3 days at Yosemite...things to do ?
 

We will be making our first trip to Yosemite in June, in the middle of a week. We are a couple in early 50's and will be traveling with our 22 yr old son. We have bookings to stay at the Wawona hotel. We will be driving there from San Jose.

We expect to reach Yosemite on Day 1 at about noon, and we have to leave on the afternoon of Day 3 to drive back to San Jose. Please guide us on how to spend the 3 days in Yosemite, keeping in mind our lodging location (Wawona). We don't mind easy hikes, but anything more than 2 hours would be difficult on our bodies, as we are not accomp-lished hikers.

Thanks in advance !

Before I answer your question, I'll have to get something straight. You're staying in Wawona (near where we stayed) and you plan to "reach Yosemite on Day 1 about noon." Does this mean you plan to arrive in the Valley at about noon, and then spend the night at Wawona? Or does that mean you plan to arrive at Wawona at about noon, without going through the Valley? Or something else.

I should mention that the main thing to do in Yosemite Valley is to look around and be amazed that any place so beautifully awe-inspiring could exist on this planet.

We are going at the end or May for our first time as well.

See the Maripossa Grove-either by foot or tram

See Glacier Point-either in your car or on a bus tour

See all the sights in the Valley-waterfalls,half dome, el cap, etc

We like to eat somewhere good at night and we generally have a picnic each afternoon. Have one @ Maripossa, Glacier Point, and the Valley.

Check out a Visitor Center, or Ansel Adams Gallery

Have a meal in The Awahnee and Wawona

Go for a couple of short hikes. We plan to do several long ones. you might consider doing a portion of the mist trail. You can do a short hike to Yosemite Falls, more of a walk-not a hike.

Maybe see Hetch Hetchy, Tuolomne Grove, or drive Tioga Road and see Tuolomne Meadows.

I would put Tuolumne Meadows on your itinerary, stopping at Olmstead Point for the veiw.

Tuolumne Meadows is a different world than the Valley Floor. There are a couple of beautiful, very easy hikes across the meadow that are really worth it.

I recommend renting bikes and touring the valley on the bike paths, which can be done in 2 -3 hours. Because the valley floor is flat, it's really not strenuous - if two middle-aged somewhat out-of-shape folks like DH and I can do it, I think most reasonably healthy people wouldn't have a problem. It's a great way to cover a lot of territory and view the spectacular scenery at your own pace. We didn't get tired, because we kept stopping to gawk and take pictures. You can rent bikes at the Lodge. They're not at all fancy, but they work!

With such a short trip, I would focus on the Valley and the south end of the park rather than heading up to the high country. Just a matter of time available.

If this were my trip, I'd do something like this:

Day 1: Enter Yosemite at the south entrance (Hwy 41), see Mariposa Grove and the Wawona area in the afternoon. Check into the lodging later in the afternoon.

Day 2: Head down to Yosemite valley with a detour to Glacier Point. When you get down to the valley, rent bikes and explore. If biking isn't your thing, then I'd take the open-air tram tour and then do a small hike later on, maybe to Mirror Lake. Get a picnic lunch before you head out so you can have lunch at which ever picturesque spot you are in when you are hungry - I personally like someplace along the Merced River.

Day 3: Go back to Yosemite Valley and check out the visitors center, Ansel Adams gallery, and the Ahwanee hotel - have lunch at the Awhanee before heading back to San Jose, leaving by way of the Arch Rock entrance (Hwy 140).

I think this plan would allow you to see a lot without rushing through - give you time to stop and enjoy.

You might also want to check what ranger walks/programs are going on while you are there. These are usually published in a newspaper you receive as you enter the park but you may be able to find this information online. Also, when the Truckee river is optimal you can raft down it -- a very pleasant, enjoyable ride. I'm not sure what months the rafting is available, but you might want to check this out.

Have a great trip!

PaulRabe, we intend to drive to the South entrance on Day 1, and enter from there. So I guess we will go and check into Wawona. Probably be advisable to spend that half day in that part of Yosemite, and give a full day to the Valley sights on Day 2. Maybe Tuolumne Meadows area on Day 3.

DW does not know how to ride a bike, so biking is out. It would have to be walking on foot, driving, or using shuttle buses/trams etc.

My husand celebrated his 50th BD in Yosemite..we all age groups. The best & most enjoyed by all was the tram.. the tour shows you all kinds of things you would not see/know on your own..

