BACKPACKING AND HIKING:

YOSEMITE VALLEY: Beautiful and majestic, Yosemite Valley boasts some of the most popular trailheads in the park. These strenuous trails lead the hiker up the seemingly sheer granite walls which form the Valley. To reach the top of such spectacles as Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and El Capitan, the hiker will encounter steep terrain, switchbacks, and rapidly changing weather conditions. Spectacular views from the rim of the valley reward the hiker and quickly erase memories of any hardships suffered enroute.

TUOLUMNE MEADOWS: Tuolumne Meadows is located at over 8600 feet in elevation. From Tuolumne, numerous trails lead hikers to lakes, meadows and beautiful river canyons. More strenuous overnight backpacking trips allow the adventurer access to the northern-most reaches of the Park, the area between Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley, or along extended wilderness routes such as the John Muir Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. Because of its elevation, temperatures in Tuolumne average 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Yosemite Valley. Once the Tioga Road closes for the season (generally in early November), this area is accessible to well-experienced winter enthusiasts via snow shoes or skis only.

TIOGA ROAD: This scenic 45 mile drive covers almost 4000 feet of elevation change. It begins at Crane Flat, travels through Tuolumne Meadows, and then over Tioga Pass. The road is open to vehicles from late May or early June (weather permitting) until the first major snow storm after November 1; overnight parking is not permitted after October 15th. In winter and early spring, the snow covered Tioga Road serves as an ungroomed cross-country ski route for the adventurous and seasoned winter camper.

HETCH HETCHY: The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, located in the northwest part of the park, serves as the portal to many beautiful, less-traveled areas in Yosemite. The Hetch Hetchy Road normally stays open year-round and the reservoir itself lies at a relatively low 3900 feet making this a good area for spring and fall wilderness travel. High temperatures prevail along the trail during the summer months, but this is a small price to pay for the breathtaking areas that can be reached from here. Several lakes and popular valleys are all within 15 miles of the reservoir. There is no access to Hetch Hetchy trailheads while the road is closed.

WAWONA AND GLACIER POINT: Historic Wawona at 4000 feet elevation is located just inside the park's southern boundary on Highway 41. Because of its low elevation, trails from Wawona can be accessible during the spring and fall as well as the summer. The lush open meadows, forests and lakes which abound in Yosemite's less-frequented southern wilderness can be reached from trailheads in Wawona. The abundance of water in the spring makes this an attractive area for wilderness users. Once under snow in winter, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is designated as wilderness. Nordic skiers and snow-shoers can obtain a wilderness permit to ski through and camp in the upper reaches of the Grove.

Driving time from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point is about one hour. The Glacier Point Road is generally open to vehicles from late May or early June (weather permitting) until the first major snow storm after November 1; overnight parking is not permitted after October 15th. In winter, it serves as a groomed cross-country ski track starting from the Badger Pass ski area. Badger Pass, located 6 miles from the Chinquapin turn off on the Wawona Road (Highway 41), also serves as the trailhead for numerous marked cross-country ski trails. Wilderness permits for overnight wilderness travel from Badger Pass should be acquired from the Badger Pass A-Frame.

Junior Ranger Program:

The junior ranger program consists of an activity booklet, ranger program, and litter collection.

Ranger-led junior ranger activities are available from late June through August.

Cost for the activity booklet is $3.50 (plus tax). When it's completed, the junior ranger receives a junior ranger patch.

Children ages 3-6 can complete a Little Cub activity booklet (including attending a ranger program and picking up litter).

Cost for the activity booklet is $3 (plus tax). When it's completed, the Little Cub receives a little cub button.

Plane - Several airlines serve Fresno Yosemite International (off of Hwy 41), the Merced Air Terminal (off of Hwy 140), and the Modesto Airport (off of Hwy 120).

Car - There are four entrances to the park: 1) South entrance on Highway 41 north from Fresno 2) Arch Rock entrance on Highway 140 west from Merced 3) Big Oak Flat entrance on Highway 120 west from Modesto and Manteca Hetch Hetchy Entrance (to Hetch Hetchy Valley) 4) Tioga Pass entrance on Highway 120 east from Lee Vining and Highway 395. The Tioga Pass entrance is closed from the first major snowstorm in November until late May to June due to snow. All other park entrances are kept open all year, but may require tire chains because of snow anytime between November and April.

**Visitors may drive into and around Yosemite Valley. Reservations are not required (nor do they exist) to enter the park.**

Public Transportation - Visitors can ride yarts buses from gateway communities outside the park into Yosemite Valley. Yarts and Via buses connect with Amtrak and Greyhound in Merced.