Dec ‘08 -FebDec ‘09 Yosemite Guide Where toGo and What toDoin Experience Your AmericaYosemite NationalPark Note: Service to stops 15, 16, 17, and 18 may stop after a major snowfall. Yosemite Guide December 17, 2008 - February 17, 2009 Yosemite December 17,2008-February 17,2009 10 06 05 01

Yosemite Falls. to Yosemite Welcome Special Feature: Facilities Services and and Events Programs Lincoln &Yosemite Inside: Vol. 34,IssueNo.1 Photo byChristineWhiteLoberg Yosemite National Park America Yosemite Experience Your

US Department of the Interior Third Class Mail National Park Service Postage and Fee Paid PO Box 577 US Department of the Interior Yosemite, CA 95389 G 83 Experience Your America Yosemite National Park Yosemite Guide December 17, 2008 - February 17, 2009 Welcome to Yosemite

Keep this Guide with You to Get the Most Out of Your Trip to Yosemite National Park

information on topics such as camping and hiking.

Keep this guide with you as you make your way through the park. Pass it along to friends and family when you get home. Save it as a memento of your trip. This guide represents the collaborative energy of the National Park Service, The Yosemite Fund, DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Yosemite Association, The Ansel Adams Gallery, and Yosemite Institute—organizations dedicated to Yosemite and to making Illustration by Lawrence W. Duke your visit enjoyable and inspiring (see page 11). The Yosemite Experience National parks were established to preserve what is truly special about once wrote, “As long as I America. They are places to be shared, live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and The moon over Half Dome recalls a famous Ansel Adams image. Photo by Bethany Gediman places where everyone is welcome, winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn places where we can re-connect with the language of flood, storm and the An Internationally Recognized Park our spirit. Whether you are here for avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with a few hours or a few days, let Muir’s the glaciers and wild gardens, and get Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is words—and this guide—bring you as near the heart of the world as I can.” internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, nearer to the heart of Yosemite. During Yosemite provides nearly 1,200 square waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and your visit to Yosemite, perhaps you too miles of forests, meadows, granite cliffs, will make a lasting connection with biological diversity. lakes and ponds, trails, roads, and this place. pristine wilderness to do just that.

As Muir understood, there are as many ways to experience this amazing place as there are granite rocks in the Sierra landscape. To make the most of your time here, read through and enjoy this edition of Yosemite Guide. The contents of this publication will give you options for the experiences you choose to have here, help you plan those experiences, provide a listing of services and programs available in each area of View near Dewey Point. Photo: Tom Medema Sentinel Rock. Photo: Pam Meierding Indian village. Photo: Pam Meierding the park, then provide more detailed

Entering a National Park educational, ecological, and historic values; Assistive Listening Devices are available upon Prepare yourself for a wild and provide opportunities for solitude and advance request. Inquire at a visitor center. experience. Yosemite is a place primitive recreation. To learn more about where natural forces—such as how to safely plan your trip and reduce your Weather rockfall, fire, and flood—are impact on the Wilderness during your visit, Sudden changes in weather are common in constantly at work. Here, wildlife freely roams. see pages 8 and 9. the . Check at a park visitor This is a place where wilderness prevails. center for the most up-to-date weather fore- The National Park Service recognizes the Park Access & Parking cast. The National Weather Service broadcasts The Yosemite Accessibility Guide is weather information for Yosemite National importance of Yosemite’s natural processes Great grey owl parent and juvenile. By Tom Whitworth and is bound by its mission to protect them. available at park entrance stations, Park 24 hours a day on NOAA Weather Radio While you are enjoying your visit, be attentive visitor centers, and online at www.nps.gov/ station KAD-94, on a frequency of 162.450 to the special regulations in place to protect yose/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm. TTYs are MHz. Please note that reception may not be park resources (page 9) and those designed available inside Yosemite Lodge and The available in remote areas. What’s Inside: for your safety (page 8). Ahwahnee, and outside the Valley Visitor Center and Curry Village office. Road Information Construction may cause short delays 02 Exploring Yosemite Fire – Police – Medical Emergency: Accessible parking spaces are available just Dial 911 or detours on some park roads. west of the Visitor Center. Call 209/372-0200 for recorded road 04 Planning Your Trip To reach these, enter the Valley on Southside Website: www.nps.gov/yose/ information. 05 Program Schedule Drive. Turn left on Sentinel Drive. Turn left Road, Weather, and General Park on Northside Drive, and follow the blue-and- Lost and Found 08 Protecting Yourself Information: 209/372-0200 white accessibility signs. To inquire about items lost or found at one of 09 Protecting Your Park A sign language interpreter may be Yosemite’s restaurants, hotels, lounges, shuttle Yosemite Wilderness buses, or tour services, call 209/372-4357. For 10 Feature Article Congress has designated nearly 95 percent available for deaf and hard-of hearing visitors. items lost or found in other areas of Yosemite National Park as Yosemite Call 209/372-0642 to request an interpreter. 11 Supporting Your Park Advance notice of 2 weeks is requested. of the park, call 209/379-1001. Wilderness. Wilderness is meant to protect 12 Shuttle Map the land’s natural conditions, scientific,

Where to Go and What to Do in Yosemite National Park Experience Your America Yosemite National Park Exploring Yosemite

Spectacular Vistas and Quiet Corners of the Park

A Valley sightseeing tour is offered in Yosemite through the winter months. The Valley Floor Tour is a 26-mile, 2-hour tour that departs several times daily from Yosemite Lodge. Tours travel by enclosed motorcoach. An experienced guide narrates the tour. Only very poor weather cancels it.

A variety of other bus and open-top tram tours are offered during the warmer months.

Call 209/372-1240 for reservations or inquire at the tour and transportation desk at Yosemite Lodge.

The Incomparable Yosemite National Park Yosemite National Park embraces one of the world’s most outstanding concentrations of spectacular mountain-and-valley scenery. Its Sierran setting harbors a grand collection of high waterfalls and forests, including three groves of giant sequoias.

Yosemite Valley Delicate meadows are easily damaged by placard at the Valley Visitor Center or an trampling, so please stay on footpaths. entrance station that lets them drive to An unlimited array of possibilities await Happy Isles or Mirror Lake. you in Yosemite Valley. Most involve Half Dome, Yosemite’s most distinctive sightseeing and learning about the monument, dominates most views in The winter sport season is now in scenery before you. See pages 5-7 for Yosemite Valley. Forces of uplift, erosion full swing. Badger Pass Ski Area’s more information on program topics from rivers and glaciers, and rockfall all scheduled opening was Dec. 12—a and visitor services available. shaped this famous feature into what date that depends on natural snowfall, we see today. Cook’s Meadow, Sentinel however. Warm weather, lack of snow, The base of Lower Yosemite Fall is Bridge, Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and or hazardous conditions can close the usually an easy walk from shuttle stop Olmsted Point are just a few locations facility at any time. #6. Be aware that snow and ice can with stunning views of Half Dome. make the walk more difficult. The hike Ice skating sessions take place daily, features educational exhibits and a Happy Isles is a place to see dramatic weather permitting, at Curry Village. picnic area, and is accessible to the natural processes at work. It is easily Weekdays: mobility impaired when the path is reached by shuttle at stop #16. Cross the 3:30 to 6 pm and 7 to 9:30 pm clear. Bridalveil Fall is another water- footbridges onto the Isles or Weekends & Holidays: fall that you can visit by car on your way wander through outdoor exhibits detail- 8:30 to 11 am, 12 to 2:30 pm, 3:30 to 6 pm, into or out of the Valley. Winds swirling ing Yosemite’s geologic story. Shuttle and 7 to 9:30 pm. about the cliff lift and blow the falling buses may not travel to stop #16 when To learn more: 209/372-8341 during or water in a delicate free-fall. the road is snow-covered or icy. shortly before open hours.

El Capitan, a massive granite monolith, For a strenuous day hike, you can use Tunnel View, along Wawona Road stands 3,593 feet from base to summit. this trailhead to reach Vernal Fall foot- (Hwy 41) provides a classic view of bridge (¾ miles) and Nevada Fall (2.7 Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Half Dome, From spring to fall, climbers come from all over the globe to scale El Capitan. miles) via the Mist Trail. Do not Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks, and Top: Clearing storm, Yosemite Falls. Note: Please park on the paved road attempt this route when it is snow- Bridalveil Fall. It is spectacular at sunset Above: Each February, fleeting minutes of afternoon or-ice-covered, though. Visitors with or after the clearing of a storm. light transform Horsetail Fall. shoulder next to El Capitan Meadow. Photos by Bethany Gediman mobility impairments can obtain a

2 Yosemite Guide December 17, 2008 - February 17, 2009

Wawona Located six miles from the park’s South Entrance or a one-hour drive from the Valley, the Wawona area tells the story of Yosemite’s human history and pioneer past. The charming 19th- century Wawona Hotel and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center are a history buff’s delight. The center is a collection of historic buildings associated with the people and events that shaped the national park idea in Yosemite. Interpretive signs and a brochure provide a self-guiding tour. Also in Wawona, you will find hikes of vary- ing difficulty to places like Wawona Meadow and Chilnualna Falls, one of the tallest outside Yosemite Valley.

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is Yosemite’s largest stand of giant sequoias (about 500 trees). The road is generally closed through some time in May, but you can ski or snowshoe in. Hetch Hetchy HetchHe

Hetch Hetchy Valley is accessible via the Big Oak Flat Road and Evergreen and Hetch Hetchy Roads; it is 40 miles from Yosemite Valley. The Hetch Hetchy Road is open 8 am to 5 pm through March 31. Call 209/372-0200 for the most up-to-date information. Vehicles over 25 ft. are prohibited on the narrow Hetch Hetchy Road. Once con- sidered a twin to Yosemite Valley, this valley was described by John Muir as “a grand landscape garden, one of Nature’s rarest and most precious mountain Winter Weather and Driving in Yosemite Self-Guiding Trails temples.” Hetch Hetchy is located along Tioga Road, Glacier Point Road, and Mariposa Grove Road are closed each year from November to late May or early June. Other roads are plowed, but the in the northern part A Changing Yosemite expect icy or snowy conditions. Roads may close briefly due to accidents or of the park and now contains a reservoir This one-mile-long walk through extreme conditions. Motorists must carry chains (see p. 8 for more on chains). created by the O’Shaughnessy Dam. Cook’s Meadow explores both To check conditions, call 209/372-0200 for roads inside the park and 800/427- natural and cultural stories of Hetch Hetchy’s relatively low elevation 7623 or visit www.dot.ca.gov for highways connecting to Yosemite. Yosemite. Brochure available at gives the area one of the longest hiking the Valley Visitor Center. seasons in Yosemite National Park. Badger Pass Mirror Lake opened to the public in December 1935. Mirror Lake interpretive trail is Glacier Point The ski lifts, groomed runs, and cross- That January, close to 10,000 people a short loop adjacent to Mirror country ski trails at Badger Pass make it visited the ski facility—proving the Lake, a seasonal lake on Tenaya The Glacier Point Road is open to a destination for winter adventure and demand for winter sport in the region Creek. Exhibits focus on the rich snowshoeing and nordic skiing beauty at the same time. The ski area is and the appeal of combining a visit to natural history of the area and during the winter months. It is closed about an hour by road from Yosemite Yosemite with winter activities. American Indian use. To reach to vehicles past Badger Pass Ski Area. Valley and is located a short distance the start of the trail, walk one The snow-covered road takes you right from Wawona Road at Chinquapin on Nordic ski facilities in the area include mile from shuttle stop #17 to the disabled parking spaces near the to the brink of Yosemite Valley. Go to the Glacier Point Road. (The road is close to 25 miles of machine-groomed lake. The trail begins here. the railing’s edge and catch your breath closed for winter beyond Badger Pass.) track (depending on conditions) and the at an exhilarating view, looking down availability (with reservations and fee) of Indian Village 3,214 feet to the Valley floor. For a trip Badger Pass Ski Area is the oldest ski huts at Glacier Point and Ostrander This short loop winds through to an overhanging lookout, choose the continuously operating ski area in Lake. Snowshoe enthusiasts are asked the Indian Village of Ahwahnee, ski trail to Dewey Point. The road . The lodge and original lift not to tread on ski tracks. a reconstructed Miwok-Paiute usually opens to vehicle traffic sometime village. A booklet is available at in May. The trailhead for snow travel is the trailhead and in the Visitor at Badger Pass Ski Area. Center. The trail begins behind the Yosemite Museum.

Curry Village Tioga Road The Legacy of Curry Village is an easy stroll commemorating the Tioga Road is closed to vehicles during early days of Camp Curry. Pick up the winter months, usually until May or a map and guide at the Curry later. Winter brings ski and snowshoe Village front desk or tour desk. options for experienced parties. Reach- ing via the road is a Top left: Giant sequoias occupy three park groves. serious, multi-day undertaking. An Photo by Paul Bolstad, U. of Minnesota, Bugwood.org experienced guide and avalanche Right top: Valley snowshoe race, 1920s. NPS photo. beacons are among the essentials Middle right: Snowy trails. Photo by Pam Meierding needed for the journey. Right lower: Valley Visitor Center. NPS photo by Erik Skindrud

Bottom: Badger Pass Ski Area. NPS photo

3 Experience Your America Yosemite National Park

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C y r r e Tower N h I C TW Peak

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Pass R Peak s Otter l N l ia Slide Lake a r E F D e h Mountain Burro Green L c S Many Island E Pass Richardson Peak I n S Lake Lake F a 9877 ft (summer only) R E k 3010 m L e B Whorl e Wilma Lake r B Mountain C U Virginia Pass N N T

S O Virginia O k What do you want your experience to be? Y e Y e Peak N r Summit N s k A C e c Lake k i A C r a C N L Kibbie d O Y n AN

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e k r C e Benson Lake e Benson r r Lake Creek Vernon C Pass o n e Upper Cab a c e Volunteer M McCabe E l k n K E Laurel Mount r e Peak M Lake A N u c L Lake e C t a k Gibson r R b e e

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HET Rancheria Falls Virginia

CH CH U D c Highway 120 MEADOW T Y N Tioga Peak E O O Lake NATURAL AREA Lee Vining H R fi

E O closed in winter No swimming S M R i 11526ft

E Y O’Shaughnessy or boating R c 3513m V N open year-round, 24 hours a day. O IA a A

Dam R P Hetch Hetchy IR White E C

H Y Backpackers Camp C N Mountain E CANYO OF N D TH k 120 L (wilderness permit required) AN E e L A GR T re A R PATE UO D C V L L U VALLEY M O Young Lakes Ellery Lake N C T E Ragged U ad Vehicle $20 A o Smith Peak Waterwheel Peak Gaylor N R E R Tioga Lake P 7751 ft IV Granite Peak O Falls E ss O y 2363 m e k Lakes P R n e Entrance h T n e c u o r t C C 9945ft Valid for 7 days o e 4 lu Glen Aulin 3031m r m e H YOSEMITE WILDERNESS n Gaylor Lakes v Hetch e Tioga Road closed November i M S R o to May west of this point Harden r W ri Ten s O Lake o R ey Hetch Hetchy Entrance n Lakes iv n D la A (open limited hours) e e Dog Lake E r D 13057ft e M Individual $10 3979m Tuolumn YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Pothole A Mather Grant Lembert Dome N Fork Dome DA Lakes er Birch Riv TU a In a bus, on foot, bicycle, motor- OLUMN an Lake Tuolumne Peak E D Mount Gibbs e 10845ft mn Fairview MEADOWS Facilities along Tioga Road 12764 ft lu White Wolf 3306m 3890 m uo Dome available summer only E T cycle, or horse. Valid for 7 days. v d Medlicott L e le Lukens a y r dd l e g Mi Lake o Dome i Cathedral ll R a

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r available summer only e Sunrise Lakes Lake o O u e t Fo r R h m C Y C A

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T S m r Mount Peak r east of this point Emeric e e k Clouds Rest

3 a h Watkins Lake c Vogelsang B e k s

r a 9926 ft et Donohue Peak i a y e g e l k t 12023 ft

r a e F Peak c 3025 m O TUOLUMNE n r e C C e k e T 3665 m a 1 r T r il a GROVE a k n C d Bernice lat F Ro e J s a Tamarack Flat i d r Lake o n e Babcock Lake h Interagency Senior Pass $10 u Waugh Yosemite Valley Visitor Center S Donohue d n

Crane Flat Lake a Pass Merced s c i M s w Lake e a L MERCED C erc u C e i (Lifetime) GROVE r M d r e Mount Maclure T B e Half r k a i il g Dome iver R Mount Florence O Y Y LE Merced Lake 12561ft 13114 ft For U.S. citizens or permanent C a E L Bunnell r k El Capitan VA 3829 m 3997m a L L Tunnel Glacier IT ITE Point Merced Lake n F L TLE YOSEM e l A (summer only) a Point V C t Valley View M r R Tunnel E residents 62 and over. e Tunnel T o d Y O M I s e S E s k Washburn C SEE VALLEY MAP BELOW rk r Tunnel View Lake Fo e e ll k Inspiration ye Dewey Mount Starr King L Banner Peak Foresta Point Point 9092 ft 12936 ft STANISLAUS 2771 m 3943 m Interagency Access Pass (Free) Old Inspiration Mount Ansel Adams Arch Rock Point 11760ft Entrance Grouse Cre 11522 ft 3584m NATIONAL FOREST ek 3512 m Glacier Point Road Foerster Peak (Lifetime) McGURK 12057ft 13142 ft Portal Ro closed November to 4006 m El ad MEADOW Illilo 3675m May east of this point uet te

Glacier P El Portal oint For permanently disabled U.S. Rd MONO k 140 SUMMIT r MEADOW C d MEADOW o Long Mountain ce H C L r Ri er F e v r 11502 ft Bridalveil O e A M e R k 3506 m

Creek R k I Badger Pass Z a citizens or permanent residents. K O e Isberg Chinquapin Ski Area W Red Peak P E B N Peak To Merced (winter only) M S r 11699 ft T i YOSEMITE WILDERNESS H Yosemite E F R R E A A d 3566 m N West D L a I A e N E S O L l D l S v k Isberg R I D G W e N p ANSEL ADAMS E G i S e

il r Pass

E e G T

North r O ttow E C ay Lakes C WILDERNESS Campground Reservations r 0 5 Kilometers e Post Peak Pass e Ostrander k Ski Hut 11726 ft Triple ta Lower Merced Divide Post Peak 0 5 Miles Hart is 3574 m Ostrander Lake V Pass Lake Peak 877/444-6777 Lakes Upper

W k HORSE a Merced Pass e n e R Merced Pass a r ID e Lake

w C G u E Visiting Yosemite Wilderness on Foot B www.recreation.gov o T Bishop n ES

Free wilderness permits are required year-round for all a CR A IST overnight trips into Yosemite Wilderness. A V

k BUEN R e Wilderness permit station; and/or o e Moraine

a r ek d C Buena get free wilderness permit Pacific Crest Trail re Mountain

C here (summer only) er Vista Peak Yosemite Area Regional Ald 9709 ft Trail Givens Fernandez 2959 m Royal Arch E Lake Pass G a Lake D ln I a Breeze Transportation System Natural areas present hazards. You are responsible for your R u Lake ln R hi safety. Be prepared for rapidly-changing weather conditions. E C Ch Gale Peak N ain Do not use this map for hiking. USGS topographic maps or R Johnson L 10693ft TU ake (YARTS) www.yarts.com detailed trail maps are available at visitor centers. Chilnualna Fall Crescent Lake s 3259m Wawona Dome Lake Buck Camp (summer only) Sing Peak Visiting Yosemite National Park by Road 10552ft Some roads may be closed or have detours or delays. Visit Wawona Wawona Information Station 3216 m Lodging Reservations www.nps.gov/yose or phone 209-372-0200 for updated (summer only) Chiquito Pass information. Pioneer Yosemite So rced uth Me River 801/559-5000 Paved road Unpaved road History Center Fork BE AWARE: Tioga Road and Ranger station Horseback riding Mariposa Grove Road Glacier Point Road are closed www.yosemitepark.com closed in winter SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST Gas station Campground South MARIPOSA SIERRA Entrance GROVE 2 Food service and High Sierra Camp Mariposa Grove to vehicle traffic in winter. They lodging (by reservation only) NATIONAL Fish Camp info outside the park Picnic area Other public FOREST 41 generally reopen in May. campground To Fresno West Highway 120 Yosemite Chamber of Commerce 800/449-9120 or 209/962-0429 Yosemite Valley Crane Flat Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau Yosemite Valley is world famous Crane Flat is a pleasant forest 1 3 800/446-1333 for its impressive waterfalls, cliffs, and meadow area located 16 www.thegreatunfenced.com and unusual rock formations. Snow miles from Yosemite Valley at the occassionally blankets the Valley, but it is Highway 41 junction of Big Oak Flat and Tioga Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau open year round and may be reached via Roads. To see giant sequoias, park at 559/683-4636 Highway 41 from Fresno, Highway 140 the Tuolumne Grove parking area, and www.yosemitethisyear.com from Merced, Highway 120 west from walk, ski or snowshoe one steep mile Manteca. down to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Highway 132/49 Sequoias. Or, park at Merced Grove Coulterville Visitor Center trailhead and walk (ski or snowshoe) 2 209/878-3074 Wawona and steep miles down to this small grove. Highway 140/49 Mariposa Grove Yosemite Mariposa Tourism Bureau The Mariposa Grove of Giant 2 866/425-3366 or 209/966-7081 Sequoias is located 36 miles Hetch Hetchy www.homeofyosemite.com (1¼ hours) south of Yosemite Valley via Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, a source the Wawona Road (Highway 41), two 4 Highway 120 East of drinking water and hydroelectric miles from the park’s South Entrance Lee Vining Chamber of power for the City of San Francisco, is also station. The road to the Mariposa Grove Commerce and home to spectacular scenery and the is closed from sometime in December to Visitor Center starting point for many wilderness trails. 760/647-6629 April. The nearby Pioneer Yosemite Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is located 40 www.leevining.com History Center in Wawona is a collection miles from Yosemite Valley via Highway of historic buildings associated with California Welcome Center, 120 and Evergreen and Hetch Hetchy people and events that shaped the national Merced Roads. The Hetch Hetchy Road is open 8 park idea in Yosemite. 800/446-5353 or 209/384-2791 Above: Yosemite’s giant sequoia groves usually have more am to 5 pm through March 31. www.yosemite-gateway.org snow than this in winter, so travel by skis or snowshoes is recommended. Photo by Christine White Loberg

4 Yosemite Guide December 17, 2008 - February 17, 2009 Events and Programs

Where to go and what to do.

Yosemite Valley Badger Pass Wawona

9:00am Wee Wild Ones (Except Jan. 4, 11, 18, and Feb. 8) ¾ hr. Stories & activities for kids 8:30am Adventure Hike—Snowshoe to 6 & under. The Ahwahnee Great Lounge Fireplace (DNC) Dewey Point 1:00pm Crane Flat to Vista Snowshoe Walk Conditions permitting. 6 ½ hours. Meet at nordic (Starts in January; except Jan. 11, 18, Feb. 8 and 15) 3 hrs. No experience required. center. Tickets/info at any park tour desk. (YMS) $ Advance sign up/tickets at any tour desk. (DNC) $ 10:30am Snowshoe Walk—Explore the Forest Family winter celebration (Feb. 15 only) 3 hrs. Curry Village Pavilion (DNC) in Winter 2:00pm Ranger Stroll - Rivers and Waterfalls 1½ hrs. Shuttle stop #6. (NPS) Conditions permitting. 2 hrs. Meet at ranger office 2:30pm History of Bracebridge Talk A-frame for naturalist tour of winter landscape.

