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Highlights of Yosemite in one weekend
A good hike, a yummy dinner, and lots of beautiful views.
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Even in 1.5 days, you can see much of what Yosemite has to offer without going overboard (For me this translates to not more exhausted after the weekend than you were before the weekend) - including a good solid hike and lots of beautiful views.
 Day Note
Got in late Friday night after driving up from San Francisco- just in time to grab pizza at Curry Village (closes at 10:00) and settle into our little cabin in Curry Village.
Curry Village Pizza Patio and Bar
Day Note
Grabbed a packed lunch at the Curry Village grocery store, enjoyed amazing vistas and waterfalls on the rather challenging hike up to Vernal and Nevada falls. Waterfalls were slim in September, but still beautiful. Took a well deserved nap before heading to Awahnee for a luxurious dinner.
This very strenuous, seven-mile round-trip hike gains almost 2,000 feet in elevation. Start at Happy Isles Shuttle Stop Number 16 and work your way through the crowds visiting Vernal Falls, and begin a series of switchbacks to the top. The trail goes up and down a fair amount until you near the top. As you climb out of a gully, you will be treated to the famous profile of Nevada Falls. Be sure to bring water, and wear a hat as well as comfortable walking shoes or boots. The trail may be closed in winter. For your safety, it is recommended that you complete this hike before dark.
This casual eatery is an all-you-can-eat buffet serving breakfast and dinner. Here, each member of your group can find something tasty for a filling meal. You will find bacon and eggs, sandwiches and various entrees including beef and chicken. There are pastries and often cakes, as well as fresh fruit, salads, vegetables, coffee, tea and other non-alcoholic beverages. The dining room is large and has floor-to-ceiling windows providing a view of the park.
A Yosemite tradition this huge and elegant dining room somehow feels intimate, despite its 34-foot ceilings. For breakfast, you can choose from frittatas or omelets, or enjoy a variety of salads or sandwiches for lunch. The dinner menu features entrees such as Salmon Ahwahnee served with Dungeness crab with bearnaise sauce and wild rice. The restaurant has an extensive and award-winning wine list. Reservations are essential for dinner, and the evening dress code calls for jackets or sweaters for men older than 12 and dresses or pantsuits for women.
Top of Nevada Falls Hike
Day Note
Spent the morning checking out Yosemite Village and Ansel Adams Gallery. Then drove up to Glacier Point, stopping at the Tunnel View for a gorgeous vista. Good hiking around Glacier Point and at Sentinel Dome. Stopped for lunch just after leaving the park and then sadly headed back to San Francisco.
Glacier Point/Wawona general forest area is located south of Yosemite Valley in the park. The area consists of granite domes, forested valleys, high waterfalls, scenic meadows and alpine lakes. The elevations throughout this region range from 4,000 to 10,000 feet. Developed areas include Glacier Point Road, which supports a campground, several trailheads, observation points, a ranger station and ski area. The road is closed from Badger Pass eastward during the winter months, but it opens by mid-June each year. Wawona is a historic community south of Glacier Point Road and connected to the Yosemite Valley via Wawona Road (Highway 41). The area consists of two access roads on on the northern bank of the South Fork Merced River, Chilnualna Road, and one on the southern bank of the river. The area also contains the historic Wawona Hotel (built in the 1880s) a campground, store, gas station and golf course. This is a small deli offering typical deli food and snacks. Here you can purchase a made-to-order deli sandwich. The sandwiches can be made from a variety of deli meats or cheeses and offer all the trimmings. Try a turkey and Swiss cheese on a sourdough roll with mustard, onions, tomato, lettuce, peppers and avocado. In addition to sandwiches, the deli offers salads, chips, drinks and snack foods.
Start your day with a fancy espresso drink, a regular coffee or a pot of tea. Add a fresh baked pastry or two, and you will be in heaven. This spot is also perfect for relaxing after hiking and exploring the spectacular natural beauty of Yosemite. You will love the views here as you pause to contemplate all you have experienced. The clientele is a friendly bunch of campers, hikers and others visiting Curry Village. The coffee shop stays open all year.
Named after famed Yosemite photographer Ansel Adams, this gallery displays many of the artist's well-known works in its permanent collection. On rotating basis, the gallery also shows works by contemporary photographers who focus on the valley. The gallery also offers free weekend camera walks when weather permits (reservations required). The delightful gift shop features not only prints of Adams' work but also videos, Native American crafts, and books about photography as well as the valley. The admission to this gallery is free.
Degnan's Delicatessen
Yosemite
This trail begins from the Sunnyside Campground or the Yosemite Lodge parking area via the north side Valley Floor Trail. It is steep with more than 125 switchbacks to reach the Upper Yosemite Falls overlook. The falls flow during the spring and early summer months. Where the Valley Floor Trail intersects the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail, begin hiking northward and up on the falls trail. The trail ascends immediately with dozens of short switchbacks leading up the northern valley wall. The first mile ends at Columbia Rock, which provides sweeping views of the Yosemite Valley, that include Half Dome and Cathedral Spires. Along the trail the switchbacks continue. The view of the falls improves as the trail climbs and crosses an exposed area prone to rock falls. The trail climbs for the next two miles completing 135 switchbacks before leveling. A trail junction at three and a half miles separates the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail from the Eagle Peak Trail. Bear right to reach the falls overlook. A short ascent brings hikers through a highly impacted area with several campsites. Continue southeastward to the overlook.
Yes, this famous deli is located at the Tioga Gas Mart. Although located in an unlikely a spot for gourmet food, it has been favorably reviewed in New York Times Magazine. The sandwiches are huge and the burgers are made with certified Angus beef. The chicken and turkey are both outstanding as well. However, it may be the pizzas that hold the best-tasting surprises. Try Matt's BBQ Chicken Cilantro Pesto Pizza for a real treat. There are also Southwestern specialties such as Fish Tacos and Black Bean Soup. If you are a vegetarian, you will also find plenty to please you. Wine, beer and mixed drinks are available.
This trail begins from the Glacier Point parking area and descends to the Happy Isles area of Yosemite Valley. The trail is eight and a half miles long one way with a descent of 4,000 feet. A shuttle is ideal to reach your starting point from Happy Isles. Hikers will enjoy the views from this trail, which begin upon leaving the trailhead.
Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
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