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Travel Talk
by Francine Brokaw
Southern Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is 1,189 square miles of trees, mountains, and natural beauty, and it is much the same as it was a hundred years ago, thanks to Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant in 1864 (during the Civil War) providing protection to the land and deeded the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to the state of California. This served as the framework for the National Park system.
Southern Yosemite is home to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. These gorgeous and gigantic trees must be seen to be truly appreciated. Yes, you can still walk through some of them, however driving through is now prohibited, since the main drive-through tree has fallen down. Their root systems are very shallow, making them susceptible to harm, although since the roots are so shallow they often share the water resources through adjoining roots.
There is much to see and do in Yosemite. Rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, bike riding, relaxing, sight seeing are all a part of the park. Wintertime offers great cross-country skiing, ice skating, snow shoeing, sledding and sleigh rides. Mother Nature spared no expense when she created Yosemite.
If you do not want to camp out, there are several options. The Tenaya Lodge is located outside of the park but within minutes of the Southern entrance. Camp Tenaya for Kids is designed for children five to twelve. several activities keep youngsters entertained and enthused and they not only have fun but they also enjoy the wonders of nature, while their parents can explore on their own. Tenaya Lodge has an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool, and a spa with saunas, steam rooms, massages and other luxurious treatments. Its rustic atmosphere is the perfect setