10.08.23_Visit Yosemite - Mariposa County

Beyond

Amazing: Autumnin Yosemite Mariposa County

GoodnightHalfDome: Kid-FriendlyLodging

SmallTownGems: ElPortal&FishCamp

WarmDays,CoolNights: AThree-DayFallItinerary

BringFidoToo: Dog-FriendlyLodging

DEVOTION TOLESS COMMOTION: VISITING YOSEMITEIN FALL

Thefallresetisa beautifulthinginYosemite MariposaCounty.The hikersthin,leavingquiet pathsthroughthemixed forestswherethecooling airaids&abetsclear thoughtsonthefiner pointsoflife.InYosemite Valley,theMercedRiver resolvestoalazyturn,its darkwaterseffortlessly collectingreflectionsofthe surroundinggranitecliffs.

FormanyYosemite insiders,fallisthe preferredtimeofyearto visit.Coolertemperatures andlowervisitation makeexploringeasier;

everywherefeelsjusta bitmorespacious.While humansgeardowninthe fall,YosemiteMariposa County’swildlifegetsbusy! Withwintercomingand edibleresourcesrunning thin,animalsaremore likelytobeoutandabout.

ComeOctoberand November,autumncolors mixitup,acontrastof reds,goldsandbrowns againstthedarkgreen conifers.Leafpeeping becomesaworthyquestin fallasthesunangleslower, daytimetemperatures areperfectandeachleaf trembleswithnature-

madeelectricity.Maple, oak,dogwood,aspen— thepaletteisbroad,and extendsintoalongviewing seasonasthecolorsturn firstinYosemiteMariposa County’shigherelevations, andworktheirway downhill.

Lodgingratesfallwith thetemperatures,meaning thatthisisagreatseason toscoregreatdealson lodgingandmore. Sipandsavorthe harvestwithaMariposa Countytastingexcursion. Fromzestyzinstoorchard-

pressedhardcider,places likeSierraCideroff TriangleRoadtotasting roomsandbottleshops inoldtownMariposa,the SierraFoothillsAVAis theplacetocelebratethe grapeandembracethe apple.

Thechillnatureof autumnmakesagroveof giantsequoiasevenmore awe-inspiring.Thereare severaltochoosefrom, includingtheMariposa GroveofGiantSequoias inSouthernYosemite.

CREATEMEMORIESINNATURE

Surroundyourselfwiththebeautyof YosemiteNationalParkwhenyoustay atYosemiteResorts.Locatedjust minutesfromtheparkentrance,you’ll creatememoriesthatwilllastalifetime withthoseyoucareaboutmost.. YosemiteResorts.com

(888)742-4371

Yosemiteishometo

200-foot-tallgiantsequoias andextraordinarymountainviews. It’seasytoexplorewhenstartingat Tenaya,afull-serviceresortjusttwo milesfromYosemiteNationalParkthat includespremiumcabinsandcottages thathelpbringYosemitecloser. PlanyourYosemiteescape.

VisitTenaya.com

(888)514-2167

ThescenefromValleyViewisenhancedwithcolorfulfoliagealongthebanksoftheMercedRiver.

AviewacrossCook’sMeadowframesHalfDomewithvibrantfallleaves.

WHERETHEWILD DREAMSARE: KID-FRIENDLY LODGINGIN YOSEMITEMARIPOSA COUNTY

Parentsknowthat feeling.Thekidshave beencoopeduptoolong, theWi-Fisignalisgetting wornout,andthere’s anaggingsensethata healthieroptionmust beouttheresomewhere. Fretnot,guardiansofthe munchkingalaxy.That

“somewhere”iscloserthan youthink.

YosemiteMariposa Countyshinesasnature’s playground.There’splenty ofroomforthekidsto shaketheirsilliesout— whetherthat’splaying hide’n’seekbetweenthe giantsequoias,riding

bikesinYosemiteValleyor enjoyingfamily-friendly activitiesinitshistoric GoldRushtowns.And, whenthebellringsatthe endofthisblissfulrecess, restassuredthatYosemite MariposaCountyoffers kid-friendlylodgingthat’s acomfywaytocapoffyour fun-filledday.

