The first time I went to Yosemite, it was November. Bridalveil fall was a trickle and I don't remember any other falls flowing. Still - I was absolutely enchanted by Yosemite valley.

The Lodge appears sold out for the dates I was interested in- any other recommendations for a place close by?

sunbum, I can't advise you on accomodations (I stayed at a friend's place in mariposa), however I'll throw in my two cents here. I don't know what dates you've settled on, but we went in late June. Yeah there were probably more crowds than other times of the year, but the big plus about going in June (and into the summer) is that you can visit the high country.

While we loved the Valley and all the famous sights there, we both felt the highlight of the trip was when we drove up into the high country, which is inaccesible by car the rest of the year, I believe. The view from Olmstead Point is breathtaking, and the trails were empty, quiet, and among the most beautiful I've been on.

I'll top my trip report for you to look at (this was a couple years ago, but still relevant). The report is entitled "Yosemite Trip Report with Link to Photos" and has detail about how we divided our days, which may be helpful to you. At least, hopefully the photos will help get you psyched!

Sunburn---are you still going in April? Would you consider the rustic accomodations at Curry Village? They have both tent cabins and a few motel units. Anything else would be outside the valley.

still thinking of April or Mothers Day weekend in May-
how rustic are the motel units at Curry Village?
Do you know about the Wawona Hotel? I know not in the Valley but how far a drive ? Is it a better option than staying outside the Park?

The motel units are actually not rustic, just not at all fancy. They have ensuite bathrooms, but no TV or phone. We stayed in one in April a couple of years ago---it was certainly adequate. If they had stars it would probably be 1*. The rustic units are the cabins and tent cabins. I like them, but they're not for everyone!

Wawona is a lovely old historic hotel, with verandas, and rooms with or without bath. It is near the Sequoia groves, about a 30-minute drive from the valley floor. The drive takes you above the valley, not out along the river as you would go the the hotels outside the park. So it's about the same amount of driving, but a different kind of drive. You go through a short tunnel; coming in to the Valley for the first time the view as you break out of the tunnel is breathtaking.

You can see photos of the Wawona on the "lodging" section of the website:
http://www.yosemitepark.com/content2...&PageID=50

The commercial hotels just outside the park are very nice, with pools and other amenities. I personally would take Curry Village first (so I could be in the Valley), then Wawona, then the Yosemite View Lodge, Teneya Lodge, or one of the others outside the park. But that's just me. I lived in the park when I was younger---back in the days when employees could still live there---and couldn't consider staying anywhere else. But those hotels at the park entrance are probably more comfortable.

Hi Sunbum,

I'm sure you're going to have a great time. As I mentioned a couple days ago, the non-commercial website I brought up has all the information you could want, compiled from years of experience and the writings of other visitors. I don't know the writer personally, so I gain nothing by telling you.

It is www.yosemitefun.com

On this site:
-Review, description, and prices for every hotel in the area
-Highlights of what each month of the year at the park has to offer (as well as drawbacks)
-Detailed description of Curry Village and what to expect
-Suggested itinieraries for differet trip lengths
-Top five hikes and descriptions
-Phone numbers
-How to deal with crowds
-Other stuff

As I had mentioned, I've been to Yosemite many times and thus have a large number of opinions. However, we don't know each other, so it is difficult to give recommendations when I don't know your comfort level or "must-haves."

YosemiteFun helped me enormously when I needed to plan 1) a sightseeing trip for my parents and aging grandmother, 2) a backcountry camping trip, 3) a romantic winter weekend, etc.

I hope you have similar luck.

My son and his family (5)- all young are going to be there a couple of days this next week (end of March)- and they are staying Tenaya Lodge (outside) but when they return, I'll post what he reports re falls etc.

JJ5,

Our local news just showed pictures of Yosemite Falls. The falls are already going pretty good and the snow and ice around the falls made it look even better.

Utahtea

Thanks, utahtea, I'll email him. Boy, are they excited! It's the first time the 3 kids will go West. They are 11, 9 and 6. That have 1 day slated just for Yosemite and 1 day close with other venues. Then end up going South and will eventually fly home from LA.

Lucky kids, great parents. Just hope my Mom stays stable. I told him, just go.

This weekend, March 24th? Ut oh, they could be in for some snow on Saturday but looks like sunny weather on Sunday. If they can do the valley after the snow, it will be BEAUTIFUL!

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recre...ay/CANPYOSE:13

Utahtea

Ooops that should have been snow on March 25th.

My fingers aren't working today with numbers!

Utahtea

Yay! I did it- I booked 3 nights at Yosemite View Lodge for mothers day weekend - I am excited!!
Thanks for all the advice on this board-will keep you posted