Yosemite Winter Vacation 2006

(picture credit)

Dawn and I plan to vacation in Yosemite Dec 11-15. Itinerary so far:

Dec 11, Monday

• Check-in to Yosemite View Lodge after 15:00
• 14:00-15:30 — Ranger Walk: "A Changing Yosemite," front of Valley Visitor Center
• 17:00 — Dinner: Yosemite Lodge Food Court, (open until 19:30)
  
• 19:30-21:30 — Evening program: check local postings for venue and topic
  

Dec 12, Tuesday

• 07:00-08:00 — Breakfast: Ahwahnee Dining Room (open 07:00-10:30)
• 12:00-13:00 — Yosemite Forum: "Forest Ecology and Climate Change in the Sierras," Visiter Center Auditorium
• 13:15 — Lunch: Yosemite Lodge Food Court, (open until 19:30)
• 14:00-15:30 — Ranger Walk: "Bears," Curry Village Amphitheatre
• ~17:00 — Dinner: Yosemite Lodge Food Court, (open until 19:30)
• 19:30-21:30 — Evening program: check local postings for venue and topic

Dec 13, Wawona Wednesday

• 07:00 — Breakfast: bagels, local restaurant
  
• 11:30 — Lunch: Degnan's Delicatessan, (open 09:00-17:00)
• 14:00-15:30 — Ranger Walk: TBD
• 17:00 — Dinner: Yosemite Lodge Food Court, (open until 19:30)
• 17:00-21:30 — Guest lounge at Wawona (Tom Bopp)
  
• 19:30-21:30 — Evening program: check local postings for venue and topic

Dec 14, Thursday

• 07:00 — Breakfast: bagels, local restaurant
• 11:30 — Lunch: Yosemite Lodge Food Court, (open until 19:30)
• 14:00-15:30 — Ranger Walk: TBD
• 17:30-20:30 — Dinner: Mountain Room Restaurant, Yosemite Lodge, casual dress. Reservations only for parties of eight or more. Get there early.
  
• 19:30-21:30 — Evening program: check local postings for venue and topic

Dec 15, Friday

• 07:00 — Breakfast: bagels, local restaurant
• Check-out time 11:00

Possible additions to itinerary:

• Ansel Adams Gallery, next to Valley Visitor Center, 09:00-17:00; 209-372-0200
• Sightseeing: Crane Flat, snowshoe to Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Falls, Royal Arches, Cathedral Rocks, Three Brothers, or El Capitan, Merced Grove
  
• Valley Visitor Center and Bookstore, 09:00-17:00 (shuttle stops #5 and #9). Exhibit hall closed until May 2007.
• Yosemite Cemetary, across the street just west of Yosemite Museum. Guide available at the Visitor Center.
• Indian Village of Ahwahnee, behind the Yosemite Museum. Open during daylight hours.
• Yosemite Museum, next to Valley Visitor Center. Features:
  
• Museum Gallery, 09:00-17:00 (closed for lunch)
  
• "America's Best Idea-A Photographic Journey Through Our National Parks" (through Jan 28, 2007)
  
• Indian Cultural Exhibit 09:00-17:00 (closed for lunch)
  
• Yosemite Museum store, 09:00-16:30
• Pioneer Yosemite History Center, always open, near Wawona
• Ice skating (Curry Village) — open days and evenings mid-Nov to mid-March. $6.50/ea
• Yosemite Association offers seminars every month of the year. 2006 season ends Dec 9.
• Yosemite Mountaineering School and Guide Service, Curry Village, 209-372-8344
  

Links:

• Yosemite Fun, celebrating years of non-profit service to Park visitors.
  
• Yosemite Winter Activities & Programs via American Park Network.
  
• Yosemite Today, a publication of the National Park Service containing "a calendar of guided programs and park activities, as well as hours of operation for visitor centers and museums."

To-do:

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To-pack:

• Food: Bagels, chocolate, Clif bars, vegetables, fruit (fresh/dried); food for hiking and/or breakfast. Pack into paper grocery bag and store in hotel room or backpack.
• Clothes: gloves or mittens, knit cap, warm coat, sweater, or parka, and rain gear (such as a raincoat or even an umbrella). Comfortable, broken-in boots are a good idea, but, depending on the conditions, you might also be able to wear comfortable walking shoes (bring extra socks). Link.
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