spirobulldog

I have two nights lodging @ Wawona and one night @ Curry Village Cabin. This is all I could get a few months ago and there is nothing now. So, here is my dilema. Maripossa Grove Road is closed and I had planned on spending my first day there and have dinner reservations for that night @ Wawona. But now that the road is closed, perhaps I should consider driving south From San Jose(thats where we are flying into).
to Montery/ Big Sur and then driving on over to Wawona. Or perhaps spend a day @ Pinnacles NM. My next two days @ Yosemite I had planned on hiking Panorama Trail from Glaicer Point. But Glacier Point Road is closed. It is possible that one or both of these roads might open by this next weekend, but unlikely. The final day I plan on having brunch at Awahnee and then hike Hetch Hetchy/Wapama Falls. I do have part of the next day on the drive back to San Jose. Perhaps the Hite Trail just outside of El Portal entrance. Supposedly, this is peak time for wildflowers there and trail is supposed to be spectacular. Any comments on any of this?

Otis_B_Driftwood

YNP website says the Glacier Point Road may be open Friday, May 21 and Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Weekend but will be otherwise closed during the week until May 28. We are expecting another storm this coming week that could throw a monkey wrench into this scenario. It's impossible to predict.

It also says you can hike into the Mariposa Grove from the South Entrance (4 mile round trip) while the grove road is closed but it very well may be open by then too.

An alternative while staying in Wawona would be to hike up to Chilnualna Falls (8.2 miles rt, strenuous) which should be magnificent right now.

On your last day, you could hike into the Merced Grove of sequoias if you missed the Mariposa Grove. It's about 4 miles rt and you might have it all to yourselves.

If you go to Pinnacles, the best trail imho is the High Peaks-Balconies Cave Loop. This is an 8.4 mile loop and you need to enter the monument at the west entrance (Chaparral). . You will need a flashlight to go through the cave. The other cave, closest to the East Entrance, will be closed when you are there.

Don't get tied down micro managing your trip from afar. Just get into the parks and go with the flow. Yosemite should truly be awesome right now and Pinnacles should be great too since we are having such a late Spring. The condors are something to behold. Bring binoculars if you go.

spirobulldog

Otis, Thanks

I just need to have some idea of what I am doing and it seems I am getting a lot of monkey wrenches. After talking with rangers on the phone it seems doubtful that either road will open. The Mariposa Grove is not closed because of snow, but due to the moisture under the road, thus not supporting the weight of vehicles. But I do have my fingers crossed and hope that everything magically opens this next week.

What are the odds of seeing Condors? We did see one a couple of years ago in Zion at the top of Angels Landing. He wouldn't come out of his tree though. I have never been south of San Fran, but have been north(muir woods, pt reyes). I have been to Sequoia, so perhaps I shouldn't make such an issue on not seeing the trees.

lennyba

Hi spiro - topping for you. We'll be at Curry Village in the middle of next week. A little disappointed that we're too early for Tioga Pass/Tuolumne, but I'm sure we'll find plenty to do.

indiancouple

Just read the above posts, and am worried now. We are due to visit Yosemite on 9th & 10th June, and also have bookings at Wawona. We will also be driving from San Jose. Would these road closures affect our plans ?

spirobulldog

Just my opinion, but I think somewhat likely that all 3 roads will be closesd. I think for sure Tioga would be closed. You can drive to the Wawona, its just the road to the trees a few miles away that they are having problems with due to all the snow. It has so much moisture under the road that the road cannot support the weight of cars. Tioga and Glacier road have a lot of snow on them, but they are plowing them now.

noellev13

wow, spirobulldog..I'll admit, when I read your post, I got a little discouraged because we are going June 12th - 15th and it looks as though the roads may still be closed. If that is the case I will pretend I didn't do all the research I did on The Mariposa Grove or Glacier Point and just focus on the rest which will be so amazing as it is. These things can be letdowns but spiro!!!!! we ARE going to YOSEMITE!!!!

easytraveler

It's going to be a very long day to get into Pinnacles (at least a half hour to an hour from the main road), hike to the top, and then drive to Yosemite! Hope I'm reading this incorrectly!

There is NO through road at Pinnacles.

If you find yourself on the West side, you'll have to skirt the mountain range somehow, either to the north or to the south. Most likely you'll go north on Highway 101 to Highway 152, crossing the state east-west from Gilroy through the Central Valley.

spirobulldog

at least the roads are open at Pinnacles. lol