Yosemite

[df909]

So we're going to Yosemite this June and would like to hear from people that have been there. I have two boys 8 & 9 years old and we like to fish, hike, bike, and just enjoy the outdoors.

So...what're things we need to do and things that we can skip? Thanks everyone.

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: Yosemite

Can't answer about specific areas of Yosemite because I have not been there since I was a small child (5-8 years old) and do not remember a lot of details, but I can tell you this...It made for some phenomenal memories. It gave me a hefty appreciation for nature and the outdoors.

I do remember "Mirror Lake", that was beautiful. "Half-Dome" was also cool to look at from a distance. Lots of stunning waterfalls and rivers/streams. We went winters and summers and they both were lots of fun. You will not regret taking your family to Yosemite, unless it has drastically changed since I've been there (1984-1988) timeframe.

Someday I will take my kids (when old enough to appreciate) back there.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Yosemite

Yosemite is an excellent place for the outdoor enthusiast. Bicycles are a great way to travel in the valley, and there are bike paths everywhere. Many of the sights and trail heads are only accessible by foot, bike or the free shuttle they have there now to reduce car traffic. Do the "mist trail" hike, it is awesome. It goes up next to the bottom of Vernal Falls and you can get soaked in the mist of the waterfall crashing down next to you. Carry lunch and a lot of water. Also, Glacier Point is an excellent place to see the valley from. It is a bit of a drive if you are in the valley but well worth it. Are you camping? Bears are still pretty active so use the bear lockers in the camp grounds. We are about 4 hours west and have taken our kids, now 6 & 8 about 4 or 5 times already and they love it. There are many things to do and it is an amazing place.

 

[df909]

Re: Yosemite

So far it sounds great. We'll be in a pop-up tent trailer and we'll leave all of our food & toiletries in the lockers. We went to Yellowstone this past summer and I'm looking forward to seeing the difference. Best thing is Yosemite is only a one day drive for us.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Yosemite

We've taken our pop up there and had a great time. Bikes will be really nice to have since the campgrounds are near Curry Village and you can shoot to the store for ice and stuff. Bring lots of firewood. There are showers at Curry too if you like to shower when you camp. Campgrounds are also close to Mirror Lake, Happy Isles, (trailhead for the mist trail and halfdome), and not far form Yosemite Village. Makes me want to plan a trip up there again.

 

[df909]

Re: Yosemite

That sounds awesome. We'll have a bike rack mounted on the roof of our trailer for the trip. I'd like to stay near a place with flush toilets and showers...I'm a whimp when I camp. Have plenty of firewood- every time I go to Home Depot I get some scraps for camping. Are there places to kayak up there?

 

[tractoman]

Re: Yosemite

The Merced river goes right through the valley, and I know you can rent rafts to float down. You could kayak but you would be paddling most of the time, although with the amount of snow this year it may be moving a little. I don't remember seeing any kayakers. All the campgrounds have flush toilets, but not showers. The campgrounds don't have hot water in the restrooms either. It'll get cool at night so the firewood is good to have even though there are only certain hours you can have a fire to keep the smoke level down in the valley.

 

[KeyWestSkipper]

Re: Yosemite

I couldn't find anyplace to kayak, just Bass Lake, but we didn't feel like schlepping all the way over there, so we left it home and just rode bikes around the valley.

We stayed in a little studio condo called Yosemite Scenic Vacations, they were really nice. It's outside the valley, nice and quiet, fireplaces and kitchens.

 

[AngelC]

Re: Yosemite

Bass Lake is beautiful also...its at the South entrance of Yosemite. That is the lake that the movie "The Great Outdoors" John Candy! was filmed at, I love that movie. The lake reminds me of the mini version of Lake Tahoe.

 

[mitchell6]

Re: Yosemite

Was in Fresno for work this past summer and got to drive up there and spend the day, wish I could have spent more time there there's some great hiking-biking trails there. While your there go to the other side of the park to with all the big sequia trees (probally spelled wrong) I did the walk or you can choice to ride for some money but you get a better look while walking the trail. The other ppl are right the overlook is amazing and waterfalls to well worth the trip for me, Hope you and your family have a great time. Don't waste your time going to Fresno nothing to do in that town

 

[df909]

Re: Yosemite

Thanks for all of the replies. We have reservations for March 22nd for 8 days at an RV park just on the border of Yosemite. We're going to bring the bikes & kayaks just in case there's some water. I'll let you know how it goes.