Had two trips planned for June and July(Rushmore on July 4, and Glacier) and now daughter is having back surgery on June 4, so we will be canceling our plans for the rest of the summer. However, we would like to go somewhere before her surgery. We could fly somewhere on May 20(afternoon flight) and then return on May 25th. Considering Yosemite, Olympic, and Bryce/Utah. Yosemite would be our top pick, but we are concerned that we might not be able to see Glacier Point Road or hike the Panorama Trail, so that sounds somewhat iffy. Olympic has always interested us, but not sure about the weather at that time there. I know we could do Bryce and think we would enjoy it. We have even considered renting an RV for Yosemite or Bryce. Would stay at lodges if we did Olympic. We have been to every National Park in Utah except Bryce. We could add HWY 12/Calf Creek/Cap Reef/Goblin Valley(i have seen these, my wife and daughter haven't). We could try for a permit to hike"the wave". Could do a day and night @ North Rim, could do Rainbow Bridge/Antelope Canyon/Lake Powell for a day. I know we cant do all of these things in Utah, but we could get in 3 or 4 of them. We have always wanted to rent an rv, so this would be just for fun, we know we want be saving any money by doing so.

We have 4 full days we can go somewhere. I do have 3 vouchers that would be nice to use somewhere that Southwest flies(doesn't have to be though).

Any thoughts on these places or any other place. We have been on a National Park kick for 3 or 4 years and would most likely need to include a park in our plans. We do like to see cities, so spending a day in Seattle would be ok. Have been through Vegas enough. Probably wouldn't do anything in Salt Lake, but might take a look at the tabernacle/cathedral.

Right now lodging is available in Bryce, everywhere in Olympic, and limited in Yosemite. If we went the RV route, then I would make sure and get my space reserved on the day they become available.

Daugher has severe scolicis and we have battled this for about 5 years now. She isn't in much pain. She hikes all the time(strenuous hikes), is a terrifc athlete(placed in 3 state running events as a freshman last year), but her curve is to the point that we feel like we must do something. I don't think I would plan anything to wild or strenuous for this trip, however. She will be really down for a few weeks, but probably would be a year before she can attempt anything like we have done in the past, and then again she might not ever want to do the strenuous things like we have done, just have to wait and see how things go.

I could go the weekend after what I have suggested, but that would be Memorial Weekend, and not sure that would be a good time?

I've been to all three of these places, twice apiece. They are just three of the over 200 places I've been to that are administered by the National Parks Service, so I know a few things about national parks.

Yosemite is in my top three of ALL national parks. I'd choose it EASILY.
Although any of these would be just great for anyone.

PaulRabe,

I have been to 21 national parks and not sure how many nps places(probably 30 or so). My wife and daughter have been to all but a couple of them with me. I don't know that I have a favorite, but I do have some least favorites.

Anyway, We would for sure see Mariposa Grove and Wawona area. There is lodging available in Wawona for every night.
We would also see The Valley. I feel that Tioga Road would be close and Glacier Point Road sounds real iffy as well. My daughter would like to hike Half Dome, but I have her talked out of that and into Panorama Trail. I don't think half dome would be open until June 1 and even Panorama Trail you might have to hike from the bottom and then back down because Glacier Point road could be closed. I guess we could just hike The Mist trail if we find a lot closed. The only lodging available in the valley is tent cabins. 1 night in Awahnee is available, but not sure I really want to spend 500 for a night of lodging. Tenr for 100 doesn't sound that great either, as they probably turn the heat off in mid-may according to their webstite. I would probably do the tent, but wife is not to happy about that one.

I invision me doing Yosemite in two trips. First trip to see what I have described above and then a trip that would involve some hut to hut hiking in the Tuolomne area/high county.

I know that weather would be best in Bryce, but Olympic and Yosemite have me worried that I might not be able to see quite all that I want to. Can I find enough to do "in the valley" and Wawonna for 4 days? I don't think rafting will be available until a couple of weeks later than when I am needing to go.

I'd probably go to Bryce and maybe take a trip up to Cedar Breaks or some of the places in Escalante. This will be nice weather in southern Utah. I am probably the only person who thought Yosemite was nice but way too crowded, although the upper areas were closed when we were there so we had to stick to the valley so may have to give it another look but how do you deal with all those people?. The waterfalls are pretty but no nicer than some in Hawaii.

I doubt you'd be able to do much in the mountains of Olympic, so you'd be restricted to the beach and rain forest. Not bad, but I'd save that trip for mid-summer when you can also get in the mountains and see the alpine wildflowers in bloom.

Sounds like there are some closures in Yosemite at that time too. A week later might be better but I'd hate to deal with Memorial Day crowds in that park.

Pretty much leaves you with a combo of Bryce/Cap Reef and whatever else you can fit in. Plenty to choose from there and even though you could get snow at Bryce, it's not going to affect you for 4-5 days in a row so you'd still be able to see what you want to see there.

P.S. to follow up on emalloy's suggestion re: Cedar Breaks. I don't think the road through the park is open until Memorial Day weekend. Might open earlier but all depends on the weather. I wouldn't base any travel plans on visiting CEBR, nice but a half-day trip at best so if the road is still closed it's not a big deal.

Hi spirobulldog---May is one of the best times to visit Yosemite, even if the high country isn't open. The waterfalls are in full glory, everything is green and blooming, and the crowds haven't ramped up yet.

By late May, you will most likely be able to hike up the Yosemite Falls trail, up the Mist Trail/John Muir Trail into Little Yosemite Valley, and possibly the Panorama trail---but this one can be dangerous if thee is still snow around, so they won't open it if that is the case.

I've hiked to the top of Nevada Falls even in early April and found it snow-free.

And some years they do put up the Half Dome cables in May---it just depends on the snow conditions. My kids have done the Half Dome cables in mid-May (I think it was 2006), as well as backpacked in to Merced Lake (which they had all to themselves) for an overnight stay.

Avoid Memorial Day weekend in Yosemite at all cost!!! This year it was a zoo (I know this from the NPS reports, not personal experience).

If the tent cabins at Curry don't appeal to you, maybe rent an RV and camp. Campground reservations for late May open up January 15. Or consider staying outside the Valley and exploring Hetch Hetchy from Evergreen Lodge---my sister stayed there last summer and really liked it. But I think the tent cabins are OK too.

As for Olympic---some of the mountain trails on the east side of the park (Hood Canal side) are open in late May, but these are a LONG drive from the beach areas. Hurricane Ridge is likely still under snow then---I've skied up there in May. On the west side, there are some nice beach hikes (Ozette Loop, Shi Shi beach) as well as the rain forest area, which will be open in May. Dungeness Spit is another nice hike, but all on the level.

But for a 4-5 day visit, and lots of hiking, I'd take Yosemite over ONP any day.

I think it would be nice to see the Rainbows along the mist trail. Is there a certain time of day that this occurs(when the sunlight is at the correct angle)?

There must be, but the last two times we were there it was too early for the sun to reach into that part of the canyon. . . . So no rainbows.

I found one website that says 10 am for rainbows, but of course it depends on the time of year!

If you are taking photos, you'll want to do that at the bottom of the steps---once you start up, it's pretty narrow for stopping/passing, and your camera will get wet!

Yosemite would be my first choice as well. The northern portion may well be closed, but the Mist Trail and Yosemite Falls Trail (to the upper fall and beyond) are both spectacular. In May, you should see peak water flow.

That's not to bad mouth Bryce. I liked Bryce. It makes a great first impression, and has some decent hikes as well. You could easily spend a day and a half there.

If you decide on Bryce, then I wish you luck with The Wave; it sounds interesting to me as well. I'm in the April lottery; if I lose, I'll give the May lottery a try. It's worth noting that the odds are pretty bad - only about a one in ten chance last time I checked.

If you're considering The Wave, then how about Buckskin Gulch? It's in the same area. A day hike of part of the gulch is feasible (weather permitting), and it seems very interesting.

Looks like Yosemite will be our choice. What if I stay at Wawona lodge the entire time. Is that just too far out of the way? I hope to spend a day in the valley, day in mariposa, and hopefully a day hiking down from Glacier Point if it is open. Could do a day rafting or hiking Hetch Hetchy to Wapama. I have free Southwest airline tickets, do I want to fly into San Fran, Oakland, or Sacramento?

When I visited Yosemite for the second time, we stayed at Wawona for two nights and did exactly what you describe. It's a short drive from Wawona to The Valley, so it won't be too much of an inconvenience. Staying in The Valley itself is optimal, but requires a LARGE amount of advance planning.

Small suggestion: if you're staying in Wawona, DON'T visit The Valley at first. Make your first view of the latter as you come out of the tunnel between the two. I guarantee it will be one of the most memorable moments of your life, as the unbelievable beauty of the Valley hits your eyes all at once. Make certain you watch the road as you do, as you WILL be spellbound when this happens. Just pull over as you exit the tunnel and spend a few minutes adjusting your brain to the fact that a place like this exists on our planet.