Sunday Bring warm clothing; snowshoes provided (Dec. 21 only) ½ hr. The Ahwahnee Winter Club Room (DNC) (suggested donation $5). (NPS) 7:00pm Evening Program 1 hr. Check local postings for venue & topic. (DNC) 6:30pm Full Moon Snowshoe Walk Winter Theater Live! The Spirit of John Muir: Stories of Ice and Snow (Jan. 11 and Feb. 8 only) 2 hrs. No experience (Dec. 21 and 28) 1 hr. Yosemite Lodge at the Falls Cliff Room. Tickets at Lodge tour desk, or required. Advance sign up at any tour desk. at door, if available. (DNC) $ Meet at Badger Pass Lodge. (DNC) $ 2:00pm Ranger Stroll - Yosemite’s First People 10:30am Snowshoe Walk—Explore the Forest in 1 ½ hrs. Front of Yosemite Museum (NPS) Winter Conditions permitting. 2 hrs. Meet at 2:30pm History of Bracebridge Talk ranger A-frame for naturalist tour of winter land- scape. Dress warm; snowshoes provided (Dec. 22 only) ½ hr. The Ahwahnee Winter Club Room (DNC) (suggested donation $5). (NPS) 4:00pm Winter Twilight Stroll 6:30pm Full Moon Snowshoe Walk

Monday (Except Jan. 19) 1 hr. The Ahwahnee Patio (DNC) (Feb. 9 only) 2 hrs. No experience required. 7:00pm Evening Program 1 hr. Check local postings for venue & topic. (NPS) Advance sign up at any tour desk. Meet at Badger Pass Lodge. (DNC) $ 9:00am Photography Walk 2 hrs. Limited space. Reservations required. Sign up & meet at Ansel 10:30am Snowshoe Walk—Explore the Forest in 5:30pm Vintage Music of Adams Gallery (conditions permitting) (AAG) Winter Yosemite 12:00pm Yosemite Forum Conditions permitting. 2 hrs. Meet at ranger office (Dec. 23 and 30 only) 4 hrs. (Jan. 13 and Feb. 10 only) 1 hr. Selected lectures by park scientists. East Auditorium (NPS) A-frame for naturalist tour of winter landscape. Live music and historical 12:30pm Using Your Digital Camera Class Bring warm clothing; snowshoes provided programs with pianist/singer (suggested donation $5). (NPS) Tom Bopp. Programs are (Except Dec. 23) 4 hrs. Sign up and meet at the Ansel Adams Gallery. (AAG) $ available by request, usually 2:00pm Ranger Stroll - Trees given at 8:30pm. Drop by the 1 ½ hrs. The Ahwahnee, Shuttle Stop #3 (NPS) piano early in the evening and Tuesday 3:00pm storytime (Dec. 30 only) ½ hr. The Ahwahnee Great Lounge Fireplace (DNC) ask Tom for details. Wawona 7:00pm Evening Program 1 hr. Check local postings for venue & topic. (DNC) Hotel lounge (DNC) Winter Theater Live! The Spirit of John Muir: Stories of Ice and Snow (Dec. 23 only) 1 hr. Yosemite Lodge at the Falls Cliff Room. Tickets at Lodge tour desk, or at door, if available. (DNC) $ 11:30pm History of Bracebridge Talk 8:30am Adventure Hike—Snowshoe to 5:30pm Vintage Music of (Dec. 24 only) ½ hr. The Ahwahnee Winter Club Room (DNC) Dewey Point Yosemite 1:00pm NPS Open House (Jan. 28 only) (Except on Dec. 17, Jan. 7 and 14) Conditions (Dec. 24 and 31 only) 4 hrs. 3 hrs. Come learn about park improvement efforts. Valley Visitor Center Auditorium (NPS) permitting. 6 ½ hours. Meet at nordic center. Live music and interpretive 2:00pm Ranger Stroll - Wild about Wildlife Tickets/info at any park tour desk. (YMS) $ programs with pianist/singer Tom Bopp. Programs are 1 ½ hrs. Front of Yosemite Valley Visitor Center (NPS) 10:30am Snowshoe Walk—Explore the Forest in Winter available by request, usually 7:00pm Evening Program (Except Dec. 31) 1 hr. Yosemite Lodge (NPS) Conditions permitting. 2 hrs. Meet at ranger office given at 8:30pm. Drop by the A-frame for naturalist tour of winter landscape. piano early in the evening and Bring warm clothing; snowshoes provided (suggested ask Tom for details. Wawona Wednesday donation $5). (NPS) Hotel lounge (DNC) 6:30pm Full Moon Snowshoe Walk (Jan. 7 only) 2 hrs. No experience required. Ad- vance sign up at any tour desk. Meet at Badger Pass Lodge. (DNC) $ 9:00am Photography Walk 2 hrs. Limited space. Reservations required. Sign up & meet at Ansel 10:30am Snowshoe Walk—Explore the Forest in 5:30pm Vintage Music of Adams Gallery (conditions permitting) (AAG) Winter Yosemite 12:30pm Using Your Digital Camera Class Conditions permitting. 2 hrs. Meet at ranger office (Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 only) 4 (Except Dec. 25) 4 hrs. Reservations required. Sign up and meet at the Ansel Adams Gallery A-frame for naturalist tour of winter landscape. hrs. Live music and historical (AAG)) $ Bring warm clothing; snowshoes provided programs with pianist/singer 1:00pm Crane Flat to Clark Range Vista Snowshoe Walk (Starts in January; except Jan. 8 (suggested donation $5). (NPS) Tom Bopp. Programs are and Feb. 5) 3 hrs. No experience required. Advance sign up/tickets at any tour desk. (DNC)$ 6:30pm Full Moon Snowshoe Walk available by request, usually given at 8:30pm. Drop by the 2:00pm Ranger Stroll - Yosemite’s Legacy (Jan. 8 and Feb. 5 only) 2 hrs. No experience Thursday piano early in the evening and 1 ½ hrs. Front of Yosemite Valley Visitor Center (NPS) required. Advance sign up at any tour desk. Meet at Badger Pass Lodge. (DNC) $ ask Tom for details. Wawona 2:30pm History of Bracebridge Talk Hotel lounge (DNC) (Dec. 18 only) ½ hr. The Ahwahnee Winter Club Room (DNC) 7:00pm Evening Program (Except Dec. 25) 1 hr. Check local postings for venue/topic. (DNC) 9:00am Wee Wild Ones (Except Jan. 9) ¾ hr. Stories & activities for kids 6 & under. 10:30am Snowshoe Walk—Explore the Forest in 5:30pm Vintage Music of The Ahwahnee Great Lounge Fireplace (DNC) Winter Yosemite 2:00pm Ranger Stroll - Geology Conditions permitting. 2 hrs. Meet at ranger office (Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 and 16 1 ½ hrs. Front of Yosemite Valley Visitor Center (NPS) A-frame for naturalist tour of winter landscape. only) 4 hrs. Live music and 2:30pm History of Bracebridge Talk Bring warm clothing; snowshoes provided historical programs with (suggested donation $5). (NPS) pianist/singer Tom Bopp. Pro- (Dec. 19 and 26 only) ½ hr. The Ahwahnee Winter Club Room (DNC)

Friday 6:30pm Full Moon Snowshoe Walk grams are available by request, 7:00pm Film - Ansel Adams (Jan. 9 and Feb. 6 only) 2 hrs. No experience usually given at 8:30pm. Drop 1 hr. Check local postings for venue and topic. (AAG) required. Advance sign up at any tour desk. by the piano and ask Tom for Meet at Badger Pass Lodge. (DNC) $ details. Wawona Hotel lounge (DNC)

9:00am Photography Walk 2 hrs. Limited space. Reservations required. Sign up & meet at Ansel 10:30am Snowshoe Walk—Explore the Forest in 5:30pm Vintage Music of Adams Gallery (conditions permitting) (AAG) Winter Yosemite 12:30pm In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams: Seeing Artistically with Your Camera Conditions permitting. 2 hrs. Meet at ranger office (Dec. 27 and Jan. 3 and 17 4 hrs. Limited space. Sign up and meet at the Ansel Adams Gallery. (AAG) $ A-frame for naturalist tour of winter landscape. only) 4 hrs. Live music and 1:00pm Crane Flat to Clark Range Vista Snowshoe Walk (Starts in January; except Jan. 10 Bring warm clothing; snowshoes provided historical programs with and Feb. 7) 3 hrs. No experience required. Advance sign up/tickets at any tour desk. (DNC)$ (suggested donation $5). (NPS) pianist/singer Tom Bopp. Programs are available by 2:00pm Ranger Stroll - Winter Ecology 1 ½ hrs. Yosemite Lodge, shuttle stop #8 (NPS) 6:30pm Full Moon Snowshoe Walk (Jan. 10 and Feb. 7 only) 2 hrs. No experience request, usually given at 3:00pm Fine Print Viewing 8:30pm. Drop by the piano Saturday required. Advance sign up at any tour desk. 1 hr. Very limited space. Sign up in advance at the Ansel Adams Gallery. (AAG) Meet at Badger Pass Lodge. (DNC) $ early in the evening and ask Storytime (Dec. 27 only) ½ hr. The Ahwahnee Great Lounge Fireplace (DNC) Tom for details. Wawona 7:00pm Evening Program 1 hr. Check local postings for venue & topic. (NPS) Hotel lounge (DNC)

NPS National Park Service A sign language interpreter may be avail- Programs printed in COLOR are DNC DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc. able for deaf and hard-of- specially designed for AAG The Ansel Adams Gallery hearing visitors. Contact 209/372-4726 Children (TTY) or 209/ 372-0642 to request an YA Yosemite Association interpreter. Advance notice of 2 weeks is and their $ Programs offered for a fee requested. Families Facilities accessible to Assistive Listening Devices are

available upon advance request. visitors in wheelchairs.

