Should we skip Yosemite?
Jul 30th, 2015, 08:00 PM
#1
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Should we skip Yosemite?
We will be in San Francisco for eight days in late September. The original plan was four full days in San Francisco, one day for Carmel and Point Lobos, one day driving the coat from Carmel to Cambria and back, and two days in Yosemite NP.
I have read countless articles recently about how the drought has negatively affected the waterfalls at Yosemite. I also just found out the Mariposa Grove is closed until 2017. Would this be enough to warrant skipping Yosemite and saving it for another trip, or do you think it's still worth going? We already have a reservation at Wawona Hotel but it is able to be cancelled. I have also double booked a room in San Francisco for that night in case we do cancel, so we are covered either way.
If we skip Yosemite we will likely add a fifth day in San Francisco and a day for the wine country or Point Reyes.
I have read countless articles recently about how the drought has negatively affected the waterfalls at Yosemite. I also just found out the Mariposa Grove is closed until 2017. Would this be enough to warrant skipping Yosemite and saving it for another trip, or do you think it's still worth going? We already have a reservation at Wawona Hotel but it is able to be cancelled. I have also double booked a room in San Francisco for that night in case we do cancel, so we are covered either way.
If we skip Yosemite we will likely add a fifth day in San Francisco and a day for the wine country or Point Reyes.
Jul 30th, 2015, 08:10 PM
#2
It sounds to me like, under the circumstances, it wouldn't break your heart to visit Yosemite another time. If the falls are high on your list it makes sense to come back in the late spring when they're at their best.
If you decide to go, there's a road from Cambria, Rt. 41, that's a pleasant rural 2 lane road that I've driven from Yosemite that will take you to Wawona and save backtracking. Yosemite Valley is still spectacular, with or without falls.
If you decide to go, there's a road from Cambria, Rt. 41, that's a pleasant rural 2 lane road that I've driven from Yosemite that will take you to Wawona and save backtracking. Yosemite Valley is still spectacular, with or without falls.
Jul 30th, 2015, 08:29 PM
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September isn't "waterfall season" anyway - they are fed by snowmelt, so even in a year with high snowpack, the waterfalls will be done by then. That said, there is A LOT more to Yosemite than waterfalls. It's a spectacular place.
Jul 30th, 2015, 11:15 PM
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Wawona wouldn't be my first choice of locations to stay in Yosemite. Even without the falls going I'd choose Yosemite Valley.
As mentioned there is more to Yosemite than the falls and if they are important then you want to come in spring.
Utahtea
As mentioned there is more to Yosemite than the falls and if they are important then you want to come in spring.
Utahtea
Jul 31st, 2015, 12:26 AM
#5
There would never be any waterfalls of consequence in September (except some in the very high back country) - drought or no drought.
September is a terrific time in YNP -- but not if you are expecting green and falls. Autumn is nice and especially because the crowds are down.
Wawona isn't the best area to stay vs. in the Valley itself - but even more so w/ the Grove closed for the next year. It is more than an hour from Yosemite Village.
So I'd either book something IN Yosemite Valley (or at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal) . . . or . . . add the extra time to the coast. You really don't have much time there at all.
September is a terrific time in YNP -- but not if you are expecting green and falls. Autumn is nice and especially because the crowds are down.
Wawona isn't the best area to stay vs. in the Valley itself - but even more so w/ the Grove closed for the next year. It is more than an hour from Yosemite Village.
So I'd either book something IN Yosemite Valley (or at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal) . . . or . . . add the extra time to the coast. You really don't have much time there at all.
Jul 31st, 2015, 02:50 AM
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Others covered the waterfall "problem". You weren't going to have that anyway. And your choice of staying.
I consider Yosemite a true wonder of the world. It would always be worthwhile to me to see it. It isn't ALL waterfalls.
I consider Yosemite a true wonder of the world. It would always be worthwhile to me to see it. It isn't ALL waterfalls.
Jul 31st, 2015, 08:10 AM
#7
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Of course it depends on your own interests, but the waterfalls are actually not at all the most important part of Yosemite for me.
The views of the valley are so spectacular and unique. On one trip to Yosemite when our children were small, as we drove into the valley and first caught the amazing views of El Capitan and Half Dome, I heard our 4-year-old in the back seat whispering to himself, "I will never forget this. I will never forget this." It's one of the most touching memories I have, witnessing a young child being amazed at the beauty of the world. I say if the views in Yosemite can impress a 4-year-old boy (a species not generally known for being big on scenery alone), that says something about the place, waterfalls or no waterfalls!
The views of the valley are so spectacular and unique. On one trip to Yosemite when our children were small, as we drove into the valley and first caught the amazing views of El Capitan and Half Dome, I heard our 4-year-old in the back seat whispering to himself, "I will never forget this. I will never forget this." It's one of the most touching memories I have, witnessing a young child being amazed at the beauty of the world. I say if the views in Yosemite can impress a 4-year-old boy (a species not generally known for being big on scenery alone), that says something about the place, waterfalls or no waterfalls!
Jul 31st, 2015, 08:26 AM
#8
I agree with everyone else. Don't skip Yosemite. I'd try to find alternative lodging though. As stated, Wawona is a long drive from the Valley, and therefore even further from the "high" part of the Park.
NorCalif, that IS an amazing view! It always surprises me that there isn't a constant trail of accidents at that point in the road!
