Yosemite - Post March 2016
 

Rough first day for Aramark, the new concessionaire at Yosemite. Website down, call center overloaded and public outcry about the name changes.

Prior to the switch in concessionaire about a week ago, I tried to move my entire stay ahead by one day at the Yosemite Lodge. Website showed and was also told that the hotel was fully booked...booked solid through the entire summer. Tried again yesterday. Oddly, there was availability every day through the summer. After several attempts, I was able to reserve a single night at the lodge. Hopefully there wasn't an error in the reservation system.

I haven't followed the case since reading that the prior concessionaire laid claim to the name Ahwahnee. What was the outcome?

It is still in court. NPS is challenging the whole trademark issue. In the meantime, the affected place names have been temporarily changed - Ahwahnee is now "The Majestic Yosemite Hotel," Curry Village is now "Half Dome Village" and several others have new names. Locals - including this one - are outraged.

As am I. I don't understand how a concessionaire can lay claim to a property name that existed pre their management term. (At least, that's my understanding.) People know what it means to meet at the Ahwahnee. But Majestic Yosemite Hotel? Huh??

Did you steal the Ahwahnee sign? :D

Nope. Didn't think of it. I am naively hoping that miscreant has plans to return it if NPS wins in court and the name is restored.

I used to hate Delaware North because their service, food, etc. sucked. Now I have even more reason.

Has anyone rented a cabin in the park that is privately owned? My husband is currently booked at Half Dome Village in a heated tent with no private bathroom. A friend decided to join the group necessitating another tent rental. All that is currently available is an unheated tent.

Another friend says he went as a group of 6 last year. They found a cabin to rent and thought it a great experience. There are 4 in my husband's group. He is very attracted to all the facilities of a cabin as long as he can keep the rate at roughly $300/night. I spent a couple hours searching last night. It seems that most of the VRBO rentals are outside the park, even though the software would have you think otherwise. Redwoods in Yosemite appreats to have cabins in the Wawona area, close to the closed Mariposa Grove. Yosemite Rentals specializes in rentals in Yosemite West. What areas within the park offer cabins for rent and thru what companies? It's very important to him that they be within the boundaries of the park. They are planning a hike from Glacier Point so it would be best to be in that quadrant of the park.

Also, what area of Yosemite is closed to cars? What are the logistics of staying in a cabin, starting a hike at Glacier Point, and ending the hike at Angel Falls in terms of where the car/shuttle transfer occurs?

Listings aren't big on honesty as to where a property is located. Here's an example. Fretz's Den is available at the price point we want. Click on the location map and it shows the heart of the park, Yosemite Village. But wait! There's no property icon. On calling, we learn that the cabin is in Wawona, an hour's drive away. Frustrating.

I don't believe you will find any privately owned rentals in the Valley or at Glacier Point. I wasn't even aware there were any inside the Park at Wawona. Most of that sort of thing will be found in Yosemite West, El Portal, Fish Camp and even down near Bass Lake. I suspect that if they must stay inside the Park, they will be the guests of Aramark.

I was hoping you would respond as you are the person most knowledgeable with the park whom I have seen posting. I was certainly surprised to learn about private lodging in the park. I wonder if it goes back to the pre park days when this was sheep grazing land. Perhaps some folks kept private ownership of their land??? Anyway, the official park site says "A variety of lodging options are available in the gateway communities surrounding, and on private land within" (Bolding is mine.)

Private land in Wawona

Occupy Oakland about private land being sold within Yosemite.

Yosemite West is outside park lands. I had thought it was within, but no. I remain confused about whether there is a park gate that one has to enter and leave. Please look at this map and tell me your thoughts.

This page on Yosemite West Lodging says it is within the park. It's probable that he will choose a property there. Next, he needs to figure out the bus situation within Yosemite. He plans to hike from Glacier Point to Bridalview Fall. I found information that says there is parking at Bridalveil but no shuttle. Do you have any suggestion about where he should park?

That first document is interesting. I have some experience working in a county development agency and with Specific Plans (completely different county and issues.) I wasn't aware there were so many private parcels in Wawona. I was aware that most of what is there is used during the season by concessionaire employees and park personnel. I suppose it makes sense that those places would be rented during the off-season to cover costs and taxes.

The "Occupy" article is crap. The author completely misunderstood the situation at Yosemite West. The entirety of YW is a private in-holding completely surrounded by the National Park. It is a small, isolated part of Mariposa County. There is no entrance gate between YW and Highway 41 inside the Park, or at least there wasn't the last time I was there. I believe the concept is that one will pass through the gate below Wawona (or another gate on the other highways) just to get to YW so they don't need to collect entry fees twice. Permanent residents have passes and don't have to pay fees every time. So, saying that YW is "inside" the Park is accurate but a bit deceiving. It lies within the park boundaries but isn't actually part of the park. They don't advertise it to the public but there is actually a small local road that locals can use to get to and from YW without going via SR41. It is a small, winding little thing that would not be useful for tourist traffic. It used to be blocked by a gate and was usually only for emergency use. I haven't been in there in decades so don't know if that is still the case.

Yosemite West or one of the Wawona properties are pretty much the only private rentals you are likely to find "inside" the Park. I have no idea of the condition of any properties that might be available. Either will certainly be closer to Glacier Point than any other private rentals.

In your last question, I think you meant Bridal Veil Fall rather than Bridal View. Yes, there is a bus stop right outside the parking area at BVF. It is on the "El Capitan" route, not the Valley Floor route. You can connect from one to the other at selected stops. To get up to Glacier Point, he will have to take one of the paid tour buses. They pick up at the Yosemite Valley Lodge (whatever it is called now) and take a circuitous but scenic route up to GP. I would guess the best place to park would be near the Lodge, using the shuttle buses to get back there after the hike. You hubby is going the right direction. I have hiked that trail up to GP (many years ago) and it is a killer.

I suppose he could also drive up to GP, hike down and then use the bus tour to get back to his car but that might be a little less certain as there are only 3 tours per day. Miss the last one and you might be stuck with the car at the top and the driver at the bottom.


https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvis...CP_JUMP_566977

Thank you for a very helpful response.

Just returned from the park...good times as always. Didn't notice anything different about the park with Aramark. There is some confusion among the foreign tourists as many of the name changes have not been updated on the maps, literature, signs, etc.

Depends on time of year...road closed to GP through ~May. Where's Angel Falls?