Expert: Ernest Tufft - 5/7/2008

Question
Greetings from Miami... taking the family (wife, three kids ages 12,9, and 5) to Yosemite in first week of June. We're staying in a house inside Yosemite, I believe at the south end of the park near Wawona. We were thinking of spending one day driving down to see just the highlights of Kings Canyon/Sequoia, and coming back to our Yosemite house that night. Is that feasible, or is the drive too long? It's hard to tell on the map, so a little advice would be much appreciated. Also, how long is the drive likely to take from the Wawona area of the park to the Valley area at that time of year?
Thanks for your help!

Answer
I'm afraid that a day trip from Yosemite to Kings Canyon/Sequoia is too ambitious, but I can't provide specifics on this.  I recommend using the on-line Mapquest.com to research this.  Bear in mind that unlike Florida, this region is very mountainous, and so it takes a lot of time just to go a short distance.  These two lane roads are full of hairpin turns and steep hills that make driving time consuming even within the park.  Considering the kids, I recommend spending the entire week in Yosemite.  A day swimming at the pot holes at Wawona will be fun for the family.  Similarly, renting bicycles and riding around the valley floor is another day or two done.  Drive to Glacier point, see the big trees at the Mariposa grove, and for a longer drive go up to Tuolumne Meadows.  Take a walk to Nevada Falls.  Don't forget the evening family oriented film and slide shows presented in Yosemite Village and Camp Curry.  I'd focus on a relaxing week of nature, not non-stop driving.  Have fun!