NorCalif, that IS an amazing view! It always surprises me that there isn't a constant trail of accidents at that point in the road!
Jul 31st, 2015, 10:10 AM
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NorCalif, what a great story!!!
That being said, I used to have relatives in Mariposa so had the luxury of visiting Yosemite at all times of the year. Summer, even late summer, is my least favorite time in the park...it's crowded, dry and often very hot.
My favorite time is May. Or winter.
That being said, I used to have relatives in Mariposa so had the luxury of visiting Yosemite at all times of the year. Summer, even late summer, is my least favorite time in the park...it's crowded, dry and often very hot.
My favorite time is May. Or winter.
Jul 31st, 2015, 12:03 PM
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What a great kid!!
My story of Yosemite is that as we were up on El Capitan, walking from the parking lot, a small man in dark clothes passed us going down. We enjoyed the view--and noticed a large view camera set up on one place with an Asian woman keeping watch.
I am a photographer (amateur and appreciator) and several days later I thought--THAT was Ansel Adams we passed (this was in 1979). I truly think it was.
We had such a wonderful visit there with our family--staying on the Merced in a tent cabin and then later in Tuolumne Meadows in another tent cabin. Never to be forgotten. It is a treasure to see it.
My story of Yosemite is that as we were up on El Capitan, walking from the parking lot, a small man in dark clothes passed us going down. We enjoyed the view--and noticed a large view camera set up on one place with an Asian woman keeping watch.
I am a photographer (amateur and appreciator) and several days later I thought--THAT was Ansel Adams we passed (this was in 1979). I truly think it was.
We had such a wonderful visit there with our family--staying on the Merced in a tent cabin and then later in Tuolumne Meadows in another tent cabin. Never to be forgotten. It is a treasure to see it.
Jul 31st, 2015, 12:22 PM
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I'll say it again: "If you don't go to Yosemite when you have a chance, you'll regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but SOON -- and for the rest of your life."
I've been to 58 national parks in my decades of travels, and Yosemite is near the top of my favorites -- even though I've visited it in August, when there were barely trickles going over any of the falls.
I've been to 58 national parks in my decades of travels, and Yosemite is near the top of my favorites -- even though I've visited it in August, when there were barely trickles going over any of the falls.
Jul 31st, 2015, 12:25 PM
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I'm a native Californian, but I was almost 30 the first time I visited Yosemite. I'd been to a lot of places in CA, but Yosemite just wasn't one of them. It wasn't high on my list because it always seemed so over-hyped - and that's probably why our family never went there when I was a kid. Plus my dad hates crowds in the woods. So one year, my husband and I went on a trip to Yosemite that some friends organized, and stayed at Tenaya Lodge. My first view of Yosemite Valley was from Tunnel View, driving in on Hwy 41 the first day. I had no idea that view was coming - I think we almost crashed coming out of that tunnel trying to pull over at the vista point, but I don't know because none of us was looking at the road. I remember standing at the lookout thinking "This place is so NOT over-hyped - it would be impossible to over-hype this place." That trip was in November and lack of waterfalls didn't hamper my enjoyment one bit.
Jul 31st, 2015, 01:48 PM
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For those curious about NovemberMoon's experience, here's video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuOir..._ATrkuS3nbHB_A
And note that the video does NOT capture the grandeur of the view, simply because it's not in 3-D.
> I think we almost crashed coming out of that tunnel
> trying to pull over at the vista point,
> but I don't know because none of us was looking at the road
That was close to the experience of my wife and I when we came out of the Wawona Tunnel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuOir..._ATrkuS3nbHB_A
And note that the video does NOT capture the grandeur of the view, simply because it's not in 3-D.
> I think we almost crashed coming out of that tunnel
> trying to pull over at the vista point,
> but I don't know because none of us was looking at the road
That was close to the experience of my wife and I when we came out of the Wawona Tunnel.
Jul 31st, 2015, 02:55 PM
#16
I think late September is actually a nice time to visit Yosemite. The weather is still good and the children are back in school.
Bridal Veil and Nevada Falls are year round.
I would not stay in Wawona, however. It's worthwhile to stay in the Valley, even if that means Camp Curry.
Bridal Veil and Nevada Falls are year round.
I would not stay in Wawona, however. It's worthwhile to stay in the Valley, even if that means Camp Curry.
Jul 31st, 2015, 03:20 PM
#17
re Paul's link . . . this one is similar but spends less time IN the tunnel and more time at the overlook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN9CK788vu0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN9CK788vu0
Jul 31st, 2015, 08:30 PM
#19
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This is why I love this site. I can think I have my mind made up about something and then have it completely changed by what I read on here. I live for moments like the one several of you described having at tunnel view. That is one of the true joys of traveling. And I AM concerned about never having the chance to get back there, and regretting it.
Waterfalls were never the most important thing. I think I was actually more disappointed about Mariposa Grove. Regardless, we have decided to continue with our original plan to visit Yosemite and will also look for lodging in the valley.
Thank you all for taking the time to respond.
Waterfalls were never the most important thing. I think I was actually more disappointed about Mariposa Grove. Regardless, we have decided to continue with our original plan to visit Yosemite and will also look for lodging in the valley.
Thank you all for taking the time to respond.
Aug 1st, 2015, 01:07 PM
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euclid, that's what I love about this site - you asked, you got thoughtful answers, and you made your decision based on those answers! Too often people ask for advice, and then completely ignore what people say LOL.
