WINTER ITINERARY

TRANSPORTATION: Vehicle Access Reservations to Yosemite National Park will be required on weekends and holidays from Mid-April through September and weekdays July and part of August, plus the Entrance Fee. The last three weekends in February also require Vehicle Access Reservations.  The February passes come available starting early December, whereas the Summer passes come up for slae the beginning of March.  Park and use the free shuttles on the entire Yosemite Valley loop drive once inside the Park.  YARTS can be taken in for $24 inclusive of the Entrance Fee and Vehicle Reservation at the bus stop at the end of our driveway.

TRAIL LUNCH: Our excellent June Bug Cafe opens at 7-10:30am for breakfast, trail lunches and water to go and dinner is 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

FIRST DAY YOSEMITE VALLEY: Standard Sightseeing With Some Hiking,
Waterfalls & Overlook Point In Yosemite Valley
Valley Loop Drive for sightseeing: Half day. About 1 hour + bus ride around. We recommend
finding a place to park and taking a free Valley Shuttle Bus around Yosemite Valley for your
camera to explore. It goes around from eastern Yosemite Valley to the El Capitan Meadow on the Loop. Get out whereyou want, another bus is 20 minutes behind. Try to make the Tunnel View just a bit south on Highway 41 with a car. Remember you can avoid the rain or snow, especially with young or elderly
companions into the Ahwahnee Hotel for light fare at the Lobby Bar or stop in at Yosemite Village to tour the museums. The Chapel is exceptional under a blanket of snow.

Columbia Rock and Upper Yosemite Falls: Park at Camp 4, and start up the switchbacks to Columbia Rock for a warmer south facing Valley view half day 1000 ft gain hike. You can go around the next long corner to view the upper Yosemite Falls when the rains bring the falls to life or low temperatures create a snow cone at its base. Further up may be blocked by snow starting January.
Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls: You will have to catch the Valley shuttle for these places but can easily walk from Half Dome Village Parking Lot or Hiker’s Lot. Take the John Muir Trail both ways since the Mist Trail may be icy. You can take families just to the bridge on a paved trail for a view of Vernal Falls.
Mirror Lake and Snow Creek Trail: Mirror Lake is full over the winter. Plenty of Half Dome reflection pictures here. Take the Mirror Lake Loop Trail for a couple of hours unless it’s flooded. Consider going up the Snow Creek Falls Trail at the end of the canyon for impressive views of Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest on the way up and at the point near the top of the rim if your boots can do the snow starting around January.
Ice Skating at Curry Village: Though smaller than it used to be, this rink is still lot’s of fun with it’s Half Dome views, Hot Chocolate and Firepit. It will be open before Christmas and you can rent ice skates for generally 12pm, 3pm and 7pm start times.

SECOND DAY: WHOLE DAY SOUTHERN YOSEMITE: Hiking & Overlook Point, Waterfalls, Sequoia Groves or use this route going out to Los Angeles:
Mariposa Sequoia Grove: The access & interpretive renovated Mariposa Grove is open off of Highway 41 at the South Entrance to Yosemite. Go early using the Highways 140/49/41 through Mariposa and Oakhurst. If the road is closed to the bus from early December through early March, consider hiking, cross country skiing or snowshoeing to the Lower Mariposa grove trees 3 to 4 miles round trip. Nice, quiet, beautiful.Wawona Covered Bridge & Pioneer Center: The bridge is 150 years old! The assembly the historical cabins from the first superintendent’s cabin to the Wells Fargo cabin do excite.

Glacier Point Ski, Ostrander Ski Hut, Dewey Point Snowshoe or Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Center: Opens early January through March. This family or learning friendly resort is inexpensive and lighthearted winter fun. You can also rent cross country skis to follow the Glacier Point groomed road to fantastic views. Dewey Point is a day of snowshoeing (you can rent from us) for an exceptional Yosemite Valley and High Country winter view. For the backcountry adventure of a lifetime, bring your backcountry XC Skis and skins to go to the Ostrander Ski Hut for a day or two by booking in advance with Yosemite Association
first.

THIRD DAY: Tuolumne and Merced Groves: Snowshoeing Sequoia Groves, use the route of Highway 120 West going to San Francisco:
Tuolumne Grove/Merced Grove: Just a quarter mile behind Crane Flat gas station on theTioga Road/120 East where the road is then closed, the Tuolumne Grove is a mile hike or snowshoe in and out along an old stagecoach road. Much easier than the Mariposa Grove.
The Merced Grove is further down 120 West, it’s great to snowshoe or ski the quieter three miles round trip after January.  Sequoias are stunning in a snowy setting.

FOURTH DAY: Hetch Hetchy: Hiking, Viewpoint and Lake walk for half day or use this route of Highway 120 West going to San Francisco:
Hetch Hetchy: If you are driving from Yosemite Valley to San Francisco or want a day visit,Hetch Hetchy is a warmer and fascinating visit! The waters against the cliffs background are stunning. Walk along the north side of the lake and enjoy it as far as you want to go untilreturning. The waterfalls flow as the rains come in the winter.

HALF DAY or GOING HOME on HIGHWAY 140: Mariposa and Merced River Wild & Scenic Area
At The Bug: Soak your weary and cold limbs at the spa after a soothing massage! We have specialty baths for soreness, skin health and colds. The Sauna is great to heat you up and clear out the head cold or lungs. Scheduling a massage or one of our private therapeutic soaks is an excellent way to work out the kinks before or after your winter activities as well! Maybe take the two hour Bug Loop trail in the daytime. It can be very difficult, slippery, wet, steep and narrow. Look for the green diamond marker on the trees every 50 feet about 12 feet up and at intersections. Red markers are trails back to the lodge. The blue marker is a short cut
halving the walk. The swimming hole is too cold, but listen for the water falls and trail that zig zags down to see it anyway. If you get lost, head back down to the Bear Creek and look up the taller slope at the Lodge. Don’t bother going in the rain or if the creek is roaring.
Merced River Wild and Scenic Area: From Briceburg Bridge upstream there is a single track trail for dogs or Mountain Bikes. You can also mountain bike or dirt bike up the Burma Grade going up right there or cycle downstream on the dirt road (5 miles each way).
Mariposa Old Gold Town & Museums: Shop along the old 1850’s era block and see the Old
Jail and the oldest operating western Courthouse. Definitely check out the Yosemite Climbing Association’s new Yosemite Climbing Museum! The Mariposa History Museum takes you back to the Gold Rush, whereas the California State Gem and Mineral Museum at the Mariposa Fairgrounds shows what was dug up here and the rest of California. Activities on weekends at the bars and saloons, like the Grove House in town, too. Do some road bicycling on the Old Toll Road from Bear Valley to Hornitos for some fun!