volvo80

Hi there,

I plan to visit Yosemite National Park around the mid of February next year.

My trip will start from Las Vegas for 2 nights ( including Grand Canyon West Rim), Death Valley (one night in Beatty, Mammoth Lake (one night), June Lake, Yosemite Valley(2 nights) and will end at San Francisco (3 nights).

Apart from Tioga Pass and route 108 which will be closed from Nov till the end of winter, any routes in the area of Mammoth Lake and Yosemite that will close during that season? Will Wawona Road still open?

I also would like to ask you guys that any major sites (ie. Glacier Point) that will inaccessible in Feb?

Do you have any recommend winter activities? They are group of 6 retired aunties and me (25 y.o. grandson) as a driver. They love sightseeing, taking photos, enjoy some easy to moderate walking trails, etc. I am somewhat having no idea how could I arrange the trip for their most pleasant.

I am looking forward hearing from you guys.

Thanks in advance

janisj

>>Apart from Tioga Pass and route 108 which will be closed from Nov till the end of winter, any routes in the area of Mammoth Lake and Yosemite that will close during that season? >I also would like to ask you guys that any major sites (ie. Glacier Point) that will inaccessible in Feb?

sallytakemyhand

Take the time from Yosemite and go to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. The west rim isn't part of the national park. And the Grand Canyon needs to be more than just part of your 2-day stay in Las Vegas.

janisj

I agree -- do the south rim -- definitely not the west rim.

How experienced are you driving in mountain snow - and will this be a rental car? If so, you are not allowed to put chains on 99+% of rental cars.

If I were you, I'd spend the time in Vegas, at the Grand Canyon and maybe Zion, and then fly to San Francisco.

PaulRabe

I consider Yosemite one of the most beautiful places on this planet: but I would NOT recommend your itinerary in February. If your grandson has never driven mountain roads in winter before, then this trip could LITERALLY be suicidal.

JanisJ is definitely giving you good advice.

MichelleY

Agree. Go to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and spend a few nights. Cut out Mammoth and June Lake. It will be iced over and no hiking, unless you go snow shoeing.

janisj

And to clarify (if necessary) I meant only only Yosemite Valley and Badge Pass ski area would be accessible.

k_marie

If you are going to Death Valley NP, why not stay IN the park? A few weeks ago, we did stop in Beatty but we very happy that we had decided to spend several nights in the park at the Ranch at Furnace Creek. Dining choice were limited, and some find them expensive, but we saw nothing in Beatty that we would have preferred.

You mention that your aunties are retired. Does one of them have the Senior Pass for the national parks? For a one-time cost ($10, I think), a US citizen or permanent resident 62 or over gets lifetime free admission to the national parks along with the other occupants of the (non-commercial) vehicle.

volvo80

I do appreciate for all useful comments.

I would change my plan into:

Las Vegas - Hoover Dam - Grand Canyon West Skywalk - Grand Canyon South - Monument Valley - Antelope Canyon - Zion National Park - Las Vegas.

Then I will take flight from Las Vegas to Fresno and take R140 to Yosemite before finish the trip at San Francisco. My aunties they do prefer to visit Yosemite.

Is this possible?

The other question is that since most of car rental company prohibit the use of snow chain. However, I must have it in the car regarding state law. How and Where can I rent the snow chain if I pick up the car in Fresno and return in San Francisco?

volvo80

And for those who concern about my driving skills on snow.

As a Bangkokian, I have to admit that I use to experience driving in snow condition only twice in my life. One in Queenstown (NZ). The other in Cappadocia (Turkey).

I am really appreciate for your recommends.

janisj

>> How and Where can I rent the snow chain if I pick up the car in Fresno and return in San Francisco?>Las Vegas - Hoover Dam - Grand Canyon West Skywalk - Grand Canyon South - Monument Valley - Antelope Canyon - Zion National Park - Las Vegas Hoover Dam > South Rim one night > Antelope Canyon > Monument Valley one night > Zion two nights > Vegas, fly to Fresno pick up car and drive to YNP.

volvo80

Dear Janisj,

I will have 14-15 nights in total of my trip.
I plan to spend 5 nights in Banff before fly to Las Vegas.
Therefore, I will have about 9-10 nights to explore the US.
Thanks very much for your advice. I agree with you since I read through hundreds of tour itineraries. They seem to use Grand Canyon Skywalk as the Grand Canyon iconic. I do agree with you that this is TOO touristy.

MichelleY

Skip the Skywalk and go straight to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You may want to drop something in between to visit Bryce Canyon. I wish you could add more time in order to pace yourself better. One night stops get very tiring.

You are a good grandson!

PaulRabe

I agree 100% with MichelleY & Janis about the West Rim of the GC.

To walk on the Skywalk costs $71 PER PERSON -- PLUS TAX!!
http://tickets.hualapaitourism.com/w...ExternalID=PUC
And that's for a ONE DAY visit.
This does, however, include a meal.

If two of the people in your van are U.S. citizens and at least 62, then your cost to see the South Rim is ZERO. If you are not U.S. citizens, but want to visit the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Yosemite; then the cost is $80 for a YEAR-LONG pass covering admission to EVERY place administered by the federal government (Park Service, Forest Service, and Bureau Land Management).
Note, however, that this does not include a meal.
Note also that both Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon are in Navajo Territory, and thus this pass does NOT apply.

volvo80

Thanks all.

Do you guys have any ideas which car rental company should I use?

At this point, I am looking at Chev Tahoe or Suburban from Avis.

As I look through all reviews, it seems like all companies have mix pros and cons. In Bangkok, Avis seems to have older fleet compared with Sixt, Budget. However, Sixt appears to be the new player in the US market. So im not sure whether I could trust them or not.

Really have no idea which one should I choose.

lynni

For the number of people you are talking about, you will need the Surburban, no question.

sludick

I've never heard of Sixt. Both Budget and Avis are major car rental companies in the U.S.

janisj

>>I've never heard of Sixt