KID-FRIENDLY LODGINGINGREATER MARIPOSACOUNTY

Stayingoutsidethe Parkintheuniqueregions ofYosemiteMariposa Countybroadensthe scopeofkids’activities whileprovidingsome less-obviousbenefits: milderwinterweather; morediningoptions, shopping,museumsand localevents.Oneofthe bestthingsaboutstaying outsidetheparkisgreater roomavailabilityand pricepoints.Withalittle planning,yoursunny foraysintotheparkpair perfectlywiththebounty ofthingstodoinYosemite MariposaCounty.

TENAYAATYOSEMITE

Locatedjusttwomiles fromtheSouthEntrance toYosemiteNationalPark, TenayaatYosemitehas justabouteverythingfor thetravelingfamily.With avarietyofroomsfromthe mainlodgetocottagesand theirsignatureExplorer Cabins,thisluxeSierra resorthasall-inamenities suchasswimmingpools (oneindoorand“Dive-In Movies”),biking(bikes provided),gameroom, goldpanning,guided flashlighthikesand Tenaya’son-sitedining.

YOSEMITEVIEWLODGE

YosemiteViewLodge hasbroadappealwhenit comestovisitingwiththe kiddos.Locatedjusttwo milesfromtheArchRock Entrance,it’stheclosest resorttoYosemite Valley

that’snotinsidethepark andisdramaticallyperched ontheMercedRiver.Kids canenjoy4,pools(one inindoors)hottubs,a gameroomcompletewith foosball,airhockey,corn holeandpooltables,notto mentionsometastypizza on-siteatParksidePizza. FamiliestravelingviaEV cantakeadvantageofTesla chargingstationsorleave thecarbehindandhopon theYARTSbuswhichhas astoprightinfrontofthe hotel.

YOSEMITECEDAR LODGE

Locatedeightmiles fromtheArchRock

Entrance,YosemiteCedar Lodgeisaneasyjauntinto theparkwhileproviding suchplayfulperksasa spaciousGameRoom (pingpong,pooltableand arcadegames),multiple swimmingpoolsandhot tub,aswellasitsunique RiverWalk.Guestscan strolldowntotheirhidden beachforaYosemite MariposaCountypicnic, acoolingsplashorsimply somegoodold-fashioned rockskipping.On-site diningincludestheCedar LodgeRestaurantandthe CanyonBar&Grill.

MARIPOSALODGING

ThetownofMariposa wasafinalistfor“Best

Small-TownCultural Scene”byUSAToday, andforgoodreason.Its GoldRushhistoryinfuses theraisedsidewalks withwesterncharm, whilelocalsandtourists alikemingleoutsidethe rusticstorefrontslining mainstreet.Lodgingin downtownMariposais allwithinafewblocks andsupremelywalkable, makingforaboardwalk empireofgiftshops, dinersandmuseums.

Mariposa’sOldTownprovidesafunenvironmentforafamilyvacationinGoldCountry.

AyoungclimberdevelopshisskillsontheTenayaat Yosemiteclimbingwall.

CedarLodgeoffersafreegameroomforkidsandfamiliesinElPortal.

ELPORTAL,CA:YOSEMITE’S WESTERNGATEWAY

ElPortalmayseemtobea sleepylittletownalongHighway 140justoutsidetheYosemite NationalParkgate,butthere isalottodohereforYosemite guests.

WHATTOEXPECTON

YOURTRIPTOELPORTAL

Highway140isaScenic

Highwaydesignatedbythe stateofCalifornia,andit’s well-deserved!Beprepared totakealotofphotosasyou windthroughtheMercedRiver canyonfromthewest.Thiswild riverbeginsinYosemiteValley, andisaphotographer’sdreamin anyseason.

AsyougetclosetoElPortal youwillseeSavage’sTrading Post,CaliforniaHistoric Landmark#527.Thecurrent buildingisareconstruction andhasbeenaddedtobythe adjacentYosemiteRedbud Lodge,whichoffersvacation rentals.Originally,minerJames Savagebuiltastoreonthesite in1849withoneofhismany NativeAmericanwives.

MERCEDRIVERCANYON

AlongtheMercedRiver, you’lldiscovermanycamping, picnic,andday-useareas,such asIndianFlatandRedBud, whichfeaturepicnictables, restrooms,parking,andother amenities.Someofthesehave

raftinglaunchsites.Fishingand swimmingarepossiblehere dependingontheseasonand swiftnessofthecurrent.

YOSEMITEVALLEY RAILROADHISTORY

AsElPortalisliterally“the portal”toYosemite,italsoserved astheterminusfortheYosemite ValleyRailroaduntil1945. Passengerswouldridetherails tothebeautifulwoodenstation (sadlynowgone),thenboard othertransportationtocontinue theirtripintothepark.

Oneofthetown’shighlights istheequipmentandbuildings fromtheserailroadingdays. NexttoElPortalMarket,turn northontoElPortalRoad, andyou’llseeanumberof lovingly-preservedartifacts. Theperson-poweredturntable isanexactreconstructionof theoriginalfrom1907.Just totheleft,you’llseeYosemite ValleyRailroadcaboose#15and theHetchHetchyRailroad#6 engine,whichoperatedinthe steepterrainnorthofYosemite Valleyduringtheconstruction ofthedamthatdeliverswaterto SanFrancisco.TheExchequer Damfloodedthenearbytown ofBagbyinthe1960s.Thetwin watertowersandstationhouse fromBagbyweremovedtotheir currentlocationwiththeother trainequipment.

FISHCAMP: YOSEMITE NATIONALPARK’S SOUTHERN GATEWAY

Thepostcard-prettyhamlet ofFishCampislocatedjust twomilesfromYosemite NationalPark’sSouthGateand theMariposaGroveofGiant Sequoias.Surroundedbythe SierraNationalForest,Fish Campisoneoftherecreational hubsofMariposaCountywith manyoptionsforoutdoor activitiesaswellastheperfect gatewaytoYosemiteNational Park’smanyattractions.

YOSEMITETRAILS

HORSEBACKADVENTURES

Step(ormaybegallop)back intimewithahorsebacktour ofYosemiteNationalPark thatdepartsfromFishCamp!

YosemiteTrailsHorseback Adventuresisafamily-owned companythatoffersavarietyof horsebacktrailridesguidedby aYosemitecowboythathitwellknownYosemitehotspotslike BigCreekandtheGrizzlyGiant.

WATERFALLHIKES

Southoftownisthetrailto JacksonHoleandthreegranitecarvedswimmingholes.Just southofTenayaLodge,turnonto JacksonRoad/BigSandy(Road 6S67)anddriveapproximately twomilesuntilyoureachan abandonedfruitorchardand anolddriveway.Followthe drivewaypastthemetalgateto anabandonedcabinandyou

ELPORTALLODGING

Ifyou’relookingforaplaceto stayinElPortal,YosemiteView LodgeandCedarLodgeareboth greatoptions.Bothproperties areadjacenttotheMercedRiver –relaxbythepoolattheCedar LodgeordineattheYosemite ViewLodge’sRiverRestaurant! Ifabed&breakfastisthekind ofexperienceyou’relookingfor, checkouttheBlueButterflyInn. Visitorslookingforanoutdoor experiencecanstayattheIndian FlatRVCampground,offering cabins,apoolandgiftshopas wellasspaceforbothRVsand tents.

STOCKUPINELPORTAL ElPortalMarketisalsoa greatplacetograbfoodand drinksforyourtripinoroutof thepark.Thelocalgasstation isthelastyou’llencounterwhile you’reonyourwaytoYosemite Valley.You’llhavetodrivesouth toWawonaornorthtoCrane Flattogetgasinthepark,sofill upifyourtankislow.

areatthetrailheadforJackson Hole/LewisForkDitch.

Themostly-woodedtrail travelsapproximatelyahalfmiletothelowestpoolatFish CampFalls.Tocontinue,you mustfollowamanageable,yet unmaintained,pathcreekside uptothenexttwogranite-bowl swimmingholesthatgobythe namesofArrowheadandSkinny Diprespectively.About2.5miles round-trip,notidealforkids butperfectfortheadventurous swimmer.

TENAYALOOP

Withthetrailheadadjacentto TenayaatYosemite,theTenaya Loopisapeacefulstrollthrough theseasonalwildflowersofthe SierraNationalForestwhile beingserenadedbythebabbling ofnearbyBigCreek.Perfectfor allagesandabilities,thehikeis dog-friendly(onleash)andhas somebenchesifyouwanttostop andsmellthelupine.

