razzledazzle

Just got a rezzie (prob a cancellation)at The Lodge for 2 nights-
and am hoping the abundant water will still be roaring.
Any thoughts ?

Also am thinking of heading over to Monterey for 2 more nights (been)
or exploring the Gold Country (Mr R5 has never been)
Thoughts on lodging, must travel roads ? wine ?

Appreciate your assistance !

R5

utahtea

The falls in Yosemite will probably have a pretty good flow into July because of the very heavy snow pack this year. They won't be as powerful as the spring run off tho.

Utahtea

razzledazzle

Thanks, Utahtea, I was hoping that would be the case-

R5

november_moon

Both would be good choices for after Yosemite. Gold Country is closer, of course. It will be warmer in July too, whereas the coast will be cooler. That may or may not be a consideration. Since your husband hasn't been to the Gold Country, that would probably be my choice.

razzledazzle

Hey, november moon !
The Gold Country is the way I am leaning-'tho we do so love that aquarium. I'll remind him about our often foggy 4th of July here in Sonoma County (we know all to well how cool the coast can be even in the summer months)
Thanks.

So, where to travel to in the Gold Country ?

R5

november_moon

I am partial to Nevada City and Grass Valley. It is a neat area - lots of history, very picturesque. Empire Mine is there, which you can tour. The grounds and the mine owner's house can also be toured - the same family that owned the Empire Mine also owned Fioli estate in Woodside. Malakof Diggins SP is also very interesting - they did hydraulic mining up there. If you like covered bridges, there is one at Bridgeport, which is off Hwy 20 near Penn Valley - maybe 20-30 minutes from Grass Valley. Covered bridges are uncommon in CA, so it is neat to see.

Underhill

Local projections have water still in the falls into September because of the very heavy snow back and cool spring temperatures.

spirobulldog

I think I would spend the extra days in Yosemite, if you can get additional lodging days there.

razzledazzle

I was thinking more along the area of Hwy 49, yet I will give Grass Valley a look-see, thanks-november_moon

Appreciate the info on the water projections, Underhll-
just what I was hoping for.

We'd love to spend more days, spiro, I just need someone
else to cancel the additional two, LOL !

R5

utahtea

Grass Valley is on the Historic Hwy 49. The Motherlode Hwy 49 starts in Oakhurst and goes all the way up to Vinton. We did the whole route one fall but by the time we hit Grass Valley and Nevada City we were running out of time and it was raining so we didn't spend much time there. There are a lot of great places to explore. Maybe this website will help: http://www.historichwy49.com/mainmap.html

Utahtea

razzledazzle

Yes, we've done the beautiful Grass Valley portion of Hwy 49
in conjunction with Tahoe visits.
I just sat down to do some research and there you are,
Utahtea with the first site I will travel too-
a serendipity moment, LOL !

Many, many, thanks to everyone !

R5

razzledazzle

ttt

Jean

Yosemite recorded 2 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours, and there is still no estimate for the opening of Tioga Pass. There will be no shortage of water in the falls in mid-July.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm

More pics of the snowplows on Tioga:

http://www.myyosemite.com/tioga-pass-opening-63011

Placename

According to that Tioga post on myyosemite.com, the Caltrans director for that region estimated June 30 for the opening date of Tioga Pass. (His prediction was as of 5/24/2011).

The snowplows from the east met the snowplows from the west last week, on June 2. There was about 10 feet of snow at Olmstead Point according to that photo.

Jean

It has snowed since that 5/24/11 blog post. It has even snowed since the snowplows met on June 2nd. When it snows, the plows stop, and they have to check for avalanche risk before starting again.

I'd put more credence in the nps.gov website that says there is no estimate for opening the road yet. The dot.ca.gov website gives no estimate either.

enzian

With the amount of snow still left in the high country, I'll bet you will see nice waterfalls in mid-July.

We will be there around August 1, staying up in Tuolumne, and I am afraid the mozzies will still be fierce. They do not bother me, but they love my husband. He does not return the affection.

R5, if you enjoy swimming, try the lap swim time at the pool at the Lodge. It is a lovely and very large pool with great views toward the falls, best viewed from a backstroke. Last summer the lap swim was at 10 am. We had the pool to ourselves for the first half-hour.

Parrothead

I'm not sure how many days you're considering after Yosemite but IMO one of the most scenic drives and destinations along 49 is the portion from Nevada City to Downieville, then proceed on 49 along the Yuba River north fork to Lakes Basin (Gold Lake Hwy @ Bassett's Corner) to Graeagle on Hwy 89.

From Graeagle and if time permits, you could return west along 70 through Quincy to Oroville on 99, which is another spectacular N. Calif. Scenic Byway along the Feather River.

november_moon

Parrothead - That area is a secret. I thought we all had an unspoken agreement not to let ANYBODY know about that area. Insiders only Ok, yeah - that is a beautiful area, highly recommended, but shhhhhhh.

I haven't been up there in ages, but we used to spend part of every summer in the Lakes Basin.

sf7307

>>

Hmmmm, me either, but I'm thinking as soon as it warms up.....

november_moon

My dad and step-mom are headed up to Sardine Lake in July. I need to plan a trip up that way too.