iamq

I meant to add that I would rather stay down in Wawona near the southern end of the park where rooms are more commonly available than in El Portal. The hotel is an old Victorian place with lots of charm, a large grassy area with Adirondack chairs sprinkled around and a decent restaurant. A little more driving is entailed getting into the Valley, but everytime you do, you get to go thourgh that lovely view at Tunnel View.

PeaceOut

Yes, go to Yosemite! It is so beautiful there.

Myer

iamq,

Thanks for the suggestions. I'd really like to stay in park but to gather 5 consecutive nights may be dreaming.

While I have several hikes on my list that are off the Glacier Road, I think I have to be realistic.

I keep myself in pretty gtood shape but I'm getting older and have had some issues over the past several years (knee surgery, hip replacement and spine).

While going downhill is easier on the heart, going uphill is easier on the knees.

I might try the Panorama trail down as far as the Illilouette Fall bridge. That should give me a scenery fill. Then I'll turn around and go back up the 2 miles. I hate to be down anywhere and then have to go back up. Hard to change your mind.

Off Glacier Road also has Sentinel Dome, Taft Point and Washburn Point (not much of a hike here).

I don't don't where Roosevelt Point is but Stanford is too far for me.

I may change direction for the lodging. I'll think about it.

PeaceOut

If you can afford the Ahwahnee Lodge, it is really atmospheric.

Myer

Peaceout,

I don't think affording has much to do with it. I'll bet most
people going on a trip can afford it. The question is will they allocate that kind of money to stay there?

To some it's worth it and to others it's not.

I went on three trips in 2010 and I have three planned for spring/summer 2011. Unless there was some extradordinary reason, it's not in my nature to spend that kind of money on a hotel. Especially without my wife.

My daughter and her husband stayed at the Ahwahnee Lodge a couple of years ago. I wouldn't.

iamq

The walk out to Taft Point is nice and easy and the views are great, but don't overlook the obvious. A hike along the Merced River and around the Valley gives one of the most gratifying experiences of any of the hiking opportunities in the Valley. Do it early and you'll see lots of deer among the trees down by the river. You will need a neck brace when done as your head will be constantly pointed upward. Walk 100 yards and you have a views that didn't exisst a minute ago. Walk another 50 yards and there's somehting else! It is a bit like Zion in that respect, but very different.