Expert: Steve Summers - 11/23/2002

Question
My wife & I have June 2003 reservations at the Ahwahnee. Can you suggest a sightseeing intinerary, please include any special places to visit & things to do. Many thanks.

Answer
You didn't say how long you will be there, so I will put my itinerary in order of importance. Feel free to switch these things around:

On the way in, stop at the Tunnel View on Hwy 41 as you enter the Vally. It's easy to see if you take Hwy 41, just slow down and prepare to turn as you exit the long tunnel. You have a great View of Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome. Also be sure to stop and see Bridalveil Falls when you come in. It's not very close to the Hotel, and this is the best chance you have to see it up close.

Tour the Valley. If you didn't bring your bikes, then rent a pair for a day. Take the bikes around the Valley. From the Ahwahnee, head over to the visitor center to see a general overview of Yosemite. The 3D relief of Yosemite National Park is pretty cool, and gives you an overview of the park. Stop at Degnan's to get an ice cream cone. Check out the pioneer cemetary and the Indian Village. From there, take the bikes over to Yosemite Falls. In June, the falls should be roaring. You might want to take along a cheap poncho, since the viewing area gets pretty misty. If it's a warm day, forget the poncho. The sun will dry you off. From the falls, take the bike trail past Yosemite Lodge, across the river, and take a look at Yosemite falls from across the meadow. Then head east towards Curry Village. Have a something to eat and drink on the patio at Curry Village. The food isn't very good anywhere in Yosemite Valley, so I would just grab a burger and a drink. Take the "Shuttle Loop" towards Happy Isles. Visit the Happy Isles Nature Center. Then take the shuttle loop over to Mirror Lake/Meadow. The last part of the road is a bit steep for the rental bikes, so you may have to walk the bikes. From there, it's a nice ride back to the Hotel. Stay to the right, and you can ride back on the path that takes you right behind the Ahwahnee. Note that you can do this in reverse, and you have the option of taking the shuttle instead of riding bikes. The shuttle service is great here.

Yosemite Theater: One night, be sure to see one of the plays in the Theater. I like Lee Stetson's portrayal of John Muir, and Connie Stetson's portrayal of a frontier wife. She is REALLY good! So is Lee, but he'll be the first to tell you that she is actually better than he is.

Glacier Point: You can drive up there, but I like to take a shuttle from the Yosemite Lodge, then hike back down. Your two main choices for hikes are 4-mile trail and 8-mile trail. 4-mile is pretty easy, taking you to Sentinal Meadow where you can catch the shuttle. 8-mile is a little more difficult, because you have a 1 mile stretch where you are going UP. Neither is hard, though. The views are worth it. The view from Glacier Point is spectacular, by the way. I like to go in the afternoon, so I can get there for sunset. If it's a full moon, then you can see the moon rising. Also, if it's a full moon, be sure to go and see Yosemite Falls again at night. In the spring and early summer, during the full moon, you can see a "lunar rainbow" in the mists of Yosemite falls. It's a very special experience that words cannot describe.

Hike to Vernal/Nevada Falls: This is a GREAT hike. Only a couple miles, but it is still a challenge for young and old alike. I've seen ALL ages on this hike, from infants (being carried) and toddlers (walking) to OLD guys. The nice part is that you don't have to rush. Take your water, take your lunch, take your trail mix, and take your time. The mist trail will cool you down if it's hot. Wear layers. Don't wear blue jeans. At the top of Vernal Falls, sit down and enjoy the view. About 100 yards upstream is Emeral Pools. It's beautiful to see, but stay out of it in June. The water is about 32.5 degrees. Later in the year, when the water level goes down, it's a bit safer to swim. If you still have energy, you can take the mist trail further to Nevada Falls. It also has a pool above it, but a number of people have died because they swam in the pool. They could not get a grip on the smooth granite bottom, which is VERY slick, and went over the falls. Not exactly the way I want to die. Great photo ops on this hike. BTW, you can see Vernal and Nevada Falls (and Illillouette Falls, too) from Glacier Point.

High Country Drive: Take the Tioga Pass Road out of the Valley to Tuolumne Meadows. It's a beautiful drive, but allow yourself the whole day. It's 70 miles of windy mountain road, but some of the most spectacular views. You will see pristine forests, Alpine Lakes, and magnificent granite peaks and domes. Stop at Olmstead Point for a photo op (you can see the back side of Half Dome). Stop at Porcupine Flat for a snowball fight. Yes, there should still be banks of snow around there that have not melted yet. One year we had 6 feet of snow at Porcupine Flats on July 1! As you might expect, it's a lot cooler up in the high country, so take warm clothes. Do this when it's hot and/or crowded in the Valley. At Tuolumne Meadows, you can take a hike, or have a picnic and head back. Please note that Tioga Road may not be open when you are there, and services may not be set up, due to the snowpack. Chances are that they will open for service, though.

Are you driving from the LA area? If you are, I recommend getting up early and going out the Tioga Road. It adds some time to your trip, but the views are worth it. Besides, you can stop in Bishop and get the best Sheepherder's Bread at Schatt's Bakery. Have a roast beef sandwich for me.

Finally, if the snowpack wasn't too high, you might be able to raft down the Merced River. They only do it once the river gets down a bit. Chances are it won't be available in June, though, because there's too much runoff. It's a fun way to spend a few hours, since you can raft 3 miles down the meandering Merced River.

Have fun!

Steve