Yosemite Help

[Msfitoy]

We're trying to plan next Junes trip and we're thinking of heading to Yosemite for our first stop. You all have always been helpful with great suggestions especially finding things off the beaten path to do. It looks like there's not a lot of places to stay close by that aren't super expensive and on Airbnb there's several really nice places in Groveland, CA reasonably priced. They all say 30 minutes to the park entrance and another 30 minutes to the main attractions inside.
Is this a decent area to stay in?
What are some of the things we should look into doing while there?
Also, how much time should we allow while there?

I'm trying to limit the amount of places (and driving) this trip so we'd like to start off here on Friday May 31st and I was thinking 2 weeks. Several of the places are on Pine Mountain Lake which gives you access to all the amenities there like the beach, kayaking, etc...

Now after leaving there I need some help planning places to go for the next 3 weeks, we're taking 5 weeks next year. I see Lake Tahoe is North East of Yosemite so would that be a good stop and for how long? We obviously want to be in areas that are cooler (the reason we're getting out of AZ is to escape the heat) I know there are nice areas in Eastern OR and Eastern WA but have no idea where and what there is to do. Or we could spend more time in CA and skip going all the way up to OR & WA if there's enough to do there. I see on Google maps there's a lot of National Forest NW of Lake Tahoe.

We don't want to be on the go all the time but like to checkout National Parks, State parks, scenic drives and any other cool sights in those areas. Annie can only hike so much without having a day (or two) off so that's something we can fill in doing too, besides shopping. ?‍ Help! lol

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[Trigganometry]

Hit Sequoia National Park. Some of the trees were around when Moses walked the planet.

 

[AzScorpion]

Do you travel with a dog, or is it just the wife and you? I asked because most national parks are fairly dog unfriendly on anything other than parking lots. We always travel with our dog, and tend to spend a lot more time in national forests than national parks due to hiking with a dog.

The Oregon coast is nice, but might be a longer drive than you want to do. The Redwood coast might be better? Southern Oregon could be an option also. Ashland is a nice town. You could also check out Crater Lake NP (again back to the dog question). I live in Central Oregon. If you do end up wanting to come to this state, please hit me up.

BTW: I just ordered my tailgate damper over the weekend, so you're welcome I've have a slow healing sprained wrist from snowboarding and got tired of dealing with the heavy tailgate, lol.

Thanks for the info Ed! Sorry to hear about your wrist but it's about darn time you finally got a damper. ?

No dog to worry about just me and Annie. I see there's a lot of National Forests out that way so we're open to anything. I just like to lock down hotels/Airbnb's early because they tend to fill up fast. I'll definitely let you know we end up your way. Thanks again and remember to post a picture of your damper installed for your t shirt. ?

 

[EJH]

Thanks for the info Ed! Sorry to hear about your wrist but it's about darn time you finally got a damper. ?

No dog to worry about just me and Annie. I see there's a lot of National Forests out that way so we're open to anything. I just like to lock down hotels/Airbnb's early because they tend to fill up fast. I'll definitely let you know we end up your way. Thanks again and remember to post a picture of your damper installed for your t shirt. ?

I get wanting to book as earlier as possible. We do the same.

Are you traveling with a trailer? Planning to tent camp if no trailer, or all hotels? I can at least share the campsites and hotels between the Sierras and Oregon that we've liked over the years.

 

[underwhelmed]

Joseph/Enterprise, Oregon. Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa Lake, Wallowa Mountains. Absolutely gorgeous. Could be 40 degrees or 80 degrees that time of year in the valley. If you like beer there is the Terminal Gravity Brewery and Restaurant. Miles of BLM and Forest Service Roads to explore. Very remote area. 6 hours to Portland and 4 hours to Boise.

 

[AzScorpion]

I get wanting to book as earlier as possible. We do the same.

Are you traveling with a trailer? Planning to tent camp if no trailer, or all hotels? I can at least share the campsites and hotels between the Sierras and Oregon that we've liked over the years.

No camping or trailer. We've been looking into travel trailers but I just can't seem to justify the cost when most are so poorly built now. Plus I'd have to pay for storage because of the HOA here so maybe down the road if/when we move we'll get one.

It'll be all hotels or Airbnb which I found to work well for us so far. On our trip last month I booked all hotels last July through booking.com (they have free cancelations up to the day you arrive) then found several nice places through Airbnb a couple weeks before we left. They tend to discount their rates as the date gets closer so we ended up getting full houses for less than hotels. But I'd be interested in any hotels and advise you could recommend.

 

[AzScorpion]

Joseph/Enterprise, Oregon. Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa Lake, Wallowa Mountains. Absolutely gorgeous. Could be 40 degrees or 80 degrees that time of year in the valley. If you like beer there is the Terminal Gravity Brewery and Restaurant. Miles of BLM and Forest Service Roads to explore. Very remote area. 6 hours to Portland and 4 hours to Boise.

Awesome, thanks for the info! Right now I'm leaning towards Yosemite and Lake Tahoe to start then maybe OR for a middle ground to explore from there. Sounds like there's a lot to do there too and now I just need to pin point an area so we're not driving all around. I don't mind making two stops (one week each) in different areas if needed.

 

[Ranger Lariat]

Unfortunately this is what you might be facing at Yosemite....

