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Trip in April, few questions

PostPosted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:26 pm
by sjordan
We are planning a trip to Yosemite April 9th - 18th. We are flying into Oakland since it seems to be cheap with cheap car rental.

I have a few questions:
1) I keep hearing mixed reactions on this time of year. I know parts of the park are closed, but will we have plenty to see and photograph?

2) Whats the best way to come in from Oakland, I keep hearing some roads maybe closed.

3) Places to stay in and around Yosemite with easy entrance back into the park. We want to stay in a decent place, but we are not rich ;)

Thanks in advanced. Can't wait to see the replies!

Re: Trip in April, few questions

PostPosted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:43 am
by Wickett
Answers...

1) YES! The snow lines accent the rock formations, the waterfalls are falling, and the mountains aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

2) From Oakland head south and pick up Interstate 5. After Stockton look for the 120 signs. Be careful, if you find yourself going North on 99 you missed the 120 exit. After that stay on 120 and it will bring you right to the park. There are a couple of splits on the way so pay attention, mapquest always helps.

3) I am not familiar with the lodging outside the park, there are a bunch of different options while in the park...

PostPosted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:47 am
by bill-e-g
Hi.
Were you planning on spending ALL that time in Yosemite?

Well, probably people have a mixed bag so early in the season due
to the fact that Tioga Road (the road to Tuolumne Meadows) and
Glacier Point Road will still be closed.
If you have never been to Yosemite before this MAY not make much
of a difference to you. There is still plenty to do and see.
You may have to deal with some snow here and there and it may
even still rain and snow at that time of year.
If the weather cooperates there is a number of hikes you can still do.
- Nevada Falls, Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake, Bridalviel, Old Inspiration Pt.
The cables to Half Dome won't be up yet so...
You should be able to hike into the Groves of Sequoias without tooo
much problem... (again, snow...)
If you are staying so long then you may run out of things to do in
Yosemite but California is pretty big... :)

To get there from Oakland Airport head south 880 to 238 towards Livermore.
From there you will be dumped on 580 east and that will turn
into 205. From then on follow the signs to Yosemite via 120.
You'll be on 99 and 5 for a very short time.
There's a bunch of turns but it is well signed. From Oakland figure 3 1/2-4 hrs to the east entrance.
No idea how wickett got head south to 5. Just a mistake...
You'll end up something like this : 880->238->580->205->5->120
(ok, you better have a map ...)

Where to stay? Well, there isn't really much on 120. Groveland
is still pretty far away and so is Buck Meadows... the only 2 places I
can think of that have "hotels".
So that leaves you with 140 ... El Portal or 41 ... Oakhurst.
I'd go with El Portal for 2 nights and check out the Valley and then
head over to Oakhurst after spending an entire day in the
Sequoia Grove in Wawona.

Look into the Yosemite Lodge and also The Wawona... they may fit
into your budget.

So you want to look at:
nps.gov/yose website for HUGE amount of info
El Portal
Oakhurst
Lodging inside the park (I'd try Yosemite Lodge or The Wawona if hotel-ing)

Good luck. I understand it can be a little daunting... went thru the
same thing on trip to Glacier National Park. Really use the nps website.
It really has sooo munch info.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:54 am
by Heybooboo
From a long time Yosemite visitor both replies have been spot-on.