Thanks Paul, I did want to see the view from the tunnel first, but I thought the Tunnel View was from either road until I looked at the map closer just now. I know what you mean about seeing something for the first time. I guess the things that have struck me the most are seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time, Dead Horse Point State Park, Crater Lake, Giant Sequoias in Sequoia NP. I look forward to the Tunnel View!!! We can always eat breakfast and drink coffee while driving in the car.

Southwest flies into Oakland and San Jose, but not San Francisco. Of those two, San Jose is the better choice. If you arrive in the morning, you should have no problem with traffic, going south to Gilroy to pick up Highway 152.

Sacramento is out of the way to the north, especially if you plan to access the Valley at Tunnel View---you'll need to come in on Highway 41. Fresno is actually the best place to start for that, but I don't know what airline flies there.

What is the "day in Mariposa" for?

Enzian

In Mariposa Grove will visit Sequoia Trees and overnight @ Wawona or camprground. Southwest does indeed fly into SFO, If my memory is correct I flew with them there in March and their website indicates they still fly there. San Jose certainly is another option that I hadn't consdiered. We will arrive at the airport late on a thursday evening(9:00pm ish). Will stay in hotel near airport and then depart fairly early the next morning for Yosemite(our timezone will be off by two hours anyway). I would imagine we could leave as early as 6:00AM. If we rent an Rv they don't open until 8:00.

mapsonus.com shows 4 miles difference in Oakland and San Jose

Dear spiro: I would choose Sacto airport just for ease of escape. The Bay Area traffic is terrible. Enzian is right though about the Wawona tunnel view being fantastic and unforgetable. I first saw the view in 6th grade, over 40 years ago and have never fogotten it.

What degree of curvature does your daughter have? Our daughter was diagnosed at age 9 with a 20 degree curve. They braced her at 10 and she wore it faithfully until she was 15. The curve basically stayed the same so no surgery. Several other girls we know had curves get over 40 and had surgery. Good luck for a great outcome.

SFO is actually San Francisco airport, not Oakland. I'm not sure what the code is for Oakland. I suggested San Jose over Oakland for ease of car rental and traffic---Oakland is more in the middle of a maze of freeways, all of which can beb clogged. But it depends on the time of day.

MichelleY is correct that Sacramento presents the fewest traffic problems (although I have gotten stuck for hours in miserable traffic on Highway 80).

You might find out what time of day your flight would be arriving at different places and someone can advise.

As for Mariposa---I thought you meant the nearby town! It's nice, but not worth giving up a day in Yosemite. Mariposa Grove is a different thing entirely. It won't take a whole day, however.

I'm also not sure I personally would go to such great effort (driving out of the way) to make Tunnel View my first view of the Valley. I've always come in along the Merced River on Highway 140, and that's pretty nice too. But I won't try to dissuade you either; Tunnel View is indeed very nice. I haven't seen it since the "rehabilitation".

MichelleY,

Our daughter was 12 when the school caught it and at that time was a 48(she has the typical S curse-some have 1 or 3 curves). We have tried some experimental chiropractic/holistic methods on it for about 3 years now. She spends about an hour a day doing strange exercizes and sees chiro once a week. It held steady but didn't get any better. Our last visit to the ortho she was a 56 and 55 is his absolute limit and we can tell on the xrays that it is a little worse. There is only 15-20 chiro in the us attempting this right now and I do think they are on to something, but certainly have a long way to perfect it. I have seen probably 20 other kids her age in about the same condition going to him(all girls, just one male), they have all ended up having surgery. We just wanted it to give it a really good shot before having the surgery. It will be done at Univeristy of Oklahoma. He said we can wait unti she is out of school. Our school is out May 14(provided we don't miss for snow days). Her surgery will be June 4 or June 7. It is just so wierd to us because she is so athletic. She isn't in much pain so that is a positive. and yes, we are praying for a good outcome. She is the top person in her class at school and has been super easy to raise(so far anyway), so makes it all the much harder to accept. She isn't concerned about not being able to do sports for a year(she is a sophmore). She would like to be able to run track again though. Ortho told her she could play basketball in a year, but I doubt that she will want to. We just hope that it is a rough summer and after that everything will be all right. How did the girls you know outcome work out for them??

Enzian,

I thought the first day would be spent driving to Yosemite arriving @ Mariposa/Wawona and spending the rest of the day there. We would then have 2-3 days in the Valley.