I will be traveling to Lake Tahoe (June 28 to July 1) and Yosemite National Park (July 1 to July 2). I will be with my family (a total of 6 adults, two of them senior citizens). We woulk like to make the most out of our short stay at Yosemite. We plan to leave Lake Tahoe early in the morning and travel to Yosemite taking route 120.
¿What are the places not to miss in that short visit to Yosemite?
¿What are the fun things to do,at Yosemite, taking into account the senior citizens (they are used to walking but not used to climbing)?

First review the Yosemite Guide from last year since this year's July thru August version is not yet out. It has loads of information but alot of it has the valley as the starting point when you'll be coming in from the east on 120.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/yg09-5.pdf

I also like the 08 Yosemite Guide, page 12 or so, that has ideas on how to visit the park when you have only a limited number of days:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/yg08-2.pdf

Don't really want to rain on your plans . . but as of today there is still no estimated opening date for Tioga Pass. It definitely could be open by July 1, but they haven't cleared enough to post any updates.

In ideal conditions that is a 4.5 to 5 hour drive w/o any stops. And it is pretty likely that you won't have ideal conditions - even if the road is open. By the time you'd get to Yosemite Valley it will be well after lunch time and the park will be packed.

The shuttle buses (which are great and get you just about everywhere) will be full and parking will be very difficult.

Where are you staying? If in the Valley - you will get a parking permit. Otherwise, you may not find any places to park near the main sites/views. The shuttle buses will take you to all the main points of interest.

If you are staying in the Valley - you have to factor in checking in and getting your parking pass before you can go out to see anything. In March - it took me nearly 30 minutes to check in and get my car moved to an allowed space. On July 1 it could take you and hour or more just to check in to your accommodations.

darn - hit Submit by mistake. Anyway -- you will likely have very little free time on the 1st. Where are you going on the 2nd? How much time do you have that day before you have to leave the Park?

Because early AM is a good time to see some of the sites before they get crowded. The shuttles start at 0700.

I think you can easily avoid climbing in Yosemite - if I'd had to go up a hill I would certainly remember. The road to Yosemite falls is slightly up - maybe a couple of degrees - but this was a pleasant walk.

There are free shuttles to take you to all areas of the park.

On TA the people in the know (live in or around Yosemite) are estimating a Tioga Pass opening not this weekend but by the following. It's been fully plowed they are doing some avalanch controls and road repair. Snow levels have risen to over 13,000 feet so doesn't seem like an issue for possible new snow.

Food for thought.

"called Yosemite park today. the tioga pass is not yet opened due to avalanche threat, and they can't say if it will open this weekend but they're hoping for about 2nd week of june. of course, everything was open-ended. check everyday for an update."

Yeah - more than likely the road will be open but they are still posting "no estimated date" on the website, so just have a Plan B to cover "what if's".

But the rest of my post are still issues to consider. If you are at Tahoe on July 1st -- you will not also have much time in Yosemite Valley on July 1st. Logistically - and assuming you are staying in the Valley, count that if you can get on the road by 8AM at S. Lake Tahoe, you won't be actually touring the Valley sites until about 3PM. And that is if you are lucky and don't stop at any of the hundred photo ops on 395/120.

This may seem a weird idea -- But I'd consider leaving SLT the late afternoon on June 30 and stay the night in Lee Vining. Then you just have to cover 120 into the park. Lee Vining to Yosemite Village is still about a 2.5 hour drive but at least you get most of a day in the Valley.

If you leave Tahoe at 8 am you'd get to Lee Vining by 10:30 am. Leaving Lee Vining with a picnic lunch from Whoa Nellie Deli by 11:00 you'd be in the valley by 1:00. Here's a chart with drive times for Yosemite.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisi...ages9-2007.pdf


July 1 daylight will linger quite late, until at least 8:30 -9:00. Even if you didn't get to the valley intil 3:00 you'd still have a good 5 hours of sight seeing available.

The pass opens this weekend !! (open but w/ 15 minute delays)