YOSEMITETOURS

BasedinFishCampatTenaya atYosemite,Yosemite360Tours offersguidedexcursionsinto thegranitewonderlandjustup theroad.SeeYosemiteNational Park’sgreatesthits–ElCapitan,

YosemiteFalls,TunnelView, HalfDome,andmore.

RESTAURANTSAND SHOPPING

Whetheryou’restayingorjust passingthrough,thedelicious restaurantsinFishCampare worthastop.Summerstayseven includethepossibilityofdining outonJackalope’spatio.

StopandtakeabiteinFish Campatoneofthetown’s friendlylocalrestaurants!

Jackalope’sBarandGrillat TenayaatYosemiteisaterrific spotfordeliciousburgersand sandwiches,whileTimberloft Pizzeriaoffersbrick-ovenpizzas readyforthewholefamily.

Whetheryou’restayingin FishCamp,orpassingthrough onthewaytothepark,the FishCampGeneralStoreisa historicalandwell-provisioned outpostforgroceries,beer andwine,souvenirs,andgood conversation.

HikingaroundBigCreekisagreatwaytospendanafternoonexploringFishCamp.

BookaYosemite360TourfromTenayaatYosemiteforacarefree waytovisittheYosemitehighlights!

InElPortal,thereconstructedperson-poweredturntablesitsnearthe YosemiteValleyRailroadcabooseandHetchHetchyRailroadengine.

YosemiteViewLodgeisadjacenttotheMercedRiverandsitsjustyardsfromtheYosemiteNationalPark boundary.

TheMercedRiverTrailonthenorthsideoftheMercedRivermostly followsthehistoricpathoftheYosemiteValleyRailroad.

YosemiteTrailsHorsebackAdventuresprovidesavarietyofoptionsfor trailriding,includingonetoGrizzlyGiantinMariposaGrove.

THREEDAYSOF FALLINYOSEMITE

MARIPOSA COUNTY

It’seasytofallinlove withYosemiteinfall.Cooler temperaturesandfewerpeople makeexploringeasierandmore comfortable.There’snothing betterthanthefallseasonin Californiaforhikingandother outdooractivities.Themaples anddogwoodsputontheirfall colors,andpricesfallwiththe temperaturesmeaningthatthis isagreatseasontolookfordeals onlodgingandmore.

YOSEMITEINFALLDAY1

TAKEINYOSEMITE VALLEY

Youcan’tpossiblyvisit MariposaCountywithout spendingatleastonefulldayin YosemiteValley.Thisisoneof themostbreathtakingplacesto visitduringthefallinCalifornia. Thereissomuchtoseeanddo herethatonedaywillbarely skimthesurface,soplananearly start.

Yosemite’siconsareso accessiblethatsimplymaking thedriveintoYosemiteValley isanincredibleexperienceon itsownasatunnelofgolden maplesanddogwoodsgreetyou asyouenterthehallowedvalley. Youwon’tevenneedtoleave thecartodosomeworld-class leafpeeping.Comingaround thecornertothefirstsightof ElCapitan,LeaningTowerand BridalveilFallatthistimeof yearisenoughtomakeeven weatheredYosemitelocalsget alittleteary-eyed.ElCapitan’s enormousfaçadetowersabove. AndBridalveilFallisstill strikinglybeautifulevenifit’s notatitspeakflow.

WhenyouvisitYosemitein fall,makesuretospendsome timeoutofthecarandwalk someoftheValleyLoopTrail withacamerainhand.BigLeaf maplesprovideabrightyellow canopy.Dogwoodleavesrange fromalightpeachtoadeep redorevenpurple.Manyof themostfamoustrailsstartin

YosemiteValleyandrisesteeply upoutofthevalley.TheUpper YosemiteFallsTrailmaybemore “YosemiteWalls”afterthelong dryseason,buttheviewsofthe Valleyarestunningandthehike willbewarmeronacoldday sinceit’sontheValley’ssunsoakedside.

GlacierPointisoneofmany populardestinationsfora spectacularsunsetexperience.

Fallisalsobigwallclimbing seasoninYosemite.Thecooler temperaturesdrawfamous climberstoYosemitefromall overtheworld.Taketimetostop beneathElCapitanandtryto spottheclimbers.

Takeanextradayandhike totherimofYosemiteValleyto turnthissidetripintoafullday. TrailstoSentinelDome,Taft Point,orDeweyPointareless steepthanthosethatstartin YosemiteValley,butstillfeature incredibleviewsofthevalley below.

YOSEMITEINFALLDAY2

SOUTHERNYOSEMITE

Getupearlyagainonthe seconddayofyourfour-day Yosemiteitinerarytoseemore oftheamazingsightsofthe greaterYosemiteNationalPark area.Thistimewe’reheaded southtowardWawonaandthe nearbyMariposaGroveofGiant Sequoias.

Standingintheshadowsof themostmassivetreesinthe worldissimplyprofound.These statelytreeshaveweathereda millenniumormoreofstorms, fires,andwhateverelsenature couldthrowatthem.Youcan practicallyfeeltheirpatience andwisdomsurroundingyou.

Makeafulldayinthestately groveofSequoiasandhikewell beyondtheGrizzlyGiant,where mostvisitorsturnback.Makethe trekintotheuppergrovewhere theSequoiasareolder,larger andlessvisitedforatrulyunique experienceinMariposaGrove.

YOSEMITEINFALLDAY3

HISTORICMOUNTAIN

TOWNCULTURE

Revelinthestoriesof thecharminghistorictowns surroundingYosemite–with aspicyaddon. Changeuptheoutdoor adventuringforabitof historicmountaintown cultureondaythree.

Takeatourofhistorythrough theaward-winningMariposa MuseumandHistoryCenter. Exploreavarietyofexhibits rangingfromacollectionof beautifulMiwukbasketrytoan exampleofwhataone-room miner’scabinwouldlooklike. Youcanalsoseeaworking stampmillandthe70+-yearoldpressandprintshopofthe MariposaGazette. Forevenmoreinformation onmininghistoryinCalifornia, stopbytheCaliforniaState MiningandMineralMuseum whichisjustaroundthe corner.The13.8-poundpiece ofcrystallinegold,theFricot Nugget,isworththestopallon itsown.Plus,you’llfindfreekids’ activities,anddiscovermany morebeautifulmineralsand miningartifacts. OK,andifyoujusthave tosneakinabitofoutdoor adventure,you’lllovethethrill ofgoingskydivingwithSkydive Yosemite.It’saskydiving adventureandaerialtourin one–withamazingviewsof HalfDomeandElCapitan fromtheair.

LODGINGOPTIONS

Stayinginsidethepark inYosemiteValley,Wawona, Foresta,orYosemiteWestputs yourightinthemiddleofthe awe-inspiringnatureoffallin Yosemite.Theselodgingoptions arehyper-competitiveinthe summer,butasthingsstartto slowdowninfall,you’llstartto

findavailabilityandevensome greatdealsonlodging.

Anotheroptionistosave yourselfalittledrivingupfront andstopinoneofthetowns alongthewayforthenight.If youspendthenightinMariposa orElPortalalongHighway140, you’llminimizeyourdrivingon thatfirstday,andstillbeinan exceptionallocationtoexplore whattheregionhastooffer.

YosemiteViewLodgeisthe

closesthoteltoYosemiteValley ontheHighway140corridor–onlyabouta30-minutedriveto theValleyVisitorCenter–and you’lllovehavingtheMerced WildandScenicRiverflowing rightbyyourdoor.

IfthesouthernYosemite activitiesappeal,alsoconsider stayingatTenayaatYosemiteor inthetownofWawonaatthe WawonaHoteloratoneofthe vacationrentalcabinsthere.

Forthemoreadventurousvisitor,SkydiveYosemiteprovidesan excitingexperiencejustoutsideofthepark.

TheMariposaGrovehikingtrailsshowcaseGiantSequoiasincluding thesenexttotheMariposaGroveCabin.Photo:HoneyTrek

GlacierPointRoadwindspastthisstunningviewofHalfDome.

Goldminersusedmassivestampmillstocrushoreinthe19thcentury. Astill-workingmillcanbeseenatMariposaHistoryCenterandMuseum.

FallcolorexplodesinCook’sMeadowlookingtowardYosemiteFalls.

AWOOFOVERHEAD:DOG-FRIENDLYLODGING INYOSEMITEMARIPOSACOUNTY

Forthoseofuswhogetall warmandfuzzywheneverwesee afaded“MyDogIsMyCo-Pilot” bumpersticker,it’sacomfort knowingthatweliveinthe GoldenAgeofPups.Curledup inthebackseatorpokingtheir nosesoutthepassengerwindow, ourfurryfriendsareatrusted partofourlivesathomeand ontheroad.Buttravelingwith petsrequiresabitofresearch, especiallywhenitcomesto findingtherightlodging.

Fortunately,dog-friendly accommodationscanbefound throughoutYosemiteMariposa County.Whetheryouandyour sidekickwanttowalkapetapprovedtrailinYosemiteValley, playfetchinLakeMcClure orexplorethesurrounding NationalForests,there’sapup paradisewaitingjustaroundthe nextturn.

DOG-FRIENDLYLODGING

INYOSEMITENATIONAL

PARK

StayinginsideYosemite

NationalParkwithyourdog isindeedanunforgettable experience.Freshair,lotsofnew smellsdriftingontheSierra wind,andbeaucoupphotoops withyourpuparejustafew delights.

There’snothingliketaking apeacefulstrollinYosemite Valleysurroundedbytowering landmarkssuchasHalfDome, ElCapitan,andYosemiteFalls.

Forpup-approvedovernights, campgroundsinYosemiteValley welcomewell-behaved,leashed dogsintheheartoftheaction.

Withitsunsungcascade atChilnualnaFalls,theoftoverlookedSouthForkofthe MercedRiverandtheMariposa GroveofGiantSequoias, SouthernYosemite’sdogwhistle isstrong.Apet-friendlyWawona cabinrentaloracozysleeping bagatWawonaCampground makespaw-fectsense.Cabin rentalsinWawona,Yosemite WestandFishCampprovide greatpet-friendlyoptionswhere youdon’thaveto“ruff”it.

DOG-FRIENDLYLODGING INGREATERMARIPOSA COUNTY

Asmartalternativeto parklodgingisdog-friendly accommodationsinGreater MariposaCounty.Thisapproach allowsfordaytripsintoYosemite withallthecomfortablelodging optionsandfree-rangingthings todooutsidethepark.

IndowntownMariposa, wheretheelevatedsidewalks onceobligedstagecoachesof yore,youandyourcaninecopilotcanwalkthemaindrag inGoldRushstylebydayand stayatadog-friendlyproperty closetotheactionbynight.The BestWesternPlusYosemite WayStationandtheMariposa Lodgeallowuptotwodogsper rentedroom(max80lbs),while

Unlikemanynationalparks,Yosemiteisdog-friendly(withsomerules)sofur-babiesarewelcome!

theRiverRockInnoffersDog FriendlyRoomsandabrick patiotoenjoyyourlatteon-site fromSticksCoffee.

YosemiteViewLodge FartherupHighway140, thefinalstopbeforeentering theparkisElPortal.Here, theMercedRiverCanyon narrowsandyoucanfeel

Yosemite’smagicjustaround thebend.YosemiteViewLodge standsproudwithbalconies overlookingtheMerced’s determinedflow,whileitsdog walkpathleadsgueststoaselfie treefortag-worthypics.

TenayaatYosemite HeadingsouthfromYosemite ValleyonHighway41,isthe

four-DiamondresortTenaya atYosemite.Checkouttheir DogFriendlyLodgingpagefor thefullbiscuit,andbesureto considertheirDeluxePampered PetPackageforsuchcanine conveniencesasfresh-baked dogtreats,adogtoyandtwo hoursofpetsittingservices(with additionalon-sitekenneltime available)!

TenayaatYosemite,afour-DiamondresortjustoutsidetheSouthGate,isknownforitsdog-friendlypolicies.

COLORMEAUTUMN:LEAFPEEPINGYOSEMITE MARIPOSACOUNTY

Aschilledlemonadegives waytosteamingpumpkin spicelattesandflipflopsare swappedoutforpuffyUgg boots,thetransitionfrom summertoautumnisaspecial timeofyearintheHighSierra. Thischangingoftheseasons bringsfewervisitorsandthe opportunitytoimmerseyourself inoneofMotherNature’smost spectacularshows.

LEAFPEEPINGTHEHIGH COUNTRY

Asthemercurydropsand thesurroundingpeaksgird themselvesforthefirstsnow, theHighCountryofYosemite Mariposaisthefirstforfallcolor. Thoughleafchasingdependson numerousclimateconditions andbordersonanartform,late SeptemberthroughOctoberis generallyagoodtarget.

GlacierPointRoad GlacierPointRoadcurves andclimbswithequaldrama aboveYosemiteValley. Approximately10milesfromthe junctionwithWawonaRoadis SummitMeadow,whereafew standsofaspencanbefound. Low-growing,yellowdeerbrush alsobrightensupthelandscape. Ofcourse,considerheading headtotheendoftheroadfor someunbeatableviewsatthe ever-popularGlacierPoint.

CHASINGBRILLIANCE ATMID-ELEVATIONS (YOSEMITEVALLEY)

Whatmanyvisitorsdon’t realizeisthatYosemiteValley mightfeelwayupintheHigh Sierra,butitonlysitsat4,000 feetthusearningmid-elevation status.Here,thefallcoloris typicallyafewweekslaterthan theHighCountry.ThinkmidOctobertomid-November.

YosemiteValley

Wheretobegin?The interplaybetweenfallcolor, massiverockformationsand themeanderingMercedRiver createspuremagic.Thesouth sideofthevalleyfeaturesyellow cottonwoodsandaspens,while reddogwoodsdottheHappy Isleslandscapeattheeastern endoftheValley.TheSugar MaplenexttotheYosemite Chapel(anon-nativeplantedby earlysettlersandtypicallyfound intheNortheast)pairspomp& pietywithitsbrilliantorange-red glow,beseechinganInstagram post.ItscousintheBigleaf Maplecanbefoundsporting yellowthroughoutthevalley, ascanoakswhichhaveamore brownishhue.

Wawona

LocatedalongHighway41, Wawonaexudesavillagefeel fromitshistoryasaMiwuk

campandlateraswaystation forearlytourists.Thenameof thepeepinggamehereismuch liketheValleywiththeyellow/ brownsofBigleafMaples,oaks, andcottonwoods,complimented bythepink/redsofdogwoods. ForanicestrolltrytheWawona MeadowLoopandgrababite atthehistoricWawonaHotel DiningRoom.

STRIKINGIT(COLOR)RICH INGOLDCOUNTRY

Goldenoakleavesdecorate thelandscapeatlowerelevations inYosemiteMariposaCounty.

Aswechasefallcolor downhilltoMariposaCounty’s lowerelevations,themountain pinesgivewaytooak-studded foothillsskinnedwithdry grassesthecolorofwheat.The mercurydoesn’tdropuntillater infallwhichtypicallytranslates totheseason’sfinalshow.

Highway140/MercedRiver Canyon

Dutifully(andbeautifully!) followingthesteepMercedRiver Canyon,Highway140isone

ofthosetwo-laneroadswith stunninglandscapesaround everycurve.Afewmilesoutside theArchRockEntranceto

YosemiteNationalParkisthe townofElPortal,whereyou’ll findgracefulMercedwillows, majesticoaksandyellow cottonwoods.Thisareaboasts greatriversidepicnicareas wherevisitorscanenjoythefall harvestalfresco.

Mariposa

Charming,historicoldtown Mariposaconjuresupimagesof abustlingGoldRushboomtown. Herethecolorsareoftenimports ofearlysettlers,ormorerecent plantingsbyaestheticallyastute locals.Maplesandnativeoaks playnicelytogether,while thesurroundingvineyards& orchardsthatsupplyawardwinningwines&cidersturn wonderfulhuesafterharvest.

TheoldestoperatingsuperiorcourthousewestoftheMississippi,the MariposaCountyCourthouseisoneofmanyhistoricbuildingsinthe townofMariposa.

GetupearlytogetthisstunningautumnviewofHalfDomeatsunrise.

YosemiteViewLodgeoffersdog-friendlyrooms,walkingpathsand multipleswimmingpools.

FallcolorsarehighlightedwiththeVictorianwhitebuildingslocatedat theWawonaHotel.