Sunday, July 19, 1992 ~ North Shore News ~ 43 A visitor’s guide to Yosemite National Park - OUR FRIEND, Walt Grabe, is up from Los Angeles for a visit. He is a native Californian, a true lover of all things Canadian and more informed about our politics than most Canadians. - It’s only a few of our customs that will sneak up and surprise him. About two months ago, we met with Walt and his wife Nancy for a few days in Reno. They went on to a camping visit to one of their traditional favorite spots Yosemite. We headed for lux- urious motels and condos on the coast. No accounting for taste, is there? ‘Walt has been visiting Yosemite for 40 years — starting as a kid. I think it’s safe to assume that he knows it well. What is the big draw for campers in Yosemite? The falls. Both Yosemite and Bridal Falls can be heard from ali campsites and seen from many, except where the tall pines block the view. It is not essential te camp under canvas or RV roof ia Yosemite but it’s the most popular way to go. Alternative hotel or cabin lodging is av.ilable. Here is a quick list with Walt’s comments on each. One of the things to remember is that the most desirable location is the Yosemite Valley, where the falls are situated. Untutored tourists like .me might find themselves out on the fringes, albeit. comfortably situated but far from the main event. f& The Abwahnee (209) 252-4848 Rates in the US$200 per day bracket. This is a historic hotel and .requires a lot of constant maintenance to keep it up. ‘“‘It’s looking pretty good right now but TP’ve seen it look a bit seedy in the past.”? The dining room is open for three meals a day plus after- noon tea. “World-class continen- tal cuisine — and pricey by Amer- ican standards.”’ & The Redwoeds (209) 375-6666 This is near the southern en- trance to the park and quite a ways from the valley. It’s new and luxurious, rates from 2 low of $68 to a high of $266. You'd best have a chat with them if you plan to visit — there’s quite a variety of rooms available — kitchens and fireplaces in some. » Carry Village (209) 252-4848 Rustic tert-cabin accommoda- tion, some with plumbing. No food or cooking allowed. No pets. Right in the valley, adjacent to the falls. Rates vary from a low of about $20 for the barest to about $72 for. cottages. The highest prices include private plumbing, TRAVELWISE the rest is communal. Has a cafe- teria — ‘‘Good, but not great. Reasonably priced by Yosemite standards.”’ » Wawona Hotel (209) 252-4848 This is another histcric hotel, modestly priced in the $60 to $80. range. This is also out of the valley and Walt has never been inside, not even to dine. It ap- pears well-kept from the outside. “It’s in a setting that- you would - describe as ‘really’ beautiful — if you hadn’t seen the Yosemite Heve you can get anything from a cabin without plumbing to a mtel room — prices topping out at around US$88. It’s the closest accommodation to the falls. ‘‘Not luxurious, but nice —.2bout on the lével of a Best Western. There’s a cafeteria and two res- tauranis — we eat there a lot.” (Please note that Nancy hates campground cooking!) Camping in Yosemite is the way they go. Although there are ‘‘spill-over’’ campsites outside the Valley, the recommended ones are: Upper River (for tenters), Lower River (for RVs), Upper Pines (for pet owners), Lower Pines and North Pines. diminishing order of favorites. The two ‘‘River’’ camps are the favorites although all are on or near the Merced River. Reservations are essential. Not just plain old reservations but made exactly (!) eight weeks in ‘advance —- in the summer season m BCAA HOSTED &. 5 pee MEER EXCLUSIVES p Those are listed in -# described as Memorial Day to Labor Day. Not only is this exact eight-weeks-to-the-day man- datory but due to the popularity of the site, you may be out of luck. The next complication is that the reservation agency has just been changed from Ticketron to Mystix Reservations. Your best bet is to stick BCAA with finding you a spot or try phoning the (209) 252-4848 number given for most of the motels and they will steer you. This is a problem encountered often in the travel world — they'll get it straightened out for Cana- dians next year. I’ve been unable to find a toll- free number for any of the above — if they do, let me know. Now, a few comments and rec- ommendations for visitors to Yosemite. The restaurant at the Ahwahnee Hotel is exquisite. It’s also huge — several stories high and Walt estimates seating for S00. it’s dress code at night and food (on- ly) will run you US$50+ for two. Not to be missed is Sunday brunch — about $15 a person. The buffet has the usual Eggs Bennie but Walt raves about the Rainbow Trout, the corned beef hash and the fresh fruit. He adds that ‘‘Dinner is another ‘don’t miss’ — if you can afford it.”’ For campers, there is a com- plete grocery store located in Yosemite Village. If it has another name other than ‘“‘the store’’ it’s not ia general use. Prices are a lit- tle higher than normal but not bad. Luxuries such as fresh salm- on are available so you can see that the word ‘‘complete’’ covers it. Nov. 03 to Apr. 20 AIRFARE From Cdn. $488 | 7NIGHT PACKAGE [ S AIRFARE, KIHE) CONGO & CAR § from Cdn. $770 Pridbl 2 14 NIGHT PACKAGE § B AIRFARE, KIHE! CONDO & CAR F E trom cdr. 91,050 nuirs | Depart Vancouver | w between Nov. Of to Dec. 10 § River rafting is pleasant, safe (ne white water) and inexpensive. Walt quotes about $8 per person for the gear, obtained at Camp Curry. Minimum two persons per raft, maximum six. The fee in- cludes life jackets and tt.: shuttle bus to and from the starting place. The trip takes about three Both Glacier Point and Tuolumne have snack foods available but it’s much nicer to pack a fine iunch. There are also campgrounds -- Bridal Falls, near Glacier, and another in Tuolumne. Wait cau- tions that before using cither you would be wise to make sure you 44 One last caution — don't drink surface water — i.e., out of streams — without filtering or boiling. Cattle grazing is the culprit. 99 hours and gives a perspective of the valley that can't be obtained elsewhere. Take a day trip — driving for most of us, hiking if ‘‘you’re a real athiete,’’ to Glacier ° Point. The big attraction is the view, straight down about 4,000 feet to see the entire valley and ail/ the waterfalls. Another day trip is to Tuolumne Meadows which is the largest alpine meadow complex in North America. Seasonal, the area is blanketed with exceptional wildflowers, only those that can survive an altitude of 8,000 feet. can tolerate the altitude. Both are open only in the summer, Bears are only a problem in the high-altitude campgrounds. They don't appear to attack people but ‘thave been known to tear the door off your car to get at a cool- er.”’ You're safe to picnic in the daytime raiding starts at sunset! California bears are noc- turnal. One last caution — don’t drink surface water ie., out of Streams — without filtering or boiling. Cattle grazing is the culprit. 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