Travel & Outdoor
National Park Journal Yosemite 2020
Get the digital version of the National Park Journal with its four separate park editions (Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone and Yosemite) to discover all-time favorite road trips to the national parks. From Utah’s dazzling deserts, the adobe-lined streets of New Mexico’s charming towns, Wyoming’s authentic outposts, California’s stunning coastline and Colorado’s mountain towns, we feature all the amazing places to explore en route to the parks, no matter where you begin your adventure. Plus , our insider’s guide includes our top things to do in each national park in 48 hours. Discover the best hiking trails, campsites and attractions in our magazine. Our illustrated wildlife guide will help you discover the best of the park's wild animals, including tips on where to find them, and our packing list ensures you don’t leave anything at home.
in this issue
behind the scenery
By the time preservationist John Muir visited Yosemite in 1868, artists had already captured the beauty of the area, captivating the nation’s imagination. And before them, people had been living in the park for more than 4,000 years. In fact, the last Miwok village in the park was demolished in 1969. That’s 79 years after Yosemite became a national park. While more than 4 million people visited the park last year, there’s an unusual sight tucked in the northwest corner that less than 1 percent of all Yosemite visitors see. Amid towering granite domes lies the 8-mile-long Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (see photo on page 30). It’s liquid gold, supplying more than 2.4 million San Francisco area residents with water. But it also sparked one of the first national conversations on valuing wilderness…
life in the fast lane
With about 4 million visitors last year, Yosemite, known for its stunning scenery, has developed a reputation for something quite unwanted: traffic. Best way to avoid it? Climb aboard the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System best known simply as YARTS. YARTS provides easy connection service to people traveling by air, train and bus. If you’re flying on United Airlines into Fresno, Stockton or Mammoth Lakes, you can have your YARTS fare included on your plane ticket. That way, you just show your boarding pass to a YARTS driver as you board your bus. If you’re traveling by car, the buses make stops along four routes into the park: Hwy. 120/395 starting in Mammoth Lakes; Hwy. 120 starting in Sonora; Hwy. 41 originating in Fresno and Hwy. 140 starting in Merced. Once you’re in Yosemite…
where to stay in yosemite
I want to stay in Yosemite Valley. CURRY VILLAGE (Formerly Half Dome Village) Choose between staying in one of 46 cabins with private baths, 14 cabins that share a bath house, 403 canvas tent cabins or 18 standard hotel rooms at Curry Village. Conveniently located steps away from the Pizza Deck, a swimming pool and a general store, Curry Village is kind of like camping with convenience and a crowd. You’ll be nestled next to a ton of neighbors as the canvas tent cabins are just feet from one another. Take me away from Yosemite Valley. THE AHWAHNEE HOTEL (Formerly the Majestic Yosemite Hotel) The Ahwahnee is the most elegant hotel in the park. Its dining room is in itself a destination, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The upscale hotel is a National Historic Landmark.…
stress-free travel
Want to avoid all traffic, get into Yosemite for free and enjoy California craft beer and regional wines along the way? Climb aboard the San Joaquins train from San Francisco (or Sacramento) and let the train conductor do the driving. Not only is it the safest way to travel to the park, especially in the winter, but it’s also an exciting adventure with rare views of California’s breathtaking landscapes. On board you’ll catch gorgeous views of the turquoise waters of the San Francisco Bay before you enter the San Joaquin Valley, one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions. Through big picture windows, you’ll spot almond orchards and peach trees, along with carrots, tomatoes and more. But you’ll also have the freedom to walk around, stretch your legs and dine. Stop in at…
take the train
No train goes all the way from San Francisco to Yosemite, but your Amtrak ticket provides you stress-free, seamless bus and train transportation into the heart of the Yosemite Valley. Your ticket includes a ride on the Amtrak Thruway bus from downtown San Francisco to the Emeryville train station. Once you arrive at the train station, you’ll wait no more than 10 minutes to board your train. When you leave the San Francisco Bay, you’ll transition to the green fields and orchards of the San Joaquin Valley. Choose between two stops to exit the train and board the stellar YARTS buses that bring you into Yosemite. Going on YARTS means no park pass fees for you. Get off at the Merced train station where you’ll catch your YARTS bus straight into Yosemite via…
wild at yosemite
BLACK BEAR The name is perhaps misleading since the 500 black bears that roam Yosemite have blond, brown or black fur. In summer, the bears forage on grasses, berries, ants and insect larvae. In fall, they fill up on acorns, preparing for hibernation. They spend winter in dens, hollow trees or caves. Males can reach up to 250 pounds and females up to 150 pounds. MOUNTAIN LION These solitary and elusive cats are not frequently spotted. They stalk their favorite prey, mule deer, but prefer to slink through the forest unseen. In addition to deer, they hunt coyotes and raccoons. If you encounter a mountain lion, do not try to run. Instead, stand tall and attempt to scare it away. SIERRA NEVADA BIGHORN SHEEP The park’s only endangered species and one of its rarest animals,…
