Frommer's Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (Park Guides)

194 Pages·2008·21.378 MB·English

by  Eric Peterson

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Yosemite and
Sequoia & Kings
Canyon
National Parks
6th Edition
by Eric Peterson
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Published by:
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Contents
List of Maps vi
Introduction to Yosemite and Sequoia &
1 Kings Canyon National Parks 1
1 History of the Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2 The Parks Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
3 Best of Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Planning Your Trip to Yosemite and
2 Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks 15
1 Getting Started:Information & Reservations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
2 When to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Special Events In Yosemite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Special Events In Sequoia & Kings Canyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
3 Passes & Permits You Can Get in Advance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
4 Getting There . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
5 Learning & Adventure Vacations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
6 Tips for Travelers with Disabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
7 Tips for Travelers with Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
8 Tips for Travelers with Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
9 Protecting Your Health & Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
10 Protecting the Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
3 Exploring Yosemite 26
1 Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Fast Facts: Yosemite National Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
2 Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
3 The Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
4 How to See the Park in 1 or 2 Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
5 Seeing the Park by Car & Shuttle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
6 Organized Tours & Ranger Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
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4 Hikes & Other Outdoor Pursuits in Yosemite 43
1 Day Hikes & Scenic Walks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
2 Exploring the Backcountry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Backpacking for Beginners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
3 Other Sports & Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
5 Where to Stay & Eat in Yosemite 64
1 Lodging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
2 Camping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
3 Where to Eat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
6 Exploring Sequoia & Kings Canyon 92
1 Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Fast Facts: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks . . . . . . . .94
2 Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
3 The Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
A Nearby National Monument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
4 Go Inside the Earth in Two Caves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
5 How to See the Parks in 1 or 2 Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
6 Seeing the Parks by Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Hikes & Other Outdoor Pursuits in
7 Sequoia & Kings Canyon 108
1 Day Hikes & Scenic Walks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
2 Other Sports & Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
3 Exploring the Backcountry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Where to Stay & Eat in Sequoia &
8 Kings Canyon 125
1 Lodging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
2 Camping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
3 Where to Eat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
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A Nature Guide to Yosemite and
9 Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks 141
1 The Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
The Life & Times of John Muir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
2 The Flora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
3 The Fauna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
4 The Ecosystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Index 168
General Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Accommodations Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Restaurant Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
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List of Maps
Yosemite National Park 2 Backcountry Hikes in
Yosemite 50
Sequoia & Kings Canyon
National Parks 4 Giant Forest 97
Highway Access to the Grant Grove 99
Parks 21 Cedar Grove 100
Yosemite Valley 30 Hikes near Giant Forest 109
Tuolumne Meadows 33 Hikes near Grant
Wawona 35 Grove 113
Mariposa Grove 37
Hiking Trails near Yosemite
Valley 44
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ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
A Denver-based freelance writer, Eric Petersonhas contributed to numerous
Frommer’s guides covering the American West, and has written Frommer’s
Montana & Wyoming, Frommer’s Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks,
and Ramble: A Field Guide to the U.S.A. (www.speckpress.com). Peterson also
writes about travel and other topics for such publications as ColoradoBiz,
Delta Sky, and the New York Daily News.In his free time, he’s an avid camper
and hiker, a lifelong Broncos fan, and part-time rock star (at least in the eyes
of his niece Olivia and nephews Mitch and Sam).
ANINVITATIONTOTHEREADER
In researching this book, we discovered many wonderful places—hotels,
restaurants, shops, and more. We’re sure you’ll find others. Please tell us about
them, so we can share the information with your fellow travelers in upcom-
ing editions. If you were disappointed with a recommendation, we’d love to
know that, too. Please write to:
Frommer’s Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, 6th Edition
Wiley Publishing, Inc. • 111 River St. • Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
ANADDITIONALNOTE
Please be advised that travel information is subject to change at any time—
and this is especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call
ahead for confirmation when making your travel plans. The authors, editors,
and publisher cannot be held responsible for the experiences of readers while
traveling. Your safety is important to us, however, so we encourage you to stay
alert and be aware of your surroundings. Keep a close eye on cameras, purses,
and wallets, all favorite targets of thieves and pickpockets.
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FROMMER’SSTARRATINGS,ICONS& ABBREVIATIONS
Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked
for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating
system.In country, state, and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions
to help you narrow down your choices and budget your time accordingly.
Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (recommended) to three
stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions are
rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star
(highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars
(must-see).
In addition to the star-rating system, we also use seven feature iconsthat
point you to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that sep-
arate travelers from tourists. Throughout the book, look for:
Finds Special finds—those places only insiders know about
Fun Fact Fun facts—details that make travelers more informed and their
trips more fun
Kids Best bets for kids and advice for the whole family
Moments Special moments—those experiences that memories are made of
Overrated Places or experiences not worth your time or money
Tips Insider tips—great ways to save time and money
Value Great values—where to get the best deals
The following abbreviationsare used forcredit cards:
AE American Express DISC Discover V Visa
DC Diners Club MC MasterCard
FROMMERS.COM
Now that you have this guidebook to help you plan a great trip, visit our web-
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1
Introduction to Yosemite
and Sequoia & Kings Canyon
National Parks
C
alifornia’s Sierra Nevada imposes rugged features on a state that
many associate with sandy beaches and palm trees. It’s a mountain
range of great beauty, hidden amid harsh wilderness, and nowhere is
the terrain more dramatic than in Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings
Canyon National Parks. These truly special places combine moun-
tains with meadows, waterfalls with wildflowers, and spectacular
geology with awe-inspiring vistas that span, in some cases, nearly the
breadth of the state. Together, the parks cover 1.6 million acres
(roughly 2,520 sq. miles). They host over four million visitors a year
and are home to thousands of species of plants and animals.
Yosemite attracts more tourists than Sequoia & Kings Canyon
combined, although all three are absolutely delightful parks. Yosemite
covers 1,169 square miles—roughly the size of Rhode Island—and
94% is designated wilderness. Here you can enjoy the quiet beauty of
a forest or a pristine meadow, observe a sunset from a towering gran-
ite cliff, hike a half-mile-high waterfall, enjoy a moonlit night that’s
as bright as day, climb a world-famous rock, and eat a gourmet meal
before falling asleep—be it under the stars or in the luxurious bed of
a top-rated hotel.
Yosemite Valley, which attracts 95% of all Yosemite tourists, is just
1% of the park by area, but contains a number of the region’s jaw-
dropping features, and is visited by over three million people each
year. It’s a place of record-setting statistics, too: The highest waterfall
in North America and three of the tallest in the world (Upper
Yosemite, Sentinel, and Ribbon falls), as well as the biggest and
tallest piece of exposed granite (El Capitan), are here.
Wawona, a small community annexed to the park in 1932, is a
45-minute drive south of Yosemite Valley. Mostly a hodgepodge of
resort cabins and private homes, Wawona is also home to the stately
Wawona Hotel, a 9-hole golf course, and a main attraction—the