5 Experience Your America Yosemite National Park Services and Facilities Where to Go & What to Do

Throughout Yosemite National Park Winter is a time of special beauty and offers unique opportunities for sport and outdoor adventure in the park. Note that some tours and roads familiar to summer visitors do not reopen until May or June.

Demonstrations of traditional skills are Ansel Adams Gallery post office Yosemite presented. No food or drink. Yosemite Village Located in Yosemite Village next to the Main Office Valley Visitor Center, the gallery is open Monday-Friday: 8:30am to 5pm Yosemite Museum Store Valley daily from 9 am to 5 pm. (It will close at Saturday: 10am to noon Open 9 am to 5 pm, the store offers Yosemite Lodge 3pm on Christmas Eve and will remain traditional American Indian arts and Post Office Valley Visitor Center closed on Christmas Day.) The gallery Monday-Friday: 12:30pm to 2:45pm crafts, and books on related subjects. and Bookstore offers the work of Ansel Adams, con- El Portal Post Office temporary photographers, and other Visitor center and bookstore hours are Monday-Friday: 8:30am to 5pm The Indian Village of fine artists. It also offers camera walks, 9 am to 5 pm, just west of the main post closed for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 Ahwahnee photography workshops, and classes. Wawona Post Office office (shuttle stops #5 and #9). The Monday-Friday: 9am to 5pm Scheduled activities are listed on the center offers information, maps, and Located behind the Yosemite Museum Saturday: 9am to noon front porch. For more information, call books, in the attached bookstore. and open daily, the village offers a self- guiding trail brochure and exhibits on 209/372-4413, or visit www.anseladams.com books, gifts, & apparel Explore the exhibit hall and learn Ahwahneechee life. Yosemite Village how Yosemite’s spectacular landscape ANSEL ADAMS Gallery Exhibits The Ansel Adams Gallery formed and how people interact with it. Yosemite Cemetery Dec. 1 - Jan. 15 Earth Elements. Exquisite 9am to 5pm black and white photography by Jeff Conley. Yosemite Art & Education Center Film: Spirit of Yosemite closed for season This historic cemetery is located just Jan. 17- Feb. 28 Yosemite Icons. A group Yosemite Bookstore This inspiring visitor-orientation film west of the Yosemite Museum, across showing of classic images of Yosemite . Inside Yosemite Visitor Center provides a stunning overview of the street. People buried here include 9am to 5pm Yosemite’s splendor. It is shown every Yosemite Museum Store American Indians and others who 9am to 5pm; Thurs.-Sun. as of Jan. 1 30 minutes, Monday through Saturday Top Left: Ranger and visitors. NPS photo by Erik Skindrud played an important role in the Village Store between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm, and development of what is now Yosemite Top Center: Skiing at Badger Pass, 1960s. NPS photo. 8am to 8pm Sunday between noon to 4:30 pm in the Habitat Yosemite National Park. Guide to the Yosemite Top Right: Snowfall softens The Ahwahnee. 11am to 4pm; Friday-Sunday only Photo by Wendy Malone Valley Visitor Center Theater. Cemetery is available at the Valley Sport Shop 10am to 4pm Visitor Center. The Ahwahnee Internet Access The Ahwahnee Gift Shop 8am to 8pm Fee-based terminals are open at The Ahwahnee Sweet Shop Degnan’s Deli. Free internet access is 7am to 10pm available at the Mariposa County branch Yosemite Lodge Special Winter Events Gift/Grocery library, adjacent to the Yosemite 8am to 7pm Cemetery. Hours vary. Ask at the Valley • Yosemite Winter Theater Live! Nature Shop 11am to 7pm Visitor Center. The Spirit of John Muir: Curry Village Mountain Shop Yosemite Museum Stories of Snow and Ice 9am to 5pm Dec. 21 and 28 only, 7pm at Yosemite Lodge. Curry Village Gift/Grocery 9am to Located in Yosemite Village next to the 7pm; Holiday hours: 8am-8pm, (1/16- 1/19 and 2/13-2/16) Valley Visitor Center. • Family Winter Celebration Wawona Store & Pioneer Gift Shop 8am to 5pm Indian Cultural Exhibit Join park interpretive staff for an afternoon Open 9 am to 5 pm. May close for lunch. of crafts, learning stations, walks, and Skiing The exhibit interprets the cultural Above Left: Ranger Stroll. Photo by Bob Roney winter fun! Sunday, Feb. 15, 1pm at Badger Pass Ski Area history of Yosemite’s native Miwok and AboveScheduled Middle: Stoneman opening Bridge Dec. reflection. 12. Curry Village Pavilion. Photo by Erik Skindrud Paiute people from 1850 to the present. 9am to 4 pm daily, Aboveconditions Right: Half Dome. permitting. NPS Photo

