I remember the fire fall that they used to do. Not sure when they quit doing that, but it sure was impressive when I saw it in the '60's! Thanks for the good info!
mikiSJ wrote:
My first visit to Yosemite was in 1951, and wow, has it changed over the years. There was a huge rock fall that changed the Happy Isles are leading up to Vernal Falls so some of the buildings are no longer there.
Personally, I would head up to Tuolumne Meadows for some really great back country views. Also, if you want to see what San Francisco destroyed in order for water and power, visit Hetchy Hetchy valley. Although it is full of water, it is easy to image what it could have been. Ansel Adams remarked it was one of nature's best creations.
The Ahwahnee Hotel (now the Majestic Yosemite Hotel) has a great restaurant and you don't have to stay in the hotel to eat there. You need reservations to stay in the hotel, but it is one of the better places to spend a couple of nights that I have enjoyed. My father was actually stationed in this hotel right after the start of WWII as it was used as a Navy recovery hospital.
If you are staying in the valley floor area, you might try taking the morning bus to Glacier Point. Fabulous panoramic views up the Merced River (Yosemite, Vernal and Nevada falls), Half Dome, El Capitan, etc,. Four Mile (actually 4.7) Mile trail takes you back to the valley floor and is a good, if not very tiring downhill, hike (you need really good fitting boots and make sure your toenails are cut short).
On the way out of Yosemite you'll be taking Hwy 41 through Wawona. This is the home of some of the largest trees anywhere, the Sequoia. There is a hotel with a decent restaurant at this location.
The Sierras have received record snow falls this year (they just received a 2 foot 'dusting' this last week) and there may be some road closures (in June??, yes, June). Pay attention to weather reports just prior to your trip. If there were heavy May/June rains, the snowpack may melt quickly and the valley has flooded. 1997 was a terrible flood and there was even flooding earlier this year.
Good luck, make sure you have charged batteries and take a million images.
My first visit to Yosemite was in 1951, and wow, h... (
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