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Yosemite FAQ (2/3)

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Jeffrey Trust

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Jan 10, 1999, 3:00:00 AM1/10/99

THE YOSEMITE FAQ

This article is copyright (c) 1996-1999 by Jeffrey Trust. It may be
freely distributed for non-commerical purposes only, provided that it is
distributed umodified and in its entirety.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
While I have attempted to keep all information correct, up-to-date, and
complete, neither I, nor any other contributers to this FAQ, assume any
responsibility for its correctness. In other words: use this information
at your own risk.

For suggestions, comments, and questions, email jeffre...@csun.edu

A quasi-html version of this document is kept at
http://geology.csun.edu/yosemite/yf.html

LAST UPDATED: 8 January 1999
==============================================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part 1: Where to get information about Yosemite
Part 1: Introduction
Part 1: When to visit
Part 1: Transportation
Part 1: If you will visit Yosemite, please read this section
Part 2: Camping in Yosemite
Part 2: Camping outside Yosemite
Part 2: Accomodations in Yosemite
Part 2: Accomodations outside Yosemite
Part 2: Services in Yosemite
Part 3: What to do: hiking and backpacking
Part 3: What to do: visitor centers and museums
Part 3: What to do: interpretive activities
Part 3: Yosemite in winter
Part 3: Acknowledgements
Part 3: Appendix: Firefall, tunnel trees, Mirror Lake (real FAQs)
=============================================================================

CAMPING IN YOSEMITE

Many of the campgrounds inside Yosemite National Park require
reservations. Reservations may be made up to **FIVE** months in advance
(effective Jan 1st, 1999; until then, it's 3 months in advance)
Starting the fifteenth day of each month, a month's worth of camping
start-dates is available. For example, on January 15th, it is possible
to make reservations with a start date between 15 June through 14 July.

The Wawona, Tuolumne Meadows, and Hetch Hetchy Backpackers campgrounds
have limited room for horse use.

Group campgrounds are available in Yosemite Valley, Hodgdon Meadow,
Tuolumne Meadows, Bridalveil Creek, Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy Backpackers.
Each group site can accomodate 30 people. You may make reservations for
Yosemite Valley, Hodgdon Meadow, and Tuolumne Meadows through the
National Parks Reservation System (Biospherics).

1-800-436-7275 National Parks Reservation System. Campground reservations.
1-301-722-1257 National Parks Reservation System. Campground reservations.
1-209-372-0302 Camping information (no reservations).
1-209-372-8502 NPRS Yosemite campgrounds office (no reservations).

http://reservations.nps.gov/ for online reservations and information

Rules for car camping in Yosemite:
-Camping is permitted only in designated campsites.
-Yosemite is BEAR HABITAT. Federal law requires that you PROPERLY STORE
FOOD and other aromatic substances AT ALL TIMES! This includes ALL food
(regardless of and including packaging), drinks, toothpaste, soap,
cosmetics, etc.
Proper storage means keeping ALL food, etc. in bear boxes. All
campgrounds have bear boxes. Bears recognize ice-chests and many other
types of food containers (including, for example, pizza boxes) and can
easily break into your car to get them.
**NEVER** leave food in your car overnight, under any circumstances.
-DO NOT FEED the animals! This includes squirrels, no matter how much
they beg. Human food is unhealthy for wildlife and feeding of the wildlife
makes them reliant on humans for food.
-FIREWOOD COLLECTION IS PROHIBITED IN YOSEMITE VALLEY. You may
purchase firewood at Housekeeping Camp, Curry Village, and Yosemite Village.
Outside Yosemite Valley, collection of DOWNED firewood is permitted.
Do not cut down trees or remove branches from trees.
-CAMPFIRES are permitted only in fire pits. During summer, campfires are
prohibited in Yosemite Valley except between 5pm and 10pm. Before going
to sleep or leaving the campsite, you must completely extinguish the fire.
-QUIET HOURS are from 10pm to 6am. Please show courtesy to your neighbors
and refrain from making uneccessary noise during these hours (and during
the day, for that matter). Generator use is permitted in *most*
campgrounds between 7am and 7pm, though their use is discouraged. Please
show courtesy to your neighbors and refrain from using a radio: it is
very irritating to the hundreds of other people in the campground.
-CAMPING LIMIT: There is a seven-day camping limit in Yosemite Valley and
Wawona between June and September, and a 30-day limit per year. The
camping limit elsewhere is 14 days between June and September, and 30
days per year.