6 Yosemite Guide December 17, 2008 - February 17, 2009

Hours listed are core hours for facilities and may be extended during periods of peak visitation. Check local postings for changes to hours of operation. Food & beverage Visitor Services Yosemite Village Degnan’s Delicatessen 7am to 5pm The Ahwahnee Dining Room Where to find what you need. Breakfast: 7am to 10:30am Lunch: 11:30am to 3pm Dinner: 5:30pm to 9pm (No regular dinner service on Dec. 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, and 26 due to holiday Bracebridge event.) Merced Grove Sunday Brunch: 7am to 3pm Wawona Snow Travel to the Grove Appropriate attire requested for Skiers and snowshoers can follow the Yosemite’s quietest stand of sequoias is dinner. Reservations recommended for snow-covered road into the grove. Trails dinner and Sunday Brunch: the Merced Grove, a group of about 20 within the grove are marked by yellow 209/372-1489. Pioneer Yosemite trees. It’s a four-mile round-trip hike, The Ahwahnee Bar 11am to 11pm flags attached to trees above ground History Center ski, or snowshoe (about three hours) Yosemite Lodge level. When snow covers the ground Food Court Go back to a time of horse-drawn into the grove from Big Oak Flat Road here, access is limited to foot, Breakfast: 6:30am to 11am wagons, a covered bridge, and log (Highway 120 West). The trailhead is Lunch: 11:30am to 5pm snowshoe, or ski. cabins. A visit to the Pioneer Yosemite marked by a road sign and post Dinner: 5pm-7:30pm (Sun.-Thurs.) 5pm-8:00pm (Fri.-Sat.) History Center explores Yosemite’s Dogs or bikes are not permitted labeled B-10. Mountain Room Lounge history and explains how Yosemite was 4:30pm - 11pm (Mon.-Fri.) anywhere in the Grove. Noon - 11pm (Sat.-Sun.) the inspiration for national parks across Noon - 1am (New Year’s Eve only) America and around the world. The Distance & Elevation Noon - 11pm (Dec. 24 - Jan. 1 only) Mountain Room Restaurant center is open throughout the year. Distances below do not include the 2-mile Tuolumne Grove Daily: 5:30pm to 9pm approach from the locked gate near the Christmas Day: 4-9pm Evening Programs park’s south entrance. This cluster of about 25 sequoias is New Year’s Eve: 5-10:30pm near Crane Flat. The former route of Curry Village Join pianist/singer Tom Bopp in the Grizzly Giant the Big Oak Flat Road leads downhill Pizza Parlor Wawona Hotel lobby from 5:30 pm to Saturdays 5-9pm; (also Sun. Jan. 18) Distance from trailhead: from Crane Flat into the grove. The path 9:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, as Coffee Corner 0.8 mile / 1.3km drops 500 feet (150 meters) in one mile. 7 to 11am he performs songs and tells stories from Elevation Gain: 400ft / 122m The trip is moderately strenuous. (Both Curry locations open limited Yosemite’s past. days: Sat.-Sun. after Jan. 4; also holidays, 12/20-1/4; also Mon. 1/19) Grove Museum Wilderness Permits Wawona Distance from trailhead: Wawona Hotel Dining Room Visitors can obtain wilderness permits Outdoor Adventures Breakfast: 7:30am to 10am 2.1 miles / 3.5km Lunch: 11:30am to 1:30pm at a self-service kiosk attached to Hill’s Elevation Gain: 800ft / 292m For more details and information on Dinner: 5:30pm to 9pm Studio, adjacent to the Wawona Hotel. Yosemite Association’s adventures and (Open for the holidays for limited Fallen Tunnel Tree seminars, pick up a catalog at any park days: Dec. 12 through Jan. 6) Distance from trailhead: Reservations taken for 6 or more. visitor center, call 209/379-2321, or visit 209/375-1425 2.5 miles / 4.0km www.yosemite.org. Mariposa Grove Elevation Gain: 1,000ft / 305m groceries Jan. 10 Moonlight Snowshoe 1 – a night of Located near Yosemite’s South Wawona Point Yosemite Lodge magic lighting with Karen Amstutz Entrance, the Mariposa Grove is the Gift/Grocery Distance from trailhead: Jan. 17 Snowshoe Explorations with a 8am to 7pm park’s largest stand of giant sequoias, 3.0 miles / 4.8km Naturalist – a day on snowshoes Yosemite Village with about 500 trees. The road to the Elevation Gain: 1,200ft / 438m Jan. 20-22 Winter Natural History at Village Store Ostrander Hut – learn at a cozy hut 8am to 9pm Grove closes in November or December Jan. 22-25 Winter Landscape Photography – Degnan’s Delicatessen and opens sometime in April. Visitors capture the light with John Senser 7am to 5pm can walk, ski, or snowshoe when the Jan. 24 Dewey Point Snowshoe Trek – Curry Village road is closed to vehicles. Big Oak Flat Gift/Grocery Kendra Kurihara at the edge 8am to 8pm; (Hwy 120) Jan. 31 Discovering the Winter World – with Starting Dec. 1: 8am - 7pm Getting to Mariposa Grove the master of Badger, Dick Ewart Wawona Store & Pioneer Gift Shop Allow an hour’s driving time to reach Big Oak Flat Information Station Feb. 7 Moonlight Snowshoe 2 – Emily 8am to 5pm Jacobs in black and white Crane Flat the grove’s access road from the Valley. The station is closed until spring, but Feb. 14 For the Love of Winter – a fine day Store A locked gate prevents vehicles from wilderness permits are available at a self- for romance with Kendra Kurihara 9am to 5pm entering the closure area. Limited service, 24-hour kiosk throughout the parking is available near the gate. Gas Station winter season. Gas outside Yosemite Valley El Portal 9am to noon, 1pm to 5pm Diesel available. Pay at the pump 24 religious services general services service organizations hours with credit or debit card Alcoholics Anonymous yosemite community CHURCH Wawona Gas Station Village Garage 7:30 pm Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9am to 6pm (Nondenominational) NO GAS AVAILABLE IN DNC General Office Building YOSEMITE VALLEY Diesel & propane. 24 hours Worship Service/Yosemite Valley Chapel (Employee Training Center) Yosemite Village 8am to 5pm Crane Flat Sunday 9:15am and 11am Towing 24 hours. Propane available until closed for remodeling Thurs.: 7 pm; Tuesday Bible Studies Al-Anon 4pm. 209/372-8320 No Al-Anon meetings are currently taking Christmas Eve: 4pm candlelight service Dental Services place. However, if you need to speak with showers and laundry New Year’s Eve: 10pm prayer service; Adjacent to Yosemite Medical Clinic. someone, feel free to call Shari B. at Curry Village communion at 12 midnight For hours, call 209/372-4200. 209/372-4812. Showers Call 209/372-4831 for information If no answer, call 209/372-4637

Open 24 hours Yosemite Medical Clinic Lions Club ROMAN CATHOLIC Housekeeping Camp Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Theater Emergency care: 24 hours daily. Meets the first and third Thursdays of each Laundromat Drop-in and urgent care: 8am to 7pm. Sunday Mass: 10 am month at noon, The Ahwahnee. 8am to 10pm Appointments: 8am to 5pm Mon. through Christmas Mass: Dec. 25, 10 am Call 209/372-4475. Fri.Located on Ahwahnee Drive in Yosem-

ite Valley, the clinic provides routine and Rotary International Ice Skating CHURCH OF CHRIST emergency medical care, 24-hour paramedic/ Meets Thursdays for lunch at noon in Curry Village Ice Rink (Nondenominational) ambulance services, limited pharmacy, lab, The Ahwahnee Mural Room. Visiting Rotarian 3:30-6pm and 7-9:30pm weekdays; El Portal Chapel/Worship: Sunday 11 am x-ray, physical therapy, and Mountain Crisis families and guests welcome. For meeting 8:30-11am, 12-2:30pm, 3:30-6pm, Foresta Road, at top of Chapel Lane Services for victims of domestic violence. reservations or information, call 209/372-8459. and 7-9:30pm weekends/holidays. 209/372-4637

7 Experience Your America Yosemite National Park Protecting Yourself

Experience Yosemite —Safely

Keep yourself safe while exploring your park. Vehicle Chain There are many ways to experience the wildness of Yosemite. While the forces of nature can create unexpected hazardous conditions, with a little common sense and some Requirments pre-planning, you can minimize the risks associated with many activities. When you are visiting from November through March, expect chain requirements to be Avoid Hypothermia acclimatize yourself to higher Protect Yosemite’s Wilderness in effect, even if you only plan Sierra winters are comparatively elevations, over the span of two to three • Pack out all trash and toilet paper/ to park in the Valley and ride the shuttle bus. Any time chain mild, but temperatures can drop into days by gradually gaining elevation sanitary products. controls are in effect, all vehicles until you reach 10,000 feet (Tioga Pass). dangerous territory with little warning. • Use gas stoves rather than wood fires. must have chains or cable chains Winter sports require a high degree of Avoid alcohol, sugar and high-fat meals. ready for use. Not having them • Camp in an existing campsite at preparation and training. Be prepared Should altitude sickness develop, could subject you to an least 100 feet from water and trail. expensive citation. for a bivuoac even when out just for the descend to a lower elevation. The You must be four trail miles from any day. Know how to use your gear and Yosemite Medical Clinic in Yosemite populated area and one mile from carry basic repair materials. Valley is experienced in diagnosing Changes in Elevation and treating this sickness. any road before camping. Because higher elevation roads receive more snow, chains are Avoid the combination of wetness, • To minimize trampling of vegetation, wind, and cold. Know symptoms of required on the Wawona Road bring a container to carry water to (Highway 41), Big Oak Flat Road hypothermia. Carry emergency fire- Hiking, Backpacking, Backcountry your camp from lakes or streams. (Highway 120 west), and Badger Snow Travel, and Rock Climbing starting materials and food. Avoid dehy- Pass Road more often than on • Maximum group size is 15 people dration; carry and drink plenty of water • There are no scheduled winter the El Portal Road (Highway for trail travel and eight people for and carry emergency high-energy food. patrols, so be prepared. Be honest 140), roads within Yosemite about your abilities and plan with the off-trail travel. Valley, and the Hetch Hetchy Road. least experienced member of your • Yosemite is a wildlife preserve. Pets, Traffic Safety group in mind. Tell someone where weapons, bicycles, strollers, and Roads leading to the park are two-lane, you are going and when you are due motor vehicles are never allowed on Check by Phone Call 209/372-0200 (press 1 then narrow, and winding. When traveling on back. Yosemite’s wilderness trails. 1) for updated road information park roads you can protect yourself, • Be prepared for icy travel before inside the park. This recording is other visitors, and park wildlife by conditions arise. Bring crampons, Wilderness Permits updated whenever road conditions change and is the observing the following simple rules: ice axe, climbing skins, and other Free wilderness permits are required for same way in which park staff Please obey posted speed limits. traction devices. all overnight trips into the Yosemite gets road information. This Yosemite’s roads are used by both visi- • Carry and know how to use a map Wilderness. No permit is required for recording includes information tors and park wildlife. Use turnouts to about current chain require- and compass. day trips. Permits are issued at pull completely out of the road, to take ments. Remember that Yosemite Valley, Big Oak Flat, Wawona, photos, consult the park map, or simply • Check weather forecasts. Snow can conditions can change rapidly. and the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Sta- enjoy the park’s scenery and wildlife. occur with little warning, and can tion. Self-service permit kiosks are open make route finding very difficult. You can also call 800/427-7623 Temperature shifts are common. during the autumn and winter, with an for road conditions through- Effects of Altitude additional permit point open at Badger out California (these links and • Avoid dehydration or heat exhaustion; Pass. Call the park’s main phone line for phone number do not provide Altitude sickness may develop in carry and drink plenty of water, and backcountry information: 209/372-0200. information about roads within otherwise healthy and fit people who are bring high-energy food. Yosemite). exposed to rapid increases in altitude. It • Be prepared to set up emergency can develop at altitudes as low as 8,000 More Information Online Information shelter even when out just for the day. feet (Yosemite Valley’s elevation is 4,000 www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/ A summary of chain control feet). The risk of occurrence increases • Know how to use your gear and carry backpacking.htm rules can be found on the park website at www.nps.gov/yose/ with age and with diseases of the heart basic repair materials. Leave No Trace www.lnt.org planyourvisit/chains.htm and lungs. Symptoms include headache, Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue nausea, insomnia, irritability, shortness www.friendofyosar.org of breath, general malaise and fatigue. The best way to avoid it is to slowly Top left: Badger Pass Ski Area lodge. Photo by Wendy Malone

Top right: Snow play. Photo by Bethany Gediman

8 Yosemite Guide December 17, 2008 - February 17, 2009 Protecting Your Park

Enjoy park places, plants, and wildlife safely and responsibly

Keeping Bears Wild

Three Top Ways to Keep Yosemite’s Black Bears Wild and Alive. Remember that Yosemite Bears are Active All Winter Long:

1. Store Your Food Properly. “Food” includes any item with a scent, regardless of packag- ing. This may include items that you do not consider food, such Sow and cub. Photo by Christine White Loberg Around Ice and Water Water Quality grounds, and picnic areas. Please as canned goods, bottles, drinks, soap, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, • Stay off frozen lakes, ponds and To protect yourself from disease, treat respect park resources and keep bicycles ice chests (even when empty), and streams and away from swiftly-moving any surface water before drinking. on paved roads and paved bicycle trails. unwashed items used for prepar- water. Keep children from wandering They are not allowed to travel off-trail or • Treatment methods include boiling ing or eating meals. Do not store on or near these hazards. on dirt paths or trails. for five minutes, use of a Giardia-rated food in your car after dark: use a Permits and Other Rules • Never swim or wade upstream from water filter, or iodine-based purifier. food locker. Remember to clear the brink of a waterfall, even if the To find out more about Yosemite your car of food wrappers, baby • To prevent the spread of Giardia and water appears shallow and calm. Each National Park regulations visit www.nps. wipes, and crumbs in baby seats. other water-borne disease organisms, year, unsuspecting visitors are swept gov/yose/plan yourvisit/yoursafety.htm If you are staying in a campsite or use restroom facilities where available, over waterfalls to their deaths when and find a copy of the Superintendent’s tent cabin, you must store all your and always wash hands afterwards swimming in these areas. Compendium. This document is a food in food lockers. A food locker with soap and water. In natural areas compilation of designations, closures, is available at each campsite and • Swimming is not permitted in the where facilities are not available, permit requirements, and other tent cabin. Food may be stored out Hetch Hetchy reservoir or in Emerald wash, camp, and bury human waste restrictions made by the superintendent, of sight in hard-sided RVs with Pool above Vernal Fall. (6 inches deep) at least 100 feet away in addition to what is contained in appli- windows closed. Do not leave food from any water source or trail. Fishing cable federal statutes and regulations. unattended at picnic areas and Trout season in Yosemite does not open Pets along trails. When backpacking in Reporting Violations until April. A valid California sport-fish- Some visitors choose to bring pets along During your visit to Yosemite be aware the wilderness, bear resistant food ing license is required for those persons on their vacations. Keep in mind, in that there are people who either containers are required. age 16 years and older. When fishing, Yosemite, pet owners have a few rules unknowingly or intentionally harm park 2. If you see a bear, scare it the license must be plainly visible by to follow: resources. Please contact a park official away or keep your distance. attaching it to an outer layer of clothing • Pets are only allowed in developed if you see the following illegal acts: above the waistline. areas and on roads and paved bike You may not see a bear during • Actively feeding or harassing wildlife your visit because they naturally • Trout season opens on the last paths. They are not allowed on other • Collecting plants, reptiles, or insects avoid people. However, if you Saturday in April and continues trails, or in wilderness areas. see one in a developed area (like through November 15 (except Frog • Pets must be on a leash (6 feet or less) • Hunting or directly harming animals a campground or parking lot), Creek near Lake Eleanor, which or otherwise physically restrained. • Picking up archeological items such as act immediately to scare it away: opens June 15). • For the courtesy of others, human arrowheads Make noise and yell as loud as • Special fishing regulations apply on companions are responsible for • Using metal detectors to locate and possible. If there is more than one the in Yosemite Valley cleaning up and depositing pet feces collect historic objects person, stand together to present from Happy Isles downstream to the in trash receptacles. a more intimidating figure, but do • Driving vehicles into meadows Foresta Bridge in El Portal. Within • Pets are not allowed in any lodging not surround the bear. • Camping outside of campgrounds these reaches of the river, it is catch- facilities or other buildings within If you see a bear anywhere else, and-release only for rainbow trout. the park and are not allowed in some • Possession of weapons consider yourself lucky—but keep Brown trout limits are five fish per day. your distance (at least 50 yards, or campgrounds. If you see activities that could harm Only artificial lures or flies with about the distance made by four • Pets may not be left unattended. people or park resources, jot down any barbless hooks may be used. shuttle buses parked end to end). descriptions or a vehicle license plate Bicycling If you get too close, you will be • The use of live or dead minnows, bait number and call the park dispatch office Each season, plants are crushed from helping the bear become used to fish or amphibians, non-preserved fish at 209/379-1992. eggs or roe is prohibited. bicycle travel in meadows, camp- being around people.

3. Drive the speed limit.

Avoid hiking alone. Watch children closely Face the lion and stand upright. Raise The most common human-related Mountain Lions and never let them run ahead or lag your arms. If you have small children with cause of death for a black bear in Yosemite is being hit by a car. Mountain lions are a normal and behind on the trail. Teach children what you, pick them up. important part of the park ecosystem. to do if they see a lion. Please slow down! If the lion behaves aggressively, wave They are attracted to areas with healthy Never approach a lion, especially if it is your arms, shout, and throw objects at it. deer and raccoon populations, which To report bear sightings, improper with kittens. Most lions will avoid The goal is to convince it that you may include many areas of the park. Generally, food storage, trash problems, and confrontation. Always give them a way to be dangerous. If attacked, fight back! they are calm, quiet, and elusive. other bear-related problems, leave escape. Don’t run. Hold your ground, or Sightings are quite rare, so if you spot back away slowly. Report lion encounters at 209/372-0322. a message for the Bear Manage- one, consider yourself privileged! ment Team at 209/372-0322.

9 Experience Your America Yosemite National Park Lincoln’s Yosemite Role

Feature Article

took it upon themselves to ensure that some natural landscapes would be preserved for generations to come. Captain Israel Ward Raymond was one of those individuals. He came to Yosemite and was struck by its remarkable beauty and majesty. Raymond was also concerned by the trend toward private development in Yosemite Valley and the discussion of harvesting giant sequoias.

