Rush Creek Resort and they have a tour that leaves right from there. I’m think we might splurge and do it. DH hates driving in rolling parking lots so it might be the best way to go and to all enjoy the views!
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Post by ~summer~ on Jun 14, 2019 14:24:19 GMT
You will love Rush Creek Resort! It is beautiful and the food is amazing. I would do their tour. Yosemite also offers guided hikes through their mountaineering schools (my son just did an all day rock climbing class).
Rush Creek is also near the hetch hetchy part of Yosemite if you have any interest in that history....
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Post by SweetieBugs on Jun 14, 2019 15:05:59 GMT
Can anyone give some suggestions for lodging that would be on the northern-western side of Yosemite?? I live 30 miles east of Sacramento and I've only been there one time and would like to return sometime. I remember the drive as being very torturous and that is the one fact that has kept me from returning:(
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Post by kristi on Jun 14, 2019 18:27:58 GMT
We took a tour years ago through the hotel on-site. It was definitely worth it! They did all the driving, we got to see all the highlights, get out, walk, take lunch breaks, learn about the history, the trees, the controlled burns, etc. I highly recommend the tour!
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Post by buddysmom on Jun 14, 2019 20:17:57 GMT
We are staying at Rush Creek Resort and they have a tour that leaves right from there. I’m think we might splurge and do it. DH hates driving in rolling parking lots so it might be the best way to go and to all enjoy the views! We stayed at Rush Creek when they first opened in 2016. It was really nice; they had hiccups then because they had been open less than a month when we stayed but I'm sure they are running smoothly now. |
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LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
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Post by LeaP on Jun 14, 2019 23:16:40 GMT
You can go horseback riding in the south end of the park and visit so of the smaller sequoias (still big).
ETA: It is the Wawona entrance.
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Post by fiddlesticks on Jun 14, 2019 23:36:59 GMT
You can go horseback riding in the south end of the park and visit so of the smaller sequoias (still big).
ETA: It is the Wawona entrance.
Do you know how the hike at the other sequoias is? We got the tour that includes the 3 mile hike and I’m trying to decide if I should try it or bring a book. |
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LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
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Post by LeaP on Jun 14, 2019 23:53:15 GMT
You can go horseback riding in the south end of the park and visit so of the smaller sequoias (still big).
ETA: It is the Wawona entrance.
Do you know how the hike at the other sequoias is? We got the tour that includes the 3 mile hike and I’m trying to decide if I should try it or bring a book. The loop in Sequoia Park is relatively flat, I'm not sure how the Yosemite one is. Is the word meadow in the description? If so, you should be able to do it no problem because meadows are pretty flat. The horse ride we did was around a giant meadow. I was on a mule named Cadillac who just wanted to eat everything in sight. The trees are amazing and worth seeing. They only grow in a couple of places and the bark very thick and almost furry. The pine cones are teeny tiny.
Also remember that the park is a wild place and wear proper shoes and not flip flops. I'm always shocked to see people going up stone steps in heels. Also, don't clamber over barriers. Every year somebody goes over the fall because they don't realize that the water is rushing and the rocks are slick. Oh and don't feed the wildlife one of the notorious deaths in the park was caused by a deer.
I don't mean to frighten you, I've been to the parks annually and have camped alone with my two girls, but follow the ranger directions. The parks are truly spectacular. Have a wonderful trip.
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Post by SweetieBugs on Jun 15, 2019 0:16:05 GMT
We are staying at Rush Creek Resort and they have a tour that leaves right from there. I’m think we might splurge and do it. DH hates driving in rolling parking lots so it might be the best way to go and to all enjoy the views! We stayed at Rush Creek when they first opened in 2016. It was really nice; they had hiccups then because they had been open less than a month when we stayed but I'm sure they are running smoothly now.
Our last vacation was in Sydney, Australia and Auckland and Queenstown, New Zealand and we really enjoyed watching local programming. We caught a few cooking competition episodes and my DD kept commenting on how much nicer the Australian people are vs American. Also love watching local news to see what the news anchors are like. Yes, we are weird!! |
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Post by fiddlesticks on Jun 15, 2019 1:00:10 GMT
We stayed at Rush Creek when they first opened in 2016. It was really nice; they had hiccups then because they had been open less than a month when we stayed but I'm sure they are running smoothly now.
Our last vacation was in Sydney, Australia and Auckland and Queenstown, New Zealand and we really enjoyed watching local programming. We caught a few cooking competition episodes and my DD kept commenting on how much nicer the Australian people are vs American. Also love watching local news to see what the news anchors are like. Yes, we are weird!!Ha! I hadn’t even noticed that. 😂 We will deal. |
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Post by beaglemom on Jun 15, 2019 1:46:58 GMT
We stayed at Rush Creek when they first opened in 2016. It was really nice; they had hiccups then because they had been open less than a month when we stayed but I'm sure they are running smoothly now.
Our last vacation was in Sydney, Australia and Auckland and Queenstown, New Zealand and we really enjoyed watching local programming. We caught a few cooking competition episodes and my DD kept commenting on how much nicer the Australian people are vs American. Also love watching local news to see what the news anchors are like. Yes, we are weird!!I don't think any of the hotels in the park have tvs in the rooms. Wawona (Big Tree Lodge) only has internet in the golf shop. We go every year for a week and don't miss tv or internet at all. |
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