Unfortunately it is not a "might" in "prime season". I live, and have lived all my life, just a few hours away. If you've never seen it in summer then putting in the effort is something you should do - once. It is beautiful, the scenery. But those pix you've shared are 100% dead on sadly.

Late fall (after some snow has fallen) or very early spring are the only times I've gone in the last 15+ years now.

The quote: "loving it to death" comes to mind.

 

[LaBalbe]

We're trying to plan next Junes trip and we're thinking of heading to Yosemite for our first stop. You all have always been helpful with great suggestions especially finding things off the beaten path to do. It looks like there's not a lot of places to stay close by that aren't super expensive and on Airbnb there's several really nice places in Groveland, CA reasonably priced. They all say 30 minutes to the park entrance and another 30 minutes to the main attractions inside.
Is this a decent area to stay in?
What are some of the things we should look into doing while there?
Also, how much time should we allow while there?

I'm trying to limit the amount of places (and driving) this trip so we'd like to start off here on Friday May 31st and I was thinking 2 weeks. Several of the places are on Pine Mountain Lake which gives you access to all the amenities there like the beach, kayaking, etc...

Now after leaving there I need some help planning places to go for the next 3 weeks, we're taking 5 weeks next year. I see Lake Tahoe is North East of Yosemite so would that be a good stop and for how long? We obviously want to be in areas that are cooler (the reason we're getting out of AZ is to escape the heat) I know there are nice areas in Eastern OR and Eastern WA but have no idea where and what there is to do. Or we could spend more time in CA and skip going all the way up to OR & WA if there's enough to do there. I see on Google maps there's a lot of National Forest NW of Lake Tahoe.

We don't want to be on the go all the time but like to checkout National Parks, State parks, scenic drives and any other cool sights in those areas. Annie can only hike so much without having a day (or two) off so that's something we can fill in doing too, besides shopping. ?‍ Help! lol

@DukeCanBuildit , if I'm reading this right, there's a Ranger 5G BBQ party happening in AZ on June 1st? Maybe I can finally check Route 66 off of the bucket list.

 

[AzScorpion]

@DukeCanBuildit , if I'm reading this right, there's a Ranger 5G BBQ party happening in AZ on June 1st? Maybe I can finally check Route 66 off of the bucket list.

Seeing as the Bud Light truck was a failure I've already taken steps for next year. Good luck getting through security ?

 

[underwhelmed]

Unfortunately it is not a "might" in "prime season". I live, and have lived all my life, just a few hours away. If you've never seen it in summer then putting in the effort is something you should do - once. It is beautiful, the scenery. But those pix you've shared are 100% dead on sadly.

Late fall (after some snow has fallen) or very early spring are the only times I've gone in the last 15+ years now.

The quote: "loving it to death" comes to mind.

Unfortunately, everything is that way. The population explosion and development since I was a kid has been insane. I'm glad I got to see Yosemite 50 years ago! Can't even imagine how beautiful Cali was pre WWll!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

@DukeCanBuildit , if I'm reading this right, there's a Ranger 5G BBQ party happening in AZ on June 1st? Maybe I can finally check Route 66 off of the bucket list.

Definitely - I have a huge pig roast/kegger planned - open pit BBQ - going to have to use the master ensuite as the slaughterhouse but otherwise, no problems that I can foresee.

Seeing as the Bud Light truck was a failure I've already taken steps for next year. Good luck getting through security ?

I figured you’d try something like this. That wasn’t a basement I built - it was a bunker and these are the residents…

I’m sure those dudes won’t feel much like fighting.

 

[Grumpaw]

Definitely - I have a huge pig roast/kegger planned - open pit BBQ - going to have to use the master ensuite as the slaughterhouse but otherwise, no problems that I can foresee.


I figured you’d try something like this. That wasn’t a basement I built - it was a bunker and these are the residents…

I’m sure those dudes won’t feel much like fighting.

When they get together this will likely be the result....

 

[maxbottomtime]

Do you travel with a dog, or is it just the wife and you? I asked because most national parks are fairly dog unfriendly on anything other than parking lots. We always travel with our dog, and tend to spend a lot more time in national forests than national parks due to hiking with a dog.

The Oregon coast is nice, but might be a longer drive than you want to do. The Redwood coast might be better? Southern Oregon could be an option also. Ashland is a nice town. You could also check out Crater Lake NP (again back to the dog question). I live in Central Oregon. If you do end up wanting to come to this state, please hit me up.

BTW: I just ordered my tailgate damper over the weekend, so you're welcome I've have a slow healing sprained wrist from snowboarding and got tired of dealing with the heavy tailgate, lol.

Super helpful reminder. I'm planning a camping trip to yellowstone in a few months and bringing the dog. Buffalo gap, black hllls, custer definitely on the list on the way out and dog friendly, but will need to scope out things near the park (or figure out which days the dog is j chilling while we explore).

 

[AzScorpion]

Super helpful reminder. I'm planning a camping trip to yellowstone in a few months and bringing the dog. Buffalo gap, black hllls, custer definitely on the list on the way out and dog friendly, but will need to scope out things near the park (or figure out which days the dog is j chilling while we explore).

We were just in Custer SP a couple weeks ago and it's very dog friendly. All the hikes we took there were several people who had their dogs along.

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