On February 20, 1864 Captain Raymond authored a persuasive letter to US Senator John Conness urging congress to protect “that cleft or Gorge in the granite peak of the Sierra Nevada…known as the Yo Semite Valley…to prevent occupation and especially to preserve the trees.”

Team effort succeeds President signed the Yosemite park act into law on June 30, 1864. Much of the language in Captain Photo: Library of Congress Raymond’s letter became the language of a bill introduced in the Senate by Senator John Conness stating that “the [Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and Yosemite Valley] shall be held for public Photography by Carleton Watkins in the early 1860s showed Congress, President Lincoln, and other Americans use, resort, and recreation; shall be that Yosemite was a special place worth protecting. Photo: Carleton Watkins/Library of Congress inalienable for all time.” This bill passed February 2009 marks the bicentennial in the Senate and passed unanimously of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. In 1864, the in the House of Representatives. president signed a bill that would The next day Abraham Lincoln signed ultimately create Yosemite National Park. the bill setting aside the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia and Yosemite Valley, to be administered the state of Park’s creation was and U.S. Senator John Conness. California. In 1890, President Benjamin Harrison signed a bill creating Yosemite Carleton Watkins was the first bright spot in midst of National Park. The Valley and the photographer to utilize large-format Civil War conflict. Mariposa Grove were added to the “mammoth-plate” photographs to national park in 1906. “Yosemite was in capture the magnitude and splendor of By Ranger Sarah Dunham fact the first national park,” historian Yosemite’s rugged landscape and the Israel Ward Raymond was a California representative Alfred Runte would later write. of a steamship company who took an early apparent absence of human habitation interest in Yosemite. In February 1964, he wrote Sen. ew visitors probably link the even though people had been living in Significance of act John Conness to urge the area’s preservation. Photo: Yosemite Research Library author of the Gettysburg the area for thousands of years. At the time the Yosemite park act was Address with Yosemite, but signed, it did not invite much attention F An escape from war Abraham Lincoln is an important figure because America was in the midst of a Watkins’ photographs sharply in the park’s history. On June 30, 1864, Civil War. Only later did the contrasted with images of the Eastern in the midst of the , significance become clear; Yosemite was landscape at the time that depicted Lincoln signed the Yosemite park act, the first land in American history to be scenes of battle and fields littered with which protected the Mariposa Grove preserved for public use simply because the bodies of fallen Civil War soldiers. and Yosemite Valley from logging and it was beautiful. The Yosemite Grant be- To many people, Watkins’ photographs other forms of exploitation. These came legal precedent and began a world depicted a place so remote it offered a plots would form the core of one of movement toward land conservation. chance to escape the political and social America’s natural treasures, Yosemite unrest of the time. Watkins’ Abraham Lincoln gave California the National Park. photographs also offered a setting and gift of expansive valleys, rugged Photographer’s role context for the discussion of the mountains, waterfalls that jump from Today, people come to Yosemite preservation of natural landscapes. the sky, and monolithic cliffs that soar National Park from all over the world up to the horizon; he gave California Discussion among preservationists and seeking the waterfalls that seem to Yosemite. Ultimately, Yosemite is a politicians reflected American’s fall from the sky and the monolithic gift to all of us. As visitors to national changing lifestyles. In the middle and cliffs that soar up to the horizon. But parks it is our privilege to explore all late 1800s many people were moving Abraham Lincoln never saw Yosemite. the wonders and surprises woven into from rural to urban settings where Instead Yosemite came to him in the natural landscape. As the owners California Sen. John Conness stressed the importance manicured public parks and gardens of preserving giant sequoia trees of the Mariposa photographs taken by Carleton Watkins and caretakers of national parks it is our Grove in a speech to the U.S. Senate Committee on were replacing wild natural landscapes. Public Lands in 1864. Today, a mountain and glacier and the passionate voices of people duty to care for them for the bear his name near the park’s eastern edge. Some Americans became nostalgic for a such as Captain Israel Ward Raymond generations to come. Photo: Yosemite Research Library more peaceful and preindustrial era and

10 Yosemite Guide December 17, 2008 - February 17, 2009 Supporting Your Park

Providing for Yosemite’s Future

Enhancing the Visitor Experience It takes a legion of people working together to protect this special park for you and future generations of visitors. You, too, can extend your connection to Yosemite well after you return home by getting involved with the organizations that partner to preserve Yosemite.

This publication was made possible by the Yosemite Park Partners listed on this page. Read more below or visit www.yosemitepartners.org to learn more about helping these organizations provide for the future of Yosemite National Park.

The Ansel Adams Gallery Yosemite Association The Yosemite Fund The Ansel Adams Gallery, owned by the The Yosemite Association is a nonprofit The Fund provides broad-based Contact Us... family of photographer Ansel Adams membership organization that pro- private funding from 27,000 members since 1902, is a center that celebrates vides opportunities for people to learn for projects that preserve, protect, or en- The Ansel Adams Gallery the arts and the natural grandeur of our about, enjoy, and experience Yosemite hance Yosemite Park. Fund operations PO Box 455 environment. It cultivates an aesthetic National Park and the Sierra Nevada. result in material improvement in the Yosemite, CA 95389 appreciation and concern for our world The Association celebrates the majesty stewardship and quality of Yosemite’s 209/372-4413 209/372-4714 fax by offering visitors a unique variety of and grandeur of this region through its natural, cultural or historical resources www.anseladams.com literature and art, as well as programs visitor services, publications, outdoor or the visitor experience. Fund grants that inspire creativity. Visit online at classroom, and membership activities, repair trails, restore habitat, conduct DNC Parks & Resorts www.anseladamsgallery.com. which give people of all ages the chance scientific research, enhance visitor at Yosemite to forge an enduring and inspirational education, preserve park history, and PO Box 578 DNC Parks & Resorts connection to Yosemite. This, in turn, protect wildlife. Since 1988 the Fund has Yosemite, CA 95389 at Yosemite builds a commitment to the long-term provided over $50 million to complete 801/559-5000 DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite preservation and vitality of Yosemite more than 200 projects. Visit online at www.yosemitepark.com (DNC) operates hotels, restaurants, and our National Parks. Since 1923, www.yosemitefund.org. Yosemite Association sightseeing tours, recreational activities, the Association has provided important PO Box 230 interpretive programs, stores, shuttles services and financial support to the Yosemite Institute El Portal, CA 95318 and service stations in the park under National Park Service. Anyone who Since 1971, thousands of school-age 209/379-2646 contract with the U.S. Department loves Yosemite and wishes to be become children have benefited from learn- 209/379-2486 fax of the Interior. DNC encourages its em- more closely involved and affiliated with ing in “nature’s classroom” through www.yosemite.org ployees to develop a strong relationship the park will enjoy membership in the the residential field-science programs The Yosemite Fund with the park during their tenure. For Association. For more information, visit offered by Yosemite Institute (YI). A YI 155 Montgomery St. #1104 more information and employment op- park bookstores or www.yosemite.org. experience strives to foster a life-long San Francisco, CA 94104 portunities with DNC at Yosemite, visit connection to the natural world— 800/469-7275 or 415/434-1782 online at www.YosemitePark.com. whether it is in Yosemite, on a city street www.yosemitefund.org or in our own backyards. YI also offers professional development for teachers, Yosemite Institute summer youth programs, backpacking PO Box 487 Yosemite, CA 95389 adventures, community outreach pro- 209/379-9511 grams and service learning projects. For 209/379-9510 fax more information, visit www.yni.org/yi. www.yni.org

Above right: El Capitan. Photo: Christine White Loberg

11 Dec ‘08 -FebDec ‘09 Yosemite Guide Where toGoand WhattoDoinYosemite National Park Experience Your America Yosemite National Park Note: Service to stops 15, 16, 17, and 18 may stop after a major snowfall. December 17, 2008 - February 17, 2009 17, 2008 - February 17, December Guide Yosemite December 17,2008-February2009 10 06 05 01

Yosemite Falls. to Yosemite Welcome Special Feature: Facilities Services and and Events Programs Lincoln &Yosemite Inside: Vol. 34, IssueNo.1 Photo byChristineWhiteLoberg Yosemite National Park National Yosemite America Your Experience

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