All car campgrounds in Yosemite have fire pits or grills, picnic tables,
and food storage lockers ("bear boxes"). None of the campgrounds has
hook-ups. The maximum length for RVs is 40 feet. Many campgrounds have
campground hosts. These volunteers are available to answer your questions
and help you solve any problems.

CAMPGROUNDS

* Upper and Lower River campgrounds have been closed permanently due
* to flood damage. Replacement campgrounds have been proposed in the VIP.

Campground |sites|RV|dump sta|pets|parking|seasons|reserve|cost/night|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOSEMITE VALLEY - 1-209-372-8502 for information only -
North Pines |85 |y |no |no |yes |Apr-Oct|yes |$15/site |
Lower Pines |80 |y |no |no |yes |Apr-Nov|no |$15/site |
Upper Pines |238 |y |yes |yes |yes |AllYear|yes |$15/site |
Sunnyside/C4 |35 |no|no |no |nearby|AllYear|walk-in|$3/person |
Backpackers' |25 |no|no |no |kind of|May-Oct|walk-in|$3/person
WAWONA AREA
Wawona |100 |y |no |yes |yes |Oct-Apr|no |$10/site |
|May-Sep|yes |$15/site |
Bridalveil |110 |y |no |yes |yes |Jun-Sep|no |$10/site |
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, TIOGA ROAD, and HETCH HETCHY AREAS - 1-209-372-4025 and 2123
Hodgdon Mdw |105 |y |no |yes |yes |May-Oct|yes |$12/site |
|Nov-Apr|no |$10/site |
Hetch Hetchy |19 |no|no |no |no |Apr-Nov|no |$3/person |
Crane Flat |166 |y |no |yes |yes |May-Oct|yes |$12/site |
Tamarack Flat|52 |no|no |yes |yes |Jun-Oct|no |$6/site |
White Wolf |87 |y |no |yes |yes |Jun-Sep|no |$10/site |
Yosem Creek |75 |no|no |no |no |Jun-Sep|no |$6/site |
PorcupineFlat|52 |y |no |no |no |Jun-Oct|no |$6/site |
Tuolumne Mdws|314 |y |yes |yes |yes |Jun-Oct|yes |$12/site |
|no |Jun-Oct|no |$3/person |

Campground |tap water|toilets|showers nearby|laundry nearby|market nearby|
YOSEMITE VALLEY
North Pines |yes |flush |yes |yes |yes |
Upper Pines |yes |flush |yes |yes |yes |
Lower Pines |yes |flush |yes |yes |yes |
Sunnyside |yes |flush |yes |yes |yes |
Backpackers |yes |flush |yes |yes |yes |
WAWONA AREA
Wawona |yes |flush |no |no |yes |
Bridalveil |yes |flush |no |no |no |
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, TIOGA ROAD, and HETCH HETCHY AREA
Hodgdon Mdw |yes |flush |no |no |no |
Hetch Hetchy|yes |flush |no |no |no |
Crane Flat |yes |flush |no |no |yes |
TamarackFlat|no |pit |no |no |no |
White Wolf |yes |flush |no |no |no |
Yosemite Cr |no |pit |no |no |no |
PocupineFlat|no |pit |no |no |no |
TuolumneMdws|yes |flush |yes |no |yes |

CAMPING OUTSIDE YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Most of Yosemite National Park is surrounded by land controlled by the
Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service. The US Forest
Service operates campgrounds in the three national forests surrounding
Yosemite. Camping is allowed in many places on BLM and USFS land where
campgrounds do not exist. For more information about camping call:

Inyo NF, Lee Vining (INF): 619-647-3000
Sierra NF, Mariposa (SNF-M): 209-966-3638
Sierra NF, Oakhurst (SNF-O): 559-683-4665
Stanislaus NF, Groveland (SNF-G): 209-962-7825

Bureau of Land Managemnt, Mariposa (BLM): 209-966-3192

Mono County Parks & Rec (Mono): 619-932-5248

Campgrounds Outside Yosemite

Highway 140

campground | water | sites | RV |hookup | fee |season | reserve/info
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indian Flat showers 28 34 ft. yes $16+ allyear 209-372-2339
Indian Flat tap 21 34 ft. no $12 May-Oct No/SNF-M
KOA showers 80 34 ft. yes $25 allyear 209-966-2201
McCabe Flat river 6 27 ft. no free allyear No/BLM-M
Willow Placer river 4 27 ft. no free allyear No/BLM-M
Railroad Flat river 7 27 ft. no free allyear No/BLM-M

