Yosemite Trip May 2017
Jan 18th, 2017, 06:33 AM
#41
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We went in early May 2016 (I think the 2nd-4th, if I remember correctly).
The weather for us was: jackets and sweatshirts in the morning, t-shirts in the afternoon on hikes.
The waterfalls were raging and awesome.
Hotels did book out on us, so I don't think you're wrong in booking early.
Swing by a ranger station and ask about specific trails for openings or closings. The Tioga Road was open and we hiked the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias trail to see some sequoias closer to Yosemite. The Mariposa Grove was not open for us.
You'll have a fabulous time - it truly is gorgeous there!
The weather for us was: jackets and sweatshirts in the morning, t-shirts in the afternoon on hikes.
The waterfalls were raging and awesome.
Hotels did book out on us, so I don't think you're wrong in booking early.
Swing by a ranger station and ask about specific trails for openings or closings. The Tioga Road was open and we hiked the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias trail to see some sequoias closer to Yosemite. The Mariposa Grove was not open for us.
You'll have a fabulous time - it truly is gorgeous there!
May 24th, 2017, 04:13 PM
#42
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Well, I planned a year in advance so I could book a room in Yosemite Valley Lodge in May. I also deliberately booked Mon, Tues and Wed nights, to avoid weekends, so we could avoid the large crowds I had read about. Didn't realize the record snow fall and snow melt would make the waterfalls full and fabulous - making it a great time to visit, but a great time for everyone else to visit too!
The crowds seemed pretty bad to me - no parking, even for hotels guests, shuttle buses unreliable and packed. We finally just left our car sit, as we knew we'd never get another spot. But on the flip side, as I said, the waterfalls were roaring, enough to get you soaked if you went too close. Views were spectacular. Glacier Point road just reopened on our final day there, and we so enjoyed driving up there.
Our first day, we hiked the Wawona Meadow Loop trail, and unfortunately, I fell doing a water crossing (klutz!) and banged up my leg pretty bad. We took it easier with hikes the rest of the trip than we might have otherwise. Really enjoyed the Mirror Lake loop, and Cooks Meadow trail. Rented bikes one day, and enjoyed riding up to Swinging Bridge - just beautiful!
After Yosemite, we drove to Three Rivers, and stayed at River Jewell Suites. I highly recommend this place, we loved it. Right on the Kawea River, which was also full and roaring.
From here, we visited Sequoia NP, and really loved it. No crowds, and the big trees were so majestic and awe inspiring. Hiked the Congress Trail, great easy walk through the trees.
The next day, we walked up to the top of Moro Rock (fantastic views) and hiked the Cresent Meadow loop, also beautiful.
Hot afternoons were spent relaxing at our place by the rushing river - so relaxing after the chaos of Yosemite!
Our final day, we drove up to Kings Canyon NP via Dry Creek Road, a very scenic drive. Once in the park, we drove through the canyon to the Cedar Grove area. While there, we hiked the Zumwalt Meadow loop - it was so beautiful! Also, picnicked right by the Kings river (also full and roaring!), it was just magical. Again, no crowds, even on a Sunday. We probably enjoyed this park the most.
Overall, it was a trip of a lifetime, we experienced a great many of the things we loved - mountain views, waterfalls, rushing mountain rivers and meadows. If I had to do anything over again, I might choose to stay at the Majestic in Yosemite, instead of the Valley Lodge, for just one night. At $450 a night, it felt out of our budget for 3 nights, but that may have relieved the chaotic crowding feeling at the Valley Lodge. Oh, and I would also have been more careful with that water crossing on day 1!
But no regrets, loved the trip, great memories for a lifetime!
The crowds seemed pretty bad to me - no parking, even for hotels guests, shuttle buses unreliable and packed. We finally just left our car sit, as we knew we'd never get another spot. But on the flip side, as I said, the waterfalls were roaring, enough to get you soaked if you went too close. Views were spectacular. Glacier Point road just reopened on our final day there, and we so enjoyed driving up there.
Our first day, we hiked the Wawona Meadow Loop trail, and unfortunately, I fell doing a water crossing (klutz!) and banged up my leg pretty bad. We took it easier with hikes the rest of the trip than we might have otherwise. Really enjoyed the Mirror Lake loop, and Cooks Meadow trail. Rented bikes one day, and enjoyed riding up to Swinging Bridge - just beautiful!
After Yosemite, we drove to Three Rivers, and stayed at River Jewell Suites. I highly recommend this place, we loved it. Right on the Kawea River, which was also full and roaring.
From here, we visited Sequoia NP, and really loved it. No crowds, and the big trees were so majestic and awe inspiring. Hiked the Congress Trail, great easy walk through the trees.
