Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Destinations > America - USA > California
Reload this Page >

Yosemite: 4-day trip questions [early March 2017]

Yosemite: 4-day trip questions [early March 2017]

Old Feb 21, 2017, 1:33 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,769
Yosemite: 4-day trip questions [early March 2017]

I'm in the middle of planning a trip for next week. We're taking Amtrak to Merced, staying the night, and the 7 am Yarts bus to Yosemite Valley.

My dad wants to do the $99 Yosemite Conservancy group snow shoe hike to Dewey Point on Saturday, March 4, so we're "committed" to going next week . It runs "rain or shine". I've been in regular communication with their office and they haven't sent any alert emails. Has anyone done this or any of their hikes?

We're booked Friday and Saturday nights at Half Dome Village (formerly Curry Village) in a 2-bed cabin with no bath for $130/nt all in. I vaguely remember the community bath facility back when we stayed in a canvas tent cabin in the 1970s and it wasn't so bad. How is the facility now? Original, but updated (I hope)?

Are the Sunday breakfast buffets really worth $28+ (Yosemite Valley/Falls Lodge) and $49+ (Majetic/Ahwahnee)? I'm thinking of splashing out on our last morning there.

How bad is cell phone service in the Valley? Specifically, Verizon and TMobile. I may/may not need to coordinate with another snow shoe hiker. Just thinking ahead in case last minute communication is necessary.

And lastly, I'm thinking of buying trip insurance for this trip due to the storms we've been having in California this winter. I'm considering a $70-$80 policy only for my dad - to cover our '7-day out cancellable' hotel rezs and his hike fee... and ummmm, if he needs to be airlifted out. Sounds prudent, right?

Thanks for any insight.
boxo is offline  
Old Feb 21, 2017, 1:55 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
It has been a long time since I last snow-shoed in Yosemite but it was great back then.

We have another big storm due in this weekend. I rather doubt it will be as big as the last one that shut down access to the Park but I'd watch the Weather Channel. The Merced overflowed into the central meadows and over a few bridges during that event. You seem to be on top of that.

I think insurance is probably a good idea. Even with a "rain or shine" policy, blizzard conditions could stop you.

My cell service is spotty in the Valley. Texts seem to be fine but voice is hit-or-miss. I often send "I'm here and you are not" photos to friends. I have a very cheapo service plan so yours may be better.

Almost $50 for breakfast at the Ahwahnee seems pretty extravagant but it IS the Ahwahnee and that is what you pay for. Food and ambiance will be very good. The Lodge isn't quite so nice but the food will be good.
abmj-jr is offline  
Old Feb 21, 2017, 2:16 pm
  #3  
Community Director Emerita
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,681
We have TMobile and had no service within the park.
SanDiego1K is offline  
Old Feb 21, 2017, 4:23 pm
  #4  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,725
Originally Posted by boxo
My dad wants to do the $99 Yosemite Conservancy group snow shoe hike to Dewey Point on Saturday, March 4, so we're "committed" to going next week . It runs "rain or shine". I've been in regular communication with their office and they haven't sent any alert emails. Has anyone done this or any of their hikes?
Make sure whatever you have on your feet (boots, whatever) when you are snowshoeing is extremely well watersealed. Been there, done that, frostbite wasn't fun.

Originally Posted by boxo
We're booked Friday and Saturday nights at Half Dome Village (formerly Curry Village) in a 2-bed cabin with no bath for $130/nt all in. I vaguely remember the community bath facility back when we stayed in a canvas tent cabin in the 1970s and it wasn't so bad. How is the facility now? Original, but updated (I hope)?
Tolerable, but it's a campground bathhouse. Remember to take your toiletries in a waterproof container, like a small plastic bucket, and things should be fine. Why waterproof container? Because many of the facilities don't have counters or the counters are always soaking wet - you can hook the bucket on a door or set it on the floor and your stuff won't get gross.

Originally Posted by boxo
How bad is cell phone service in the Valley? Specifically, Verizon and TMobile. I may/may not need to coordinate with another snow shoe hiker. Just thinking ahead in case last minute communication is necessary.
Verizon is very temperamental in the valley. Sometimes I get a great signal, sometimes none.
CDTraveler is offline  
Old Feb 22, 2017, 10:45 pm
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,769
Thanks for the comments so far. ^

I'm happy to say a Stoneman House 2-bed with bath option popped up tonight for literally a few bucks+ more per night. And I'm unhappy to say I procrastinated last night booking our first night's res at Yosemite Valley (Falls) Lodge and the rate has increased by $30+ for the night.

