elnap29

As backpackers/campers, I once took my kids to Yosemite, staying in Curry Tent Cabins. After 1 night, I was begging the reservationists to find me anything else. (We could hear every moan, snore, whimper, baby crying...only inches from us). We spent the rest of our stay in a Curry Cabin with bath; it was extremely rustic but great compared to tent cabins. Recently we enjoyed Yosemite Lodge.
Do call the reservation line again; there are always cancellations. When you arrive, pick up the Park Guide - it will fully describe the hikes and the length of time they take so you can plan your days. Don't rule out evening hikes if you have enough light - fewer crowds. Also enjoy the free shuttle around the park.
Also, we enjoy the drive up to Tuolumne Meadow area and hike to Elizabeth Lake. You will see few people and the ones you do see are different than the Valley visitors.

J_Correa

Evenning hikes along the river are one of my favorite things - there are trails all along there. I love seeing the granite cliffs from different vantage points, walking around meadows, and so forth. Nothing strenuous, just a nice stroll and it is amazing how few people you run into.

KeeKeePMR

We stayed at Tenaya Lodge 2 summers ago..it was great. The restaurants onsite are very good, too. Mariposa Grove is right there, Glacier Point about 30 miles and Yosemite Valley a little further. The drive is beautiful all thru there so we never minded it...Have a great 10th!

jy

doogs-
congrats on your upcoming 10th anniversary! check out breakfast at the ahwahnee -- it's much cheaper than dinner and the pastries are awesome!! not so good before a long hike, but a fantastic way to end your trip before you drive out of the park. btw half dome is doable as a day hike as long as you start early and bring a lot of water!

enzian

Ditto on the water---we carried 3 liters apiece, and had only a little left to give away to thirsty hikers on the way down. As for an early start---unless you want to walk the extra mile or so (each way) from the last parking lot, you are limited by the timing of the hiker's shuttle. The first one leaves Curry at 7:00 am. By the time we loaded the bus, drove up to Happy Isles, unloaded, and (ahem) used the restrooms before starting out, it was 7:45 when we hit the trail. Earlier would have been nice. Also, although this did not happen to us, we have heard that there can be so many people that there are waits of an hour to so at the bottom of the cables.

Best advice is just to carry a flashlight or headlamp in case it taks longer than you think it will. It is a great hike---there are few things like it in the world.

Trisha37

Awesome idea for a trip. We traveled there 3 years ago and stayed at Evergreen Lodges. They were rustic, but quaint and the price was right. The lodges are outside the park, about 10 minutes. Neat place...I also agree about not staying in Curry Village. Too rustic for me. Also, Glacier Point is one of the most beautiful sites of your life!!!
Enjoy!!

baseballfan

Here's a tip for staying in Curry Village. Since it is bear country and all food and toiletries should be placed in a bear box take a pad lock with you, and maybe ribbon to mark your bear box. They are located next to the parking lot and all look alike. Do not leave anything in your car, bears can smell and see into cars and are not worried about breaking in. Happy 10th.

enzian

Good tip---but it's not just that food and toiletries "should" be placed in a bear box; they must be. Yosemite is working very hard to address the "bear problem", and one aspect is that you cannot leave any food or toiletries in your car or tent (including tent cabins). If you are staying in Curry Village, you are assigned a locking bear box; you don't have to use the ones in the parking lot. When you check in, you are given a warning sheet to read and initial, indicating that you have read the rules and understand, and that failure to comply may result in a citation.

When we walked through the parking lot on our way to the early morning hiking shuttle, we passed a mini-van that had been broken into during the night. The back window was broken, and two ice chests pulled out and opened, with food and trash stewn about. And on the windshield was a bright yellow citation.

When I was there a few years ago, they had a blackboard behind the front desk where they "kept score", announcing the number of cars broken into the previous night. This past summer, the blackboard was gone. Hopefully that is a sign that the system is working. Or maybe they just didn't think it was funny any more.

Anyway, it's nothing to worry about. But if you are staying in the tent cabins, just be sure you pack so that your toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) can be packed up and placed in the bear locker before you go to bed.

doogs

Thanks everyone - if anyone checks this again. You've been a huge help. I might try to change our reservation...checking to see if there are any cancellations occasionally. If we end up in Curry - we're bringing earplugs and making the best of it! And making sure our toothpaste is properly stored. Thanks again.

J_Correa

Not in Yosemite but elsewhere in the Sierras, we had a bear break into our tent once while we were out and about. We had been very careful to store our food properly - BUT - it turned out that someone (not me) had forgotten a raspberry tea bag in a pocket in a backpack. The bear smelled it and went looking. Absolutely nuts. So definitely store your toothpaste properly

Trisha37

We stayed at Evergreen Lodge several years ago. Fun, campy type place and very close to the park!

DebitNM

Thrisha this post is a year old. Think the trip is over for doogs, but perhaps your reply will help someone else. Don't count on doogs replying, though

Sorry! I didn't see you were new here and probably haven't gotten the ropes figured out here.

Welcome! We look forward to hearing from you with both questions and answers.
Deb