Yosemite High Sierra Camp: May Lake. Most Popular Trails on the South End of Yosemite The well marked trail to May Lake branches off the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at a point near White Cascades, the waterfall next to the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. The roads in the Valley are cleared from snow in May, so biking through the Valley is a great option. I'm new to Yosemite and backpacking. Spectacular views along the way. Yosemite Falls: One of the easier and most popular hikes in the valley is the stroll to Lower Yosemite Fall. However that is only a target and never a guarantee. We really want to get to the Half Dome and Yosemite Falls area but all those trailheads are fully reserved.. Can we take the Snow Creek Trail all the way to Yosemite Valley into the the Mirror Lake trailhead (which goes up Snow Creek Trail to Tioga Road)? The falls' massive flow of water builds throughout the winter, … May Lake itself is a circular lake that is fairly large. If you are coming from San Francisco, you may be making your journey along Highway 140 which will bring you through the lovely Gold Rush town of Mariposa, a great place for a variety of lodging and a good stop for lunch, museums, and shopping in the Old Town District. The location is stunning though fairly crowded so it does not afford much privacy. Also I have already booked my hotels in all places except Yosemite or Mammoth. San Jose, CA is about 199 miles (4 hours). Surprisingly hotel options near Yosemite are limited, but you can find a few good hotels in the nearby small towns. My friends and I (mid 20's) have a wilderness trailhead reserved at May Lake via Snow creek trail. Newcomers may be surprised to find Yosemite Valley has a dentist’s office, jail, courtroom, auto garage, and church, as well as the more expected mix of lodgings, campgrounds, restaurants, and other guest services. Marvel at the soaring granite walls, including some of the park’s most iconic landmarks, flanking this 8-mile (13-kilometer) canyon. Sightseeing: Every visitor must see “Yosemite's Greatest Hits,” as Gediman calls them, the iconic landmarks of wood, water and stone that define the park. Vrbo offers the best alternatives to hotels. Yosemite Valley is the emerald green heart of Yosemite National Park. There is a max vehicle length of 45 feet. What is the closest major city to Yosemite Valley? Record-breaking Yosemite Falls (2,425 feet high), North America's highest waterfall, is actually made up of three distinct cascades that all rush down the north wall of Yosemite Valley. This trail is 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip to lake and back; 5 miles (8 km) loop around lake it begins at Yosemite Valley shuttle bus stop #17. In 2013 this will be Saturday May 26. Unlike the Yosemite Valley, however, Hetch Hetchy was intentionally drowned when the O'Shaughnessy Dam was built in 1923 to supply water and electricity to the San Francisco Bay Area. I am staying overnight in all above mentioned locations. Camping in Yosemite Valley. Of course, not the way it was originally intended, but that always makes it better anyways. Book your May Lake Trail At Yosemite National Park holiday rentals online. My permit begins at Tolumne meadows, and I plan to camp at Glen Aulin the 1st night. One other lodge is the White Wolf Lodge, but it's 30 miles from the valley. All pools are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when conditions permit. Whereas Death valley is a desolate land, which looks like something from Mars! ... 2017 May - Backpacking Lake Vernon, Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite National Park - … Answer 1 of 12: Hi, I'm going to yosemite for 5-6 nights in August. Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America and a fantastic place to see in the winter. Walk to the back of the campground and across the footbridge to the camp. At the end, you may see the lake if it is not frozen over and covered in snow, but even if it is, there are still some amazing views from back there as well. With 12 miles of paved and flat bike paths, biking is a great way to see the Valley. The bridges feature a concrete structure faced with local stone, in an elliptical or three-centered arch configuration. As mentioned above, even if Tioga Pass is open, it is still another 2 hours drive through the park to the valley floor where most of the most familiar sights of Yosemite are.. Reservations are required and tend to fill up quickly for the period between April and September. The main lodges are Big Trees Lodge, Yosemite Valley Lodge, and The Majestic Yosemite Hotel. Follow the headwaters of the Merced River as you hike past high alpine lakes and old growth forests. Ideal for families, groups & couples. Check the Yosemite Guide for current hours. It ends in Yosemite Valley. Explore a large selection of holiday homes, including houses, cabins & more: over 49 self catering accommodation with reviews for short & long stays. Hidden in the far northwest corner of the park, Hetch Hetchy once resembled a miniature version of the Yosemite Valley, with waterfalls leaping off cliffs and grassy wildflower meadows carpeting the valley floor. RV and Trailer Height Restrictions. Yosemite Backpacking Part I: Tuolumne Meadows to May Lake This backpacking trip had been in the works for well over a year, and I finally was able to do it! Hi! The 1-mile loop is paved and mostly stroller and wheelchair accessible. With its shimmering cobalt blue waters, its a magical place to visit. Yosemite is famous for its gigantic ancient sequoia trees and the majestic granite cliffs of El Captain and Half Dom. The historic visit of President Theodore Roosevelt to Yosemite included three nights; May 15 in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, May 16 in the vicinity of Sentinel Dome (.8 miles southwest of Glacier Point) and May 17 on the edge of Bridalveil Meadow in Yosemite Valley. The tunnel into Yosemite Valley from Wawona road has a max height of 10 feet 2 inches to get into the valley and 13 feet 6 inches to get out. The first mile of this trail is a paved service road that leads directly to Mirror Lake. From Fresno: Yosemite Area Rapid Transit (YARTS) is offering 4 bus rides each direction from Fresno to Yosemite Valley. Whereas Yosemite offers roaring waterfalls and breath taking vistas which overlook pure mother nature at her best! Chains may be required during the winter months depending on weather. Prepare for the long uphill by filling your water bottles there, at McGee Lake or one of the small creeks further up the trail (which may be dry depending on the season) To reach the Yosemite Valley Backpackers Camp get off at Curry Village and either walk or take a national park shuttle to North Pines Campground. Location: Yosemite Valley, California Cloud's Rest is an awesome hike. The turnoff from Tioga Road is clearly signed. Elevation: 9,270 feet. Since "sturdier” May Lake bound back packers usually start their hikes from Yosemite Valley as do the six day saddle trips. I want to stop at Clouds rest on the way. Just as you reach May Lake, the trail forks; take the left fork and it'll lead you all the way to the ridge. The Ahwahnee Hotel (The Majestic Yosemite Hotel): The historic Grand lodge in Yosemite. You can also take a guided horseback ride from Big Trees Stable to Mirror Lake or a half-day ride to Clark Point. Read more about Mirror Lake. Non-lodging guests may use the pools at Curry Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge: $5.00 per adult per day; $3.00 per child (12 and under) per day; Lifeguards are on duty at Curry Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge. Lake Tahoe to Yosemite Road Trip - Lake Tahoe is one of the largest freshwater lakes in California. Yosemite Valley Tour From Lake Tahoe : Save a Thursday for this spectacular sightseeing adventure in Yosemite Valley, for up close views of world famous waterfalls, granite peaks, and glorious vistas.This trip from Lake Tahoe is sure to be an amazing time. Rome2rio makes travelling from Tenaya Lake to Yosemite Valley easy. Hoffmann. Depending on where you are coming from you may see some very interesting things along your tour to Yosemite Valley. May lake is also home to one Yosemites' High Sierra Camps.which does allow for the bonus of having toilet access at the lake. Meander through pristine alpine meadows and past massive granite domes. Yosemite also has a wide range of lodging available. Initially I wanted to stay in Mammoth Lake but it seems to be long drive from here to Hope Valley on next day.