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CHRISTMAS FEAST December 25th
Off season means MUSIC every weekend at the Bug. Generally folk, bluegrass or the like. Cheery and fun. Look at the Blog for other events and goings on.
SNOWSHOEING SEQUOIAS:
We recommend Sequoia Grove snowshoeing at Tuolumne and Merced Groves to soak in the massive trees
in white snow, orange bark and green foilage. Tuolumne Grove is the easiest mile in and mile out, take snowshoes. Merced Grove is 50% longer with snowshoes, smaller but usually quiet. $20.00 daily snowshoe rental from the Bug with poles.
CROSSCOUNTRY SKIING:
From Badger Pass to Dewey Point is a fantastic long day trip for the hearty. Rare winter views from the Valley Rim. Take snack and a full lunch and lots of water. Marked trails. Rent touring skis from Badger Pass.
Cross Country with track skis to Glacier Point require overnight stays. We always recommend Ostrander Hut (really a parkitecture XC ski hostel) which is best with touring skis and overnight reservations are required as well. Book early! These are all world class cross country courses and trails with fantastic views of El Capitan, Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra. Stay here the night before or after, that's why we have the Spa!
DOWNHILL SKIING:
At Badger Pass, above Yosemite Valley, is great for beginner and family skiing. Is very affordable and fun. It is an hour and a half from here, but worthwhile if you have that extra day. I recommend half days after 1pm for those on a schedule and a budget. Rentals and classes available.
YOSEMITE VALLEY ICE SKATING RINK
Fantastic fun for everyone. My favorite. Fire pit and tent and hot beverages for those who are there to watch and enjoy. Drizzle, snow or shine, two or three sessions a day. Go to Ahwahnee Lobby Bar afterwards for a apres skate!
MOUNTAIN BIKING:
Bring your bike and cycle along the Merced Wild & Scenic River at Briceberg BLM day use area 2 miles below us. It is generally beautiful and warm during the day through winter. Much preferable to summer's heat. You can climb the Burma Grade switch backs that starts there too up 1900 feet. At the top is a 20 mile loop that has great sunshine and views up the Merced River Valley including Yosemite.
HIKING IN WINTER?
Yes, it is California! It is all about altitude and durable snowline is above the Valley Floor. We recommend the south facing warm rim hikes all winter in Yosemite Valley. Even in the rare case the trail is covered with snow, you will at least make it half way up and into beautiful winter valley views. Boots are best!
Columbia Point is part way up the Upper Yosemite Fall Trail at Camp 4. Take a lunch and water for the sunny point. Bebop around a 1/4 mile further up the trail and view Upper Yosemite Falls dump into a large snowcone of crystallized falling water!
Mariposa Sequoia Grove is the last winter road to close and the first to open. Ask at the desk and take your boots for a great winter hike.
Vernal Falls view from the bridge or do John Muir to the top. Every winter day in Yosemite Valley should include this. Paved trail for leashed dog.
Mirror Lake is not warm BUT in the winter it IS finally a lake. Super photo op! Walk around on the entire Mirror Lake Loop for great winter wildlife exposure. You can get a bit up the Snow Creek Falls Trail past tree line for a winter close up of Half Dome and Clouds Rest.
Hites Cove Trail is 10 miles up the Merced River from the Bug and is excellent lower elevation for flora and fauna into the spring. Take your dog on this nice quarter day trip, it leads to historic Ahwahnee indian wintering grounds and gold mine site.
Hetch Hetchy is lower elevation than Yosemite Valley and the trail on the south facing side is warm and beautiful with the waterfalls and the lake. My favorite time there is winter and spring. If you have a day to polish off or can take Hwy 120 out of the Park, give this the time it derserves. 2 hours from Bug. Park at the dam, walk through the tunnel and wa la, keep going.
SIGHTSEE
Even for those of use who are adventurous there are parts of the day you are not going out, or have an hour or four to kill.
IN FISH CAMP
Try out the sleigh rides at Yosemite Trails enroute on the South Entrance to the Mariposa Sequoia Grove if you don't want to snowshoe the 2 miles in.
IN THE VALLEY
Tunnel View in the Winter when clouds break at any time is better than midsummer.
Bridalveil Falls is now just yours, worth the stop and quick walk.
Visitor's Center is exceptionally & recently well done, and
Ansel Adams Gallery is always worth a visit. Also in Yosemite Village is
the almost kitsch Natural History Museum
Ahwahnee Hotel, yes.... The bar is great and historical decor and shops are well done.
Call me a geek, but the Parkitecture is what I slow dow to look at in winter. the Bridges, the Church, the Ahwahnee, the Curry Village front desk, the Le Conte lodge, and the POST OFFICE!
IN EL PORTAL
Beside the old house, non-profits and neighborhood feeling, check out the railroad train and
it's trestle from the old Yosemite Railroad.
IN MARIPOSA
Spend a half day here, there is a State Mining and Mineral Museum at the Fairgrounds, old Jail, fascinating Mariposa History Center, old Bars, a small but good Prospector's Brewery, very old Courthouse, cool graveyard & old Gold Rush section on the main street with shops and the like. Don't forget the Yosemite Zip Lines! Look up alternative cinema at 6th Street Cinema during a long eve.
Christmas at the Bug Story - Joan Porter
