Thanksgiving at Yosemite

So you think a trip to one of our greatest nationalof and above the clouds or thunderstorm layer to
parks, a natural treasure of breathtaking beauty weemerge in brilliant and unobstructed sunshine.
all jointly own, is something to consider only duringWhile the park is open 365 days a year, there are
the peak summer vacation period. Well, before yousections that are closed seasonally. November and
book it for next July or August and finalize your plansDecember are when most of the closures take place
for Thanksgiving with grandma, have you consideredand the exact dates vary each year due to weather.
spending this Thanksgiving at Yosemite?The road to Glacier Point as well as the Tioga Road
The mid to late fall time period, and specifically theto the high country cannot be counted on to be
week of Thanksgiving, is a fantastic time to visit ouropen. However, the highlights of the park: all valley
nations third oldest, third most visited, and in thisdestinations, most valley based trails, the Mariposa
writer's opinion, most magnificent national park. TheGrove of Giant Sequoias, and the west and south
weather is maybe the very best for hiking,entrances are open year-round. Be aware that you
accommodations are much cheaper and available onwill be required to have show chains with you so that
shorter notice, wildlife and fall colors are plentiful, andyou are prepared to put them on at the direction of
the summer crowds have gone home.park personnel without any advance notice. If you
My wife and I had the fortune of spending a veryrent a car, be sure to ask the rental company to
memorable Thanksgiving at Yosemite a few yearssupply the chains. Many will do so and save you
back. Our most vivid memory is of an experiencehaving to purchase chains that you will possibly never
that almost never happened. We were beginning ourneed again and probably have no way of transporting
very last full day at the park, and had planned onhome.
hiking the "Four Mile Trail" from the valley floor toOn Thanksgiving Day, you will be hard pressed to
Glacier Point. We awakened to learn thefind a better meal or more memorable scenery than
temperatures were perfect - in the upper 30s withyou will find at Yosemite. You will find special menus
an expected afternoon high in the upper 50s. Soat both the 4-diamond "Ahwahnee Hotel" dining
what was the problem, right? The factor that nearlyroom, and at "The Mountain Room" restaurant
caused us to scrap our plans was a think morninglocated just behind the "Yosemite Lodge at the Falls".
fog. We knew visibility would be poor and feared ourBoth are located in the heart of the valley. There are
hike would end at Glacier Point without the ability toequally delightful holiday meals at the "Wawona Hotel"
see the parks landmark attraction, "Half-Dome"!and at the "Tenaya Lodge" located just a mile
Luckily, we decided a foggy hike would be betteroutside the south entrance to Yosemite. All four
than no hike.properties are "Delaware North Companies" operated
We layered in a pair of long-sleeve shirts, aproperties. My wife and I dined at the "Tenaya
sweatshirt, and a down vest. As we navigated thisLodge" on Thanksgiving Day several years ago and
great trail, we began to shed layers until as wehave never experienced a more delightful setting.
neared the top, we were each hiking in just the pairTheir fabulous buffet provides numerous meats,
of long-sleeve tee-shirts. While the entire hikeendless salads, sides, breads, and deserts; not to
provided solitude, great conversation between themention the ice sculptures.
two of us, the smell of Ponderosa Pine, and the siteAs stated previously, late fall is one of the best
of only two other hiking duos along the way, the realtimes of the year to get close to wildlife at
treat appeared unexpectedly. Right below the crestYosemite. With the colder temperatures at higher
of Glacier Point, after a 3,200 foot gain, we suddenlyelevations, and fewer people present, the wildlife
and unexpectedly climbed out of the fog. There issearch for lower elevations and are frequently seen
was, Half-Dome in brilliant sunshine sitting atop thein all locations of the valley. You will find prices for
fog layer. We had absolutely no view of the valleylodging to be significantly reduced in the late fall.
floor 3,200 feet below us, but Half Dome stuck outFinally, and while a real summer concern, you will have
above the fog just like a jumbo jet once it climbs outno trouble finding places to park your vehicle.