Janis is correct. Waterfall flows are always a trickle this time of year. Drought or not. Our rainy season is in the winter. However, we had some rain this weekend so they may have picked up. Always beautiful.

You've gotten the correct answers. Sorry you will miss most of the falls, but there is so much additional majestic beauty. Mirror Lake will be dry, as well. :-(

FYI, the only color we saw (a little over a week ago) was the reddish browns of dead trees that have died from a combination of drought and a disease being spread by beetles. It was actually quite pretty, but lost a bit of the beauty when I realized I was looking at dead trees, not ones changing into their autumn colors! We'd heard the aspens were turning yellow, but we didn't see that anywhere.

FYI, Mariposa Grove is closed due to controlled burning. But again, there is SO much beauty--more than enough to be enthralled.

My first trip to Yosemite was in Autumn, so not much activity with the falls. There are a couple that are stream-fed, like Bridalveil, but no water in Yosemite Falls. I was still in absolute awe of the place. It was amazing.

The link I posted also has webcams of the falls.. Also handy if there are fires, then you can check the visibility.

Even though Mariposa Grove is closed, there is Nelder Grove, a few miles south of the south entrance. Nelder Grove, although not a grand as Mariposa, has scattered Sequoias and a lot of redwoods. Chances are you will have it pretty much to yourself if you go. It is quite beautiful in its own right. If you stay in Oakhurst you will pass it on the way to the south entrance.

Songdoc- the aspen colors are best at the very high elevations and on the eastern side of the Sierra. Maybe next time you are out this way!

https://www.monocounty.org/things-to...g/fall-colors/

I was speaking to the innkeeper in PG today. She advised me to go from SF to Mariposa and stay in that town. She said it is a short 15 minute ride from Mariposa to the Yosemite Valley, and a 4 hour ride from Mariposa to the MP. Is this accurate information? She also suggested we stay in Mariposa rather than in the park itself. What do my Fodor Friends think of this?

No. Mariposa is too far. Stay either in the Valley or Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal. Far less driving.

It's a lot farther than a 15 min drive from Mariposa to Yosemite Valley.

>>She said it is a short 15 minute ride from Mariposa to the Yosemite Valley,<<

She must have been smoking something strong ;)

Mariposa to Yosemite Valley is about 45 miles and around 80-90 minutes.

Trust us . . .

El Portal or Yosemite Valley.

>>Mariposa to Yosemite Valley is about 45 miles and around 80-90 minutes.<<

To clarify that would be to Yosemite Village which is where all the services are

And one more thing . . . long stretches of the road in from Mariposa are posted 25 and 35 mph . . . and they are strictly enforced both in and outside of the park. So it really is a slow drive.

Thanks for the clarification. That 15 minute ride info sounded extremely unlikely, even to me, who knows not too much about the area (although I am learning, thanks to all of you!)

The PG woman may have been mixing up Mariposa and El Portal - El Portal is about 15 minutes from Yosemite Valley - if there isn't a wait at the ranger station when you enter the park.

Next question: My flight doesn't get in until 3:30PM, so by the time we get luggage and the car, I guess we won't hit the road until 5 or so. I don't think I want to drive the entire distance to El Portal after the flight, in the dark,(partially due to bad memories of being lost in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, in the dark, in a snowstorm, with no cell service and low on gas) so am looking to drive part way there and continue early the next morning. Are there any suggestions where to stop for the night? Thanks!

>> so am looking to drive part way there and continue early the next morning. Are there any suggestions where to stop for the night? Thanks!<<

Not really - the first nice place to stay is practically there.

I'd probably either stay that night somewhere in the East Bay (so you are out of the main morning commute) Like Pleasanton or Livermore or a little farther in Tracy. In any - I would just stay in one of the several national chains right next to the freeway (Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, etc and eat in nearby chain restaurants/fast food)

I did a mapquest of the route. There is a Hampton in Merced, which looks to be about two hours out of SF and two hours or so from Yosemite. What do you think of that plan?

I'd personally stay in Tracy but that Hampton Inn would be OK -- just don't wander around Merced.

Driving to Merced takes much longer than 2 hours -- in the afternoon commute count on at least 3.5 hours. (assuming this is a weekday)

That is why I suggested staying closer to SFO. There is a DoubleTree and a Courtyard in Livermore -- probably other but those are the only ones I know. That would take about 1.5-2 hours at that time of day.

Depends which route you are taking to Yosemite. If taking 120, then Tracy would be good. If going south on 101, over Pacheco Pass on 152, to 59 and 140, then look at the Casa de Fruta motel or La Quinta in Los Banos. I grew up in Los Banos. La Quinta is next to a pretty good restaurant and bar. There is also an old fashioned Basque restaurant in town. Casa de Fruta has a restaurant, fruit stand etc. reviews for the motel look good.

Not sure which route you are thinking about.

>> then look at the Casa de Fruta motel or La Quinta in Los Banos<<

Ooh -- that would be a good idea -- if you go south and cut over. I was just assuming 580>205>99