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Post by Campfires&Concierges on Dec 31, 2017 9:12:17 GMT -8
Happy New Year!
I want to try to catch the firefall this year and I've never been to Yosemite. I always wanted to visit in the winter, so next month seems like a good time to go!
Is Mariposa the nearest town with lodging in the winter? And is it feasible to then drive in on decent roads to get to the overlooks? I love snow, but not interested in driving in it and getting myself killed or stranded.
(Open to any specific suggestions for lodging if they are dog-friendly, otherwise just looking for directions and/or town suggestions)
Thanks!
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markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
Posts: 651 
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Post by markskor on Dec 31, 2017 10:56:15 GMT -8
YOSEMITE Firefall, aka Horsetail Falls -
The natural Firefall is one of Yosemite National Park’s most amazing spectacles. Around the second week of February, the setting sun hits the Valley's Horsetail Falls at just the right angle to illuminate the upper reaches of the waterfall. And when/if conditions are perfect, Horsetail Falls glows orange and red at sunset. Conditions however, are rarely that "perfect".
Maricopa? - perhaps you are thinking of Mariposa...about an hours drive each way into the Valley. Depending on the then current weather conditions, chains may be required in Feb., but you do drive over good roads, (if they are open). Some of the more famous Yosemite roads, those with views - (Glacier Point and 120/Tuolumne), are currently closed for the winter season. Other than the tunnel view, not that many "overlooks" that are readily car accessible during the wintertime as you are visiting a grand valley surrounded on 3 sides by snow-covered, 3,000' walls.
As for dogs, sigh, never been a fan of taking dogs into the park, but there are lodgings in Yosemite Valley that are dog-friendly. If it were me, I always would opt for staying in the Valley itself, somewhere (Lodge, Curry) and not have to drive that 2 hours going back and forth each day. BTW, It can get crowded at Firefall time so make reservations early.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 1, 2018 21:51:04 GMT -8
Pets are rather restricted in the national park. www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/pets.htmMariposa offers a lot of lodging choices I’ve stayed there but only when heading out of the park. Though at 40 miles from the Valley Visitor Center it’s a ways to drive back and forth. Tenaya Lodge is another pet okay option but it’s close to the south entrance, not convenient to the Valley and Horsetail Falls. But it does offers pet packages and is run by the park concessionaire. “Can my dog stay at Tenaya Lodge? Can my dog dine with me? Yes! We even have special packages for Fido. See our Pet-Friendly Lodging page and our Deluxe Pampered Pet Package for more information. Please note that you must obtain prior approval whne making your reservation if your dog weighs fifty pounds or more. As for dining, California law only allows service animals in restaurants, so we can only allow non-service dogs on the patio at designated tables and they are not allowed to enter or exit through the restaurant itself. To see all the policies relating to pets at Tenaya Lodge, please see the Pet Policy section at the bottom of our Pet-Friendly Lodging page.“ www.tenayalodge.com/pages/faq |
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davesenesac
Trail Wise!
Our precious life is short within eternity, don't waste it!
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Post by davesenesac on Jan 2, 2018 21:12:17 GMT -8
I doubt at this late date you will find lodging inside the park at this close a date:
www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/eatingsleeping.htm
The closest lodging outside the valley is at El Portal but over $100/night and also mostly already booked.
www.stayyosemiteviewlodge.com/
Almost everything else further away is still rather pricy.
For those willing to disperse camp for free that is always my choice, there is much outside in Stanislaus National Forest that is 20 miles from Yosemite Valley. In any case bringing a dog into the park severely limits where one can go on any trails, pretty much to just roadsides and developed areas.
The notion of going to Yosemite primarily to see Horsetail Fall is unwise especially if one has never been to the valley. The whole HF thing is highly over rated as pictures are via telephoto lenses that one will not see much of otherwise just standing below and watching. Worse it last very briefly, seconds to a minute. If you have never been to the valley there is far more that will be greatly interesting than HF. Will suggest a visit in May thru early June because that is when waterfalls are most spectacular, vegetation is green, and animals and birds are out.
Also winter in Yosemite Valley is unlikely to be what you think. At 4000 foot elevation that is well below the snow level for even mid winter Sierra Nevada storms, it infrequently sees snow on the valley floor and when it does, most of the time it melts away within hours. Otherwise mid winter there is chilly, shadowed, damp, brown dried vegetation, and gloomy versus May.
If you must stay in valley lodging inside the park do so via reservations several months in advance.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 2, 2018 23:19:49 GMT -8
For simply the weekend of Feb 16-18 the heated tent cabins of Half Dome Village show availability. $79.95 per night. The unheated are $45.45 “Half Dome Village Heated Canvas Tent Cabin - 2 Single Beds Heated Canvas Tent Cabins accommodate 2 people and feature tent cabins with wooden frames wrapped and covered with canvas, wooden floors,... More Information Best Available Rate $79.45 AVERAGE/NIGHT” reservations.ahlsmsworld.com/Yosemite/Plan-Your-Trip/Accommodation-Search/ResultsBut for such a time and weather dependent event that’s cutting it close. How long, and when, were you planning on staying there? Fwiw I strongly doubt that they allow pets in the tent cabin area as it would be a “lodging area” mentioned on their pet page as not allowing pets. Tenaya Lodge has availability but starting at $225 per night and as I mentioned it’s rather far from the Valley (my phone app says 34 miles to Half Dome Village in an hour, winter driving should be slower), though it’s a pretty drive and they’re pet friendly. There’s also Hodgdon Meadow campground not reservable in winter. You could call and ask about it’s usual availability. $18 per night. 25 miles from the Valley. www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hodgdoncamp.htmwww.recreation.gov/campsiteCalendar.do?page=matrix&calarvdate=02/14/2018&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70929&move=forward |
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Post by Campfires&Concierges on Jan 3, 2018 15:48:41 GMT -8
Thanks for the comments, except for the unsolicited opinions on dogs in the parks. I follow any and all regulations pertaining to my dog and do not break the rules or think I'm special and above the rules, so your opinions are not important on that topic. The rules are the rules.