Highway 120 West (from Yosemite Valley)

campground | water | sites | RV |hookup | fee |season | reserve/info
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cherry Valley tap 46 22 ft. no $9-16 May-Nov No/SNF-G
Sweetwater tap 13 22 ft. no $9 Apr-Nov No/SNF-G
Lost Claim pump 10 22 ft. no $7 May-Sep No/SNF-G
The Pines tap 12 22 ft. no $9 May-Nov No/SNF-G
Lumsden river 10 no no free Apr-Oct No/SNF-G
Southfork river 8 no no free Apr-Oct No/SNF-G
Lumdsen Br. river 10 no no free Apr-Oct No/SNF-G
Moccasin Pt. showers 90 60 ft. yes $13-17 allyear 209-852-2396
Yosemite Lakes showers 51 nolimit yes $18 allyear 209-962-0110
Pine Mt. Lake showers 49 35 ft. yes $12-18 allyear 209-962-8625
Yos. Pines RV showers 187 75 ft. yes $18-23 allyear 800-368-5386

Highway 41

campground | water | sites | RV |hookup | fee |season | reserve/info
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summerdale tap 30 35 ft. no $12 May-Oct no/SNF-O
Big Sandy stream 14 35 ft. no $9 Jun-Oct no/SNF-O
Little Sandy stream 10 26 ft. no free Jun-Oct no/SNF-O
Nelder Grove stream 7 25 ft. no free Jun-Oct no/SNF-O
Bass Lake area tap 258 35 ft. no $15 allyear 800-280-2267
Hi-Sierra RV tap 40 40 yes $20 allyear 559-683-7662

Highway 120 East (from Yosemite Valley)

campground | water | sites | RV |hookup | fee |season | reserve/info
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tioga Lake tap 13 30 ft. no $8 Jun-Oct no/INF
Junction stream 13 30 ft. no free Jun-Oct no/INF
Ellery Lake tap 12 30 ft. no $8 Jun-Oct no/INF
Saddlebag Lake tap 20 30 ft. no $8 Jun-Oct no/INF
Sawmill stream 12 no no free Jun-Oct no/INF
Big Bend tap 17 30 ft. no $8 May-Oct no/INF
Aspen Grove stream 50 40 ft. no $5 Apr-Oct no/Mono
Lee Vining Cr. stream 100 40 ft. no $5 Apr-Oct no/Mono
Cattle Guard stream 16 30 ft. no $5 Apr-Oct no/Mono

ACCOMODATIONS IN YOSEMITE

Hotel-style accomodations in Yosemite National Park

The sole provider of hotel-style accomodations within Yosemite National
Park is Yosemite Concessions Services Corp. (YCS).
For accomodations in Yosemite, call YCS at 559-252-4848 or write:
Central Reservations, YCS
5410 East Home Street
Fresno, CA 93727.

Accomodations within Yosemite range from tent-cabins in Curry Village to
luxury hotel suites at the Ahwahnee Hotel. You may make reservations up
to 366 days in advance, though it is generally possible to get some
accomodations several months in advance without much difficulty,
especially in winter. If you can't get reservations for the date(s) you
want, you can try calling back a little later: cancellations are frequent.
Alternatively, you can look elsewhere in this FAQ under the section
"Accomodations Outside Yosemite" and make reservations near the park.

* NOTE: Yosemite Lodge sustained major flood damage. At least half of
* the units of Yosemite Lodge were damaged; as a result Yosemite Lodge
* is being redesigned. Nearly all damaged units will be replaced.

* NOTE: If you have trouble getting reservations within Yosemite, try
* the motels and hotels outside Yosemite. You will find that many of them
* are cheaper and/or nicer than accomodations within Yosemite... and most
* of all, easier to reserve!

ACCOMODATIONS OUTSIDE YOSEMITE

This list is several years old, so some information may be obsolete.
If you find any errors in this list, or have comments about any of the
places listed (or any places not listed) please email
jeffre...@csun.edu .

Hwy 140 (Yosemite Valley to Merced):

* El Portal Road (portion of hwy 140 inside Yosemite) will have restricted
* access beginning 8 Sep 1998. See the "Transportation" section for the
* schedule.