Great advice about picnic lunches,tram tours, and various excellent sights. Please keep the advice flowing.

Is there much to see in the Wawona area (aside from Mariposa Grove), or should we try to squeeze in Mirror Lake on Day 1 itself ?

Since you're arriving at Wawona by Hiway 41 at about noon on Day 1, spend the entire rest of the day in that area. There's history lessons, some wildlife, and the Mariposa Grove. It'll easily take a day.

Start early on Day 2 -- you'll need it. As you leave the tunnel going into Yosemite Valley, make certain you don't forget that you're driving a car before you pull over to view this incredibly scene. I am NOT joking -- when you leave the tunnel and enter The Valley, you'll feel like Dorothy entering the Land of Oz.

Hike info for this area:
www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm
www.yosemite.national-park.com/hike.htm#fav

You'll need an entire day to drive to all the wonderful viewpoints and short hikes in the Valley. Do NOT neglect a drive up to Glacier Point, one of those rare places where your brain will have difficulty accepting that what the eyes are seeing is real.

A drive up to Tuolumne Meadows would be a good day three. Be willing to stop at the numerous viewpoints along the way. Again, there are several short hikes at and on the way to TM.
www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmhikes.htm
www.yosemite.national-park.com/hike.htm#tuo

A good summation of hikes is at this PDF:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisi...trailheads.pdf

I would definitely stick to the south end of the park for Day 1. Getting to Yosemite Valley will take you about 45 min to 1 hour from Wawona so going there on the 1st day would add a lot of driving without much extra sightseeing time. Better to spend your time seeing the south end of the park rather than driving back and forth.

And one correction - the river that runs through Yosemite Valley is the Merced. The Truckee river empties out of Lake Tahoe.

Mirror Lake is not the picturesque spot it once was. Silt from the river has filled it in. It might be a nice hike for you though.

Thanks PaulRabe, your links are excellent....very useful.

Thanks everyone for your help. Great inputs.

Just to chime in, we stayed at Wawona Hotel for 4 nights in October. Great location, we really enjoyed the drive in the valley each day. Just a couple of things re the hotel. I guess like a lot of places in Yosemite, there are no tv's, no phones in the rooms and no internet connection and the rooms themselves are in a real need of an update. But having said that, we LOVED it. The highlight for us each night (once we got used to no tv :-) ) was to sit in the lounge each night having a drink and listening to the resident piano player.

Now, one night, he offered to give a 'slide show' on the history of the hotel. Gotta say we both cringed and remembered slide nights with our grandparents. But leaving would have been really obvioius, so we ordered another drink and stayed. Just a wonderful night. I guess mostly cause you feel part of the history, as you are sitting in the hotel but watching these beautiful old movies and slides.

Just one more thing, we found the food in the restaurant to be average at best. Picnics would be a great idea. We did dine at Awahnee one night, which was better, albeit quite expensive.

Hope it helps a bit.

AD

Just to add my 2 cents worth for your planning. I will give you some time frames. Everyone is right about staying in the Wawona area the first day and visiting the Big trees. Take the tram so you will get the narrative. I believe you can still get on and off the tram for up close viewing of trees. You are only about 20 minutes from Fish Camp if you want to eat at the Tenaya Lodge instead of Wawona.
The second day get up early and drive to Glacier Point to watch the sunrise (or wait till your return late in the day to be there around sunset). Allow at least an hour to hang out and take in the awesome views from Glacier. It will take about 30 to 40 minutes to get up there from Wawona, then you can head down into the valley. (Another approx. 40 to 50 minutes from Glacier Point to valley) Once on the valley floor, you will get the most out of your one day by taking the tram with narration by ranger. Plus you will both be able to take in the views together. Then if you would like to try some short hikes/walks you will still have time. Plus you would have time for late lunch/dinner at the Ahwahnee if you so desired. PB&J sandwich there is about $9 hehehe. But the hotel is worth seeing and it is fun to eat there.
If you are going home on the third day you might have time for Tuolmune Meadows but keep in mind it takes about 3 hours from Wawona to get to Tuolumne Meadows and then you must drive back (at least 2 hours) to head to San Jose and you can decide whether to take Hwy 120 home or Hwy 140 home. both are very scenic. Hope this helps a bit.