Will look into the recommendations - I know most backpackers are a cheap lot, but I'm not a budget traveler, so $100 a night (or more) is within my usual range. I've been known to splurge on more ridiculous things than a cozy place to sleep. Thanks!
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markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
Posts: 651
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Post by markskor on Jan 3, 2018 21:58:27 GMT -8
Open to any specific suggestions for lodging if they are dog-friendly... ...your opinions are not important... You asked; we politely tried to inform you of Yosemite's policies regarding pets...only to be met by - our opinions do not matter? Seems a bit harsh. |
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Post by hikerchick395 on Jan 4, 2018 10:14:22 GMT -8
 This is what to expect. And parking is quite fun. I'm not knocking it, though, because I'm present in this particular crowd... In our experiences, there has been snow cover, lots of ice and, the year before the above photo, 70* temps. And half of the time, no water in the falls! |
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Post by Campfires&Concierges on Jan 4, 2018 11:18:50 GMT -8
This is what to expect. And parking is quite fun. I'm not knocking it, though, because I'm present in this particular crowd... In our experiences, there has been snow cover, lots of ice and, the year before the above photo, 70* temps. And half of the time, no water in the falls! I love these shots that show the flip-side of popular photos...people have no idea, haha! Kind of like those serene shots of Angkor Wat with about a million people lined up at sunrise. Been there, done that, but it's still worth it for the love of photography! |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 4, 2018 23:27:31 GMT -8
Another peculiarity to both California and Yosemite specifically are their snow chain requirements. California simply has zones where chain use may be mandated in response to conditions while Yosemite requires **possession** of snowchains under specific conditions. The more common state position is they’ll allow chains under certain circumstances but California will require them as can Yosemite. www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/chains.htmAnd while st 4,000 feet the floor of Yosemite Valley is low (and where you’ll be going), it’s not that low: I’ve been in Nordic ski races the beginning of March on the Valley floor.... |
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Post by Campfires&Concierges on Jan 5, 2018 14:45:20 GMT -8
Another peculiarity to both California and Yosemite specifically are their snow chain requirements. California simply has zones where chain use may be mandated in response to conditions while Yosemite requires **possession** of snowchains under specific conditions. The more common state position is they’ll allow chains under certain circumstances but California will require them as can Yosemite. www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/chains.htmAnd while st 4,000 feet the floor of Yosemite Valley is low (and where you’ll be going), it’s not that low: I’ve been in Nordic ski races the beginning of March on the Valley floor.... Hm, yeah, that may be more than I want to bite off at this time. I wouldn't even know how to put them on if I did own a set. I'm the person who will gladly pull off the road and get a hotel room for as long as it takes for roads to clear. I HATE driving in snow, unless doing donuts in deserted parking lots counts! You've given me a lot to think about...maybe I will continue exploring Arizona / New Mexico this winter/spring and put this one on the backburner.... |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 5, 2018 17:21:44 GMT -8
Another peculiarity to both California and Yosemite specifically are their snow chain requirements. California simply has zones where chain use may be mandated in response to conditions while Yosemite requires **possession** of snowchains under specific conditions. The more common state position is they’ll allow chains under certain circumstances but California will require them as can Yosemite. www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/chains.htmAnd while st 4,000 feet the floor of Yosemite Valley is low (and where you’ll be going), it’s not that low: I’ve been in Nordic ski races the beginning of March on the Valley floor.... Hm, yeah, that may be more than I want to bite off at this time. I wouldn't even know how to put them on if I did own a set. I'm the person who will gladly pull off the road and get a hotel room for as long as it takes for roads to clear. I HATE driving in snow, unless doing donuts in deserted parking lots counts! You've given me a lot to think about...maybe I will continue exploring Arizona / New Mexico this winter/spring and put this one on the backburner.... Well there’s a lot of gorgeous low country to explore in the foothills and this IS so far a dry year... maybe just don’t fixate on the ephemeral 15 minute “maybe” if the clouds cooperate and there’s sufficient water flow of the Horsetail firefall event and just route in that area with a “maybe” penciled in for a day trip if the conditions gel snd the roads are clear along with the forecast? For other than such a sunset event (ETA no, in winter I bet sunset is before the last bus, so even busses could work) there’s even the option of taking the YARTS bus in from a gateway community. yarts.comThe Yosemite Conservancy has a valley floor webcam that can show you a live shot of conditions. www.yosemiteconservancy.org/webcamsSnow can be huge fun. There’s a video of a border collie dragging a plastic sled up a snow slope, then dropping it, hopping on it and riding it down the slope and then grabbing the sled to do it all over again! http://instagram.com/p/BdRQdLogZYH |
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Post by Campfires&Concierges on Jan 5, 2018 18:55:54 GMT -8
Snow can be huge fun. There’s a video of a border collie dragging a plastic sled up a snow slope, then dropping it, hopping on it and riding it down the slope and then grabbing the sled to do it all over again! Oh, we LOVE snow...just don't like to drive in it, especially in unfamiliar areas...  |
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Post by hikerchick395 on Jan 6, 2018 9:01:35 GMT -8
Ha...even in the driest years, ice occurring from any type of precip lasts a long time on the valley floor. Chains for the boots are needed too.
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 8, 2018 9:14:35 GMT -8
Yeah, driving to the valley in winter can be interesting.
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