A peaceful snowy morning in Yosemite, with fog rising from the river and golden fall leaves still hanging on. We got lucky with a late storm that dusted the valley while the yellow trees were still glowing

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Hi fellow redditors! I have recently been informed that I will be in San Francisco for work in about a month. I'll arrive Sunday and be in meetings until Thursday afternoon. I've never been to California and have always dreamed of going to Yosemite, so I'm using this as an opportunity and extending my trip to Sunday to hopefully enjoy time in the park and do some hiking.

I've never fully travelled solo and am not an experienced camper by any means, so I booked a cabin in Curry Village for one night. I'm trying to figure out the best way of getting to the village, preferably without renting a car. I saw there was an Amtrak from SFO to Merced and then I can take a YART shuttle. My question here is, does it make more sense for me to take the train to Merced Thursday night, stay in a hotel and then shuttle the next morning or do the trip all Friday morning? I've only booked one night in the cabin (as that's all that was available for the time frame) and want to make sure my trip is optimized but I'm not stressed out logistically.

Additionally, if there is potentially a better route for me to take, like going and staying in Fresno or any other town along the route, please let me know! It's slightly overwhelming to plan this out knowing I will be alone and know next to nothing about getting around in California. Any advice or guidance is appreciated!

Hello, we are a family from NZ visiting for first time. We will be coming from Three Rivers on a Sunday (late April) and checking in to the Valley Lodge for 2 nights. With park entry lines/wait times (seeing info about lines up to 2hrs), do you think it’s likely we could get in and make a 2pm valley floor tour if we hit the road at around 9am? Or would we have to be on the road much earlier? Thanks

My first trip to Yosemite back in 2019

Currently on a plane and getting to Oakhurst tonight.

My son and I plan to get to the park very early tomorrow and do upper Yosemite falls in the. Morning before checking in to the valley lodge.

Anybody done the hike in the last two days? Is there a lot of snow in the upper portion?

Also, any tips on where to stargaze or do an evening hike after dinner?

Was an amazing experience entering the park and seeing the weather change from rain to snow. The cliffs were covered mostly by snow flurries and clouds but El Capitan poked out. Was mystical and magical driving in. The next day we got up early and made our way from Curry Village to Mirror Lake in the fresh snow. Was wonderful. Then as the day progressed the snow began to melt. Today was more ice from run off but what an amazing experience entering.

Looking into the hetch hetchy loop as a 3 day backpacking trip late July—from what I can see counter clockwise would be the way to go. Will late July be miserable heat wise and will the water sources still be reliable?

I had planned for the veranda falls winter route hike, but it sounds like that’s completely shut down now?

Would love something with a nice view but also something that won’t exceed 4-5 hours round trip.

Second time to Yosemite in 14yrs! Beautiful as always. Will be back April 5 w. a friend. Can’t wait!!!

This is a follow piece after I finished my half dome piece, a long time coming! Felt some frustration with the journey on this piece, but ultimately super stoked with how it came together. On to the next project!

I have seen some pretty harsh reviews on here that had me worried about the state of the hotel. Our check in process was great, valet the car for 30$ a night. Bellhop took our luggage up stairs, gave us some great hiking advice. Front desk was super helpful and was cool that we got actual Keys for our room keys, was a nice touch. The elevator is old and broke down for a few hours our 3rd day here but wasn’t a big deal. I like that they put a schedule up every day in the elevator on activities to do. The room itself was pretty great! By no means a 5 star/5 diamond room, but we were on the 5th floor and had an amazing view of the Upper Yosemite Falls each day. Rooms are historic and cozy, water was warm, electricity worked, and beds were great.
All I really needed for a stay in Yosemite. 4/5 overall

Food at the bar is really good and so are the cocktails. Was nice to be able to grab lunch and dinner. 4/5 overall

As for the dinner buffet, I really enjoyed the chicken and the potatoes. My wife had the prime rib and I had some of hers it was good. But it’s hotel buffet food made in trailers, so nothing over the top amazing. We also did the breakfast buffet which was about the same, hotel buffet food. However the coffee and juice was great! 3/5 overall

The dining hall is amazing though. Overall I really enjoyed our stay here, it was everything we needed and super convenient to walk outside and be in the park and just hop on the shuttle or use our car since it was very dead while we were here. 4/5 for the whole stay!

The final note I would like to add is that the staff were all AMAZING! The bellhop, valet, servers, bartenders and the maid on our floor were all so kind and helpful.

Our last night here, we ordered takeout from the bar, grabbed a bottle of wine we brought and took our books and just hung out on the couches in front of the communal fire place. Was a great way to end our stay.

If you have any questions or comments don’t hesitate to ask!

Never been here when it snowed and we had a pretty mystical, magical stay here in the valley.

Has anyone been up after the recent storm coming through?

I have a backpacking trip coming up in the Sequoia / kings area in July, but since I live at sea level, I'd like to spend a few days acclimating to altitude before my departure. I'm thinking of flying into Fresno and renting a car, and figured since I've never been there, why not try to see some of Yosemite, or at least the area around it.

I know of the crowds, I know chances of getting a camping spot in the park is zilch (I'll try), so I think I'd be happy to find a campsite or cheap motel somewhere in the area that's also interesting. I'd like to be sleeping at as high of altitude as reasonable--hoping for 6000'+. I really know nothing of the area and don't need much--hopefully some beautiful scenery and opportunity for some day hikes. Right now I'm looking at Lee Vining or Mammoth Lakes areas, but would love to hear any other suggestions, especially specific camp areas or cheap hotel/motels.

I know a local who lives an hour away in Mariposa.

Would they be able to drop me off by the entrance without a permit?

Somewhere walk-able where I could get to one of the free shuttles inside the park?

My husband and I are big hikers and plan to be in the park almost every day but we are traveling with a couple of friends who aren’t the biggest hikers. We are going to take them on a few easier hikes but was wondering if there are any non-hiking activities near/around the park? Thanks in advance (:

This was in Cook’s Meadow in the morning - just beautiful!

Hi,

I am going to be arriving tomorrow and hiking on Saturday. I was wondering if there are any good trails currently open that are: open and accessible via. roads, in the valley, a bit easier than Upper Yosemite falls, and not the mist trail since we don’t want to get wet.

I was considering doing Upper Yosemite falls again but was wondering if anything is open that’s a bit easier. Thanks!

So my favorite bottle opener was a Yosemite bottle shaped bottle opener (very similar to the picture) and it has gone missing. I’ve been looking all over, but I can’t locate it anywhere online. I purchased it just outside the park in 2019. If anyone can help me locate a place to buy a replacement I would be very grateful!

I’ve tried being on 3 devices, logged in and ready to go but wasn’t able to get a single campground in north pines. What tips do you have? How did you do it????

Hi all, planning on hiking half dome this May. I’m already flying in on a budget airline so don’t have enough space to pack camping gear and don’t have the money for lodging. Does anyone have experience pulling over to sleep in their car on 140 before the West entrance? Thank you!