Shanti

Hi Everybody,

I've been planning on going to Yosemite next week. Original plan was to watch the weather and make a last minute reservation as there are plenty of available rooms at the Yosemite Lodge. And it's a lot less expensive than during the summer. My daughter and her fiance knew about the Yosemite trip and for Christmas gave me a prepaid and nonrefundable two day stay in Groveland that has to be used by the end of February. So I look at mapquest and it's an almost 50 mile drive each way on 140 - so it's long and I've heard some interesting things about driving on 140 during the winter (e.g. it's terrifying).

Does anybody have anything encouraging to say about staying in Groveland for a couple nights and driving back and worth to Yosemite?

janisj

"Does anybody have anything encouraging to say about staying in Groveland for a couple nights and driving back and worth to Yosemite?"

Nope (not in January anyway)

It is just about 50 miles from Groveland to Yosemite Village and easily 90 minutes each way if the weather is OK.

Is it possible to stay in Yosemite next week and take a weekend in Feb to stay in Groveland? You could use it as a base to visit Sonora, Columbia, etc.

Suzie

Isn't Groveland on 120 and not 140? El Portal is along 140. 140 would be the easier route. Groveland to Yosemite Valley via 120 is 50 miles but I wouldn't say it's terrifying at all.

janisj

not terrifying IMO - but definitely winding w/ switchbacks and grades.

Shanti

Oops. I transposed the numbers. It's on 120 (not 140) and I've read a few bad things about driving 120 during the winter - that it's icy and there's some steep dropoffs.

Suzie

120 on Tioga Road is a different matter and that could be what they were talking about., though you can't really drive on that section of road in the winter since it's closed. I don't recall 120 being scary from Groveland to the Valley. I get car sick easily too and I never had a problem with that section.

november_moon

I've only driven Hwy 120 between Groveland and Yosemite in the spring and fall - never winter. I do believe that the elevation of that road is significantly higher than Hwy 140 though, so I would be concerned about snow and ice if we get a storm. If the weather is clear though, then no problem.

janisj

"I don't recall 120 being scary from Groveland to the Valley. I get car sick easily too and I never had a problem with that section."

I drove 120 last March -- and I love mountain driving. But parts of it are very twisty, there are steep grades and some switchbacks that will worry white knuckle folks . . .

definitely not a 'walk in the park'

Suzie

I know there is some area before Groveland like the new priest grade - that seem a little much but I guess I don't remember the part between Groveland and the valley that way.

When I'm not sure if a road will bother me I go to Google Maps and place the little man on the road and take the trip via the little man. It helps to know what to expect.

Shanti

Wow, I never knew about the little man on Google maps. How did I miss this?

Unfortunately, there's no data for much of 120 east of Groveland, although using the little man is helpful for part of the road closer to Yosemite.

BriWri

So, as a shameless plug for Yosemite...

I work and live in the park. While I do love Groveland (lots to do and see there), winter in Yosemite is absolutely magical. AND...if you are planning on doing any skiing or snowboarding at Badger Pass, if you stay in the park at the Yosemite Lodge, The Ahwahnee or Curry Village, you can get a Stay and Play pass that includes a lift ticket, rentals, a group lesson, a tubing session, a valley floor tour and an ice skating session at Curry Village ice rink for only $35. It's a steal!
So, just my two cents...

HotelCharlotte

Hello Shanti,
First, let me admit to some bias, I am an innkeeper in Groveland, though not likely the one you have the stay with as we don't expire our gift certificates. But I can assure you that Groveland receives many visitors through out the year who's destination is Yosemite. The Highway 120 route is lovely and no more curvy than any of the others. Highway 120 elevates through Crane Flat to nearly 7,000 feet, so winter can sometimes offer us the challenge of needing chains if it is snowing, but if it is snowing, you are likely to need chains on any of the entrances.

West of Groveland is a bit of a curvy climb called Priest Grade, and it isn't because you are praying the whole way up, that just happend to be the last name of the people who owned the toll both stop, hotel and restaurant at the top of the hill. Its an edgy ride, but winter doesn't have much difference on the road, it's elevation is only 2500 feet or so.

Allow me a moment to share a differing opinion on staying inside vs. outside the park. Natural sites are one thing and Yosemite is absolutely one of the best in the world with all its visual wonders. But another part of travel has to do with meeting people from other places. Groveland and small lodging properties offer this far beyond that which any 1000+ room corporation can do.

Enjoy it all, stay in a small place, meet many interesting people from all over the world, participate in an impromptu jam guitar/piano session in the lobby, have a fellow from Australia teach you how to play the spoons, sing Karaoke without the word machine... Visitors who stay outside the park enjoy far greater amenities at far less the cost and daily visits to Yosemite.... Now that's an experience you will remember the rest of your life.

So often travel forum boards are focused on the convenience issues of travel: closest, biggest, fastest, most scenic and so on, ignoring one of the most intriguing facets of leaving home, the meeting of new people, fresh ideas and sharing of cultures and traditions. All of which are done far more successfully in the smaller towns and intimate lodging properties. IMHO

Have a fantastic trip, whether you decide to stay in Yosemite Valley or Groveland. Lynn

Shanti

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. It turns out the lodging only had a mailing address in Groveland and it actually is located 18 miles east of Groveland, so it was only 5 miles west of the entrance to Yosemite. So it was a bit of a drive to Yosemite Valley, but it was a very scenic drive. I didn’t think that any portion of Highway 120 was difficult to drive in decent weather but I’d avoid Priest Grade during rainy or – heaven forbid – snowy weather.

Yosemite was achingly and stunningly beautiful. We lucked out in that we arrived after there had been a lot of snow, but it was relatively dry while we were there – only a bit of rain that started around 2:00 one afternoon.

The disadvantages of a winter visit: 1) The weather – it was COLD when we were there and 2) The weather could be a lot worse than just cold. I would imagine it would be a lousy experience to be there during a storm - which can happen a lot during the winter. 3) Driving conditions might be challenging. We were lucky in that driving conditions weren’t too bad. There was some old snow and ice but nothing really stressful – and I say that as someone who has only driven in snow/ice one other time over the past few decades. (However, that other time also was in Yosemite on Highway 120 and was a terrible driving experience.) 4) A lot of the park is closed. 5) There are limited hiking opportunities – for example, the path to Bridalveil Falls is about 2,000 feet long and is extremely easy and very crowded during warmer weather. Last week, there were only a few other people on the walk – but almost all of the path was solid ice and it’s on an incline. We almost made it all the way but had to give up before reaching the end. We had similar problems on the path to lower Yosemite Falls. Although this path is flat, it also was snowy at first and then became icy. We turned around after we got to the scenic overlook and didn’t try to make it all the way to the falls.

The advantages of a winter visit – 1) if you get there at the right time as we did – it is jaw dropping beautiful. Personally, I think it’s much more beautiful in the winter than during warmer weather. Both Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls were flowing, with ice around both falls and a snow cone at the base of Yosemite Falls. Add in snow covered cliffs and meadows and it looks – sorry if this sounds trite – like an enchanted winterscape. 2) It’s empty. Not only were there no crowds, most of the time there were only a few other people around. 3) Most lodging is much less expensive. 4) There’s plenty to do even with most of the park and many of the trails being off-limits. And if you snowshoe and/or cross country ski, there’s even more that you can do during a winter visit.

MichelleY

Thanks for reporting back on your winter trip!!