The next day, we walked up to the top of Moro Rock (fantastic views) and hiked the Cresent Meadow loop, also beautiful.
Hot afternoons were spent relaxing at our place by the rushing river - so relaxing after the chaos of Yosemite!
Our final day, we drove up to Kings Canyon NP via Dry Creek Road, a very scenic drive. Once in the park, we drove through the canyon to the Cedar Grove area. While there, we hiked the Zumwalt Meadow loop - it was so beautiful! Also, picnicked right by the Kings river (also full and roaring!), it was just magical. Again, no crowds, even on a Sunday. We probably enjoyed this park the most.
Overall, it was a trip of a lifetime, we experienced a great many of the things we loved - mountain views, waterfalls, rushing mountain rivers and meadows. If I had to do anything over again, I might choose to stay at the Majestic in Yosemite, instead of the Valley Lodge, for just one night. At $450 a night, it felt out of our budget for 3 nights, but that may have relieved the chaotic crowding feeling at the Valley Lodge. Oh, and I would also have been more careful with that water crossing on day 1!
But no regrets, loved the trip, great memories for a lifetime!
Stop telling people how great SEKI is or it will become just as crowded as Yosemite 
Glad you had a great time and thanks for reporting back.
May 26th, 2017, 07:10 AM
#44
johkar, We were there on the same three nights, except we had an extra night, arriving on Sunday. I agree the shuttle system needs some help. Maybe you were in the same group of 200 people who waited an hour for a bus at Happy Isles? Finally my wife and I gave up and walked back to the Valley Lodge, making that a 12 mile day for us. This happened a second time, the bus finally showed up after an hour, but not everyone was able to get on.
And the last day we got a parking spot right next to our room. As you say, there was no way we were moving the car at that point.
Still, it was fantastic to be there and the waterfalls were truly an amazing sight. Glad you had a great trip too.
And the last day we got a parking spot right next to our room. As you say, there was no way we were moving the car at that point.
Still, it was fantastic to be there and the waterfalls were truly an amazing sight. Glad you had a great trip too.
May 29th, 2017, 09:55 AM
#45
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No, fortunately, we weren't in that group! We were at the visitors center waiting for the bus that goes out to El Capitan. One bus driver told us it would be along in another 20 minutes. After waiting about 40 minutes, we gave up, got on the shuttle to go back to Valley Lodge to get our car. We heard someone else ask that driver about the bus to El Cap, this driver said "oh that shuttle doesn't run this time of year".
We later figured out that due to road construction, the shuttle to Half Dome Village actually went down to the El Cap area to get turned around. So if you knew this, and knew to get on that bus, you could get there. Seems like the park could have publicized this better.
I don't even want to think about what it's been like this holiday weekend!
We later figured out that due to road construction, the shuttle to Half Dome Village actually went down to the El Cap area to get turned around. So if you knew this, and knew to get on that bus, you could get there. Seems like the park could have publicized this better.
I don't even want to think about what it's been like this holiday weekend!
May 30th, 2017, 05:01 PM
#46
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As someone who was there this past weekend (Memorial Day), I can confirm Saturday was insane trying to get into the park. What would normally take us 5.5-5.75 hours from home to checking in at the Lodge took...9 HOURS! What's really crazy is that most of the last three hours was AFTER we were already in the park, just stuck in traffic. Having said that, we were prepared and knew what we were getting into...sort of. I read all the alerts and messages on Twitter and FB, but can't say we really believed there'd be a 3 hour delay once we were in the valley. (There was a sign after Tunnel View warning of the 3 hours, but even then, it seemed incredible that could actually be the case.)
Once in the park, I actually didn't find it overwhelming. Yes, it was busy, but no busier than a typical summer weekend, and not so busy that we couldn't enjoy ourselves. I think we'd have felt differently, however, if we'd been waiting for the packed shuttle buses. Instead, we rented bikes and rode around the valley. It's a great way to get around as there are approximately 12 miles of bike path, and you can leave your bike (no need to lock the rental ones) and explore all the trails, waterfalls, and meadows on foot just as you normally would. So for anyone who can, and especially during the busy summer season, I highly recommend biking around the valley and skipping the long lines and waits at the shuttle stops!
Once in the park, I actually didn't find it overwhelming. Yes, it was busy, but no busier than a typical summer weekend, and not so busy that we couldn't enjoy ourselves. I think we'd have felt differently, however, if we'd been waiting for the packed shuttle buses. Instead, we rented bikes and rode around the valley. It's a great way to get around as there are approximately 12 miles of bike path, and you can leave your bike (no need to lock the rental ones) and explore all the trails, waterfalls, and meadows on foot just as you normally would. So for anyone who can, and especially during the busy summer season, I highly recommend biking around the valley and skipping the long lines and waits at the shuttle stops!
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