El Portal (14 mi/23 km from Yosemite Valley):
Cedar Lodge Resort 209-379-2612 or 800-321-5261 nice
Redbud Lodge 209-379-2301 or 800-272-2301 rustic
Yosemite View Lodge 209-372-2681 or 800-321-5261 closest to Yosemite, nice

Midpines (36 mi/58 km from Yosemite Valley)
The Aviary 209-742-6988
Budget Host Inn - Muir Lodge 209-966-2468 or 800-678-MUIR
Homestead Guest Ranch 209-966-2820
Pimentel's B & B 209-966-6847 ($75-85)

Mariposa (43 mi/69 km from Yosemite Valley)
Bear's Den B & B 209-966-6684 ($85-95)
Blackberry Creek Bed and Breakfast 209-966-6044
Boulder Creek B & B 209-742-7729 or 800 768-4752 ($85)
Canyon View Bed and Breakfast 209-742-6268
The Clubb's B & B 209-966-5085
Dick & Shirl's B & B 209-966-2514
E.C. Yosemite Motel 209-742-6800 or 800-321-5261
Fifth Street Inn B & B 800-867-8584 ($50-75)
Finch Haven Bed and Breakfast 209-966-4738 ($75)
Granny's Garden B & B (May-Oct) 209-377-8342
Ken & Flo's B & B 209-966-7677 ($55-60)
Little Valley Inn 209-742-6204 or 800-889-5444 (gold panning lessons)
Mariposa Hotel-Inn B & B 209-966-4676 or 800-317-3244 ($68-95)
Mariposa Lodge (pets allowed!) 209-966-3607 or 800-341-8000
Meadow Creek Ranch B & B 209-966-3843 ($65-85)
Miner's Inn Motel 209-742-7777 or 800-237-7277
Mother Lode Lodge 209-966-2521 or 800-398-9770
Oak Meadows, Too B & B 209-742-6161
Pelennor B & B 209-966-2832 ($35-45)
Poppy Hill B & B 209-742-6273 or 800-587-6799 ($75-$100)
Rancho Bernardo B & B 209-966-4511 ($75+)
Restful Nest Resort B & B 209-742-7127 ($85-95)
Rockwood Gardens B & B 209-742-6817 or 800-859-8862 ($60-95)
Schlageter House B & B 209-966-2471
Shangri La B & B 209-966-2653 ($50-75)
Shiloh B & B 209-742-7200 ($55-85)
Sierra House B & B 800-496-3515 ($65-85)
Sierra View Suites 209-966-5793 or 800-627-8439
Twelve Oaks Carriage House B & B 209-966-3231 ($65+)
Villa Monti B & B 209-966-2439 ($60-80)
Winsor Farms B & B 209-966-5592 ($50)
Verandah B & B 209-742-6493 or 800-753-0372
Yosemite Bug Hostel 209-966-6666
Yosemite Gold Rush Inn 209-966-4344 or 800-321-5261
Yosemite Way Station 209-966-7545 or 800-528-1234

Hwy 41 between Yosemite Valley and Fresno:

Yosemite West (14 mi/23 km from Yosemite Valley; 13 mi/21 km from Wawona)
(16 mi/26 km from Glacier Pt. (summer); 6 mi/10 km from Badger Pass
(winter))
Yosemite Four Seasons 209-372-9108
Yosemite Peregrine 800-396-3639 ($100-150)
Yosemite - Places in Paradise 209-683-8425
Yosemite's Scenic Wonders 1-888-967-3648 (very nice)
Yosemite West Condos 209-454-2033 or 209-372-4240 (same day)
Yosemite West Cottages and Mountain Homes 209-642-2211 or 209-372-4567
Yosemite West High Sierra 209-372-4808 ($85-150)

Wawona (27 mi/43 km from Yosemite Valley; 8 mi/13 km from Mariposa Grove)
Camp Chilnualna Cottages 209-375-6295
The Redwoods Cottages 209-375-6666
Wawona B & B 209-375-6582

Fish Camp (41 mi/66 km from Yosemite Valley; 8 mi/13 km from Wawona)
Apple Tree Inn 209-683-5111
Karen's Yosemite Inn 209-683-4550 or 800-346-1443
Tenaya Lodge 209-683-6555 or 800-635-5807
Narrow Gauge Inn 209-683-7720; nice place, good restaurant
Owl's Nest Lodging 209-683-3484
Scotty's Bed and Breakfast 209-683-6936
White Chief Mountain Lodge 209-683-5444
Yosemite Fish Camp B & B Inn 209-683-7426

Bass Lake (50 mi/80 km from Yosemite Valley; 23 mi/37 km from Wawona)
Ducey's Bass Lake Lodge 209-642-3131 or 800-350-7463
Forks Resort 209-642-3737
Miller's Landing Resort 209-642-3633
Pines Resorts and Chalets 209-642-3121 or 800-350-7463

Oakhurst (50 mi/80 km from Yosemite Valley; 23 mi/37 km from Wawona)
Apple Blossom Inn B & B 559-642-2001
Days Inn 559-642-2525 or 800-325-2525
Holiday Inn 559-642-2525 or 800-HOLIDAY
Oakhurst Lodge 559-683-4417 or 800-521-4447 (800# in Calif. only)
Old Nip Goldtown B & B 559-683-2155 or 800-676-5647
Opel's Guest House 559-683-4317
Pine Rose Inn 559-642-2800
Shilo Inn 559-683-3555 or 800-222-2244
Snowline Lodge 559-683-5854
Yosemite Gateway 559-683-2378 or 800-528-1234

Hwy 120 (west) (Big Oak Flat Road) between Yosemite Valley and Chinese Camp

Groveland
Brooks Berry Inn 209-962-4663 ($95-$125); superb service
Inn at Sugar Pine Ranch 209-962-7823 ($118-162)

Coulterville (60 mi/97 km from valley, on hwy 49)
Penon Blanco Lookout 888-257-4397 ($75-105)
Sherlock Holmes B & B 800-354-5697 ($80-130)

Foresta (4 mi/6 km from Yosemite Valley)
Yosemite Vacation Homes 209-379-2625

Hwy 120 (east) (Tioga Road) between Tioga Pass and Lee Vining

Tioga Pass (64 mi/62 km from Yosemite Valley, 2 mi/3 km from Tioga Pass)
Tioga Pass Resort 209-372-4471

Lee Vining (19 mi/31 km from Tuol Mdws, 74 mi/119 km from Valley, near Mono
Lake)
Blue Skies Motel 619-647-6440
El Mono Motel 619-647-6310
Gateway Motel 619-647-6467 or 800-462-5589
Lake View Lodge 619-647-6543 nice, ~$75/night (1994)
The King's Inn 619-647-6300
Murphy's Motel 619-647-6316 or 800-324-6319? or 800-528-1234?

SERVICES IN YOSEMITE

Service |Location |Season

Showers ($2) |Curry Village (Yosemite Valley) |all year
|Housekeeping Camp |summer

Laundromat |Housekeeping Camp |summer

Medical and Dental |Yosemite Village (towards the Ahwahnee) |all year

RESTAURANTS IN YOSEMITE

Not all eating facilities are open year-round.

Restaurant |Description |Bkfst|Lnch|Dinner|Reservations
YOSEMITE VALLEY
Yosemite Village (seating available nearby)
Degnan's deli |sandwiches, deli take-out |no |yes |yes |no
Degnan's pizza |pizza, ice cream take-out |no |yes |yes |no
Degnan's Pasta Pl|pasta buffet sit-down |no |yes |yes |no
Village Grill |fast food take-out |yes |yes |yes |no
Yosemite Lodge
Cafeteria |full meals sit-down |yes |yes |yes |no
Garden Terrace |buffet sit-down |yes |no |yes |no
Mtn. Room Rest |family restaraunt sit-down |no |no |yes |no
Ahwahnee Hotel
Ahwahnee |formal dinners, Sunday brunch|yes |yes |yes |209-372-1489
dinner only
Curry Village (summer only) (seating available nearby)
Cafeteria |full meals sit-down |yes |yes |yes |no
Hamburger Stand |fast food take-out |yes |yes |yes |no
Terrace Pizza |pizza take-out |no |yes |yes |no

There are snack shops at Happy Isles (summer), Glacier Point (summer),
Yosemite Lodge Pool (summer), and Ahwahnee Hotel (afternoons).

TUOLUMNE MEADOWS (summer only)
The Grill |fast food take-out |yes |yes |yes |no
TM Lodge |family sit-down |yes |no |yes |209-372-1313
dinner only

WHITE WOLF (summer only)
White Wolf Lodge |family sit-down |yes |no |yes |209-372-1316
dinner only
WAWONA (April-October; weekends/holidays rest of year)
Wawona Hotel |family sit-down |yes |yes |yes |209-372-6556
dinner only
BADGER PASS (November-March)
Badger Pass |fast food/pizza sit-down | |yes |yes |no

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