This. Thank you, I hadn't thought to check my dad's boots.
Originally Posted by CDTraveler
Make sure whatever you have on your feet (boots, whatever) when you are snowshoeing is extremely well watersealed. Been there, done that, frostbite wasn't fun.
The weather.com forecast has been wildly fluctuating from partly cloudy to snow showers. The big January storm, they evacuated before it hit. We wouldn't mind it all getting stuck in the park. Not that that's likely to happen, but hypothetically, how does that work - do they charge you for the lodging? https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l...CANPYOSE:13:US
boxo is offline  
Old Feb 22, 2017, 11:01 pm
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,769
Regarding food, has anyone been to the Valley Village Food Court (Yosemite Valley Lodge) somewhat recently?

We were at the Grand Canyon in December and dined at the Maswik Lodge food court all but once. We were really surprised we ate for an average $6 per person every meal by each ordering something different and sharing, and never went hungry. And we were surprised at the more than decent quality and freshness of food. The beautiful mixed greens salad with shredded carrots, cucumber slices, whole cherry tomatoes, which fed 3 of us, was only $3-something. No price-gouging.

Both parks are serviced by Aramark. I'm wondering if the options will be similar.
boxo is offline  
Old Feb 22, 2017, 11:03 pm
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,769
Oh, and does anyone know why Grand Canyon lodges are available for booking on online travel sites (Orbitz, Hotels.com, etc), but Yosemite's aren't? I booked Maswik on Hotels.com using a promo code + a discounted Hotels.com gift card, and got a great deal at < $100/nt all in.
boxo is offline  
Old Feb 22, 2017, 11:10 pm
  #8  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,239
Originally Posted by boxo
Oh, and does anyone know why Grand Canyon lodges are available for booking on online travel sites (Orbitz, Hotels.com, etc), but Yosemite's aren't? I booked Maswik on Hotels.com using a promo code + a discounted Hotels.com gift card, and got a great deal at < $100/nt all in.
GC are run by Xanterra and Yosemite are run by Aramark
VickiSoCal is offline  
Old Feb 22, 2017, 11:32 pm
  #9  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,691
Let me know if you want my my go-to cheap but decent hotel in Merced.

Have fun! Hope you don't hit too much rain/snow.

Doc
Doc Savage is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2017, 12:02 am
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,769
Originally Posted by VickiSoCal
GC are run by Xanterra and Yosemite are run by Aramark
Oh, yessss. I won't expect the services to be similar then.

Originally Posted by Doc Savage
Let me know if you want my my go-to cheap but decent hotel in Merced.

Have fun! Hope you don't hit too much rain/snow.

Doc
I've currently got the Holiday Inn Express booked for $90-ish all in. I'm intrigued to know your go-to. PM me.
boxo is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2017, 10:45 am
  #11  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,897
Originally Posted by CDTraveler
Verizon is very temperamental in the valley. Sometimes I get a great signal, sometimes none.
Same experience for me with Verizon in the valley: hit and miss.
dhuey is online now  
Old Feb 23, 2017, 10:48 am
  #12  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,897
Originally Posted by boxo
Regarding food, has anyone been to the Valley Village Food Court (Yosemite Valley Lodge) somewhat recently?
I assume that's the cafeteria in Yosemite Lodge (all these name changes are so silly). Yes, it's pretty good and reasonably priced. Lots of choices in there. There is also a restaurant in that complex that is a little pricier.
dhuey is online now  
Old Feb 23, 2017, 11:27 am
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
Please note that Highway 120 into the Park is now also closed for storm repairs. The only entrance still open into Yosemite is Highway 140.

This might impact your YARTS bus.
abmj-jr is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2017, 1:21 pm
  #14  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,725
The National Park Service has an alerts page with road closures and other emergency info. You might want to track it until your trip to keep up to date on park and road conditions.
CDTraveler is offline  
Old Feb 24, 2017, 11:31 am
  #15  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,282
Originally Posted by abmj-jr
Please note that Highway 120 into the Park is now also closed for storm repairs. The only entrance still open into Yosemite is Highway 140.

This might impact your YARTS bus.
Wouldn't the YARTS bus from Merced travel straight up Highway 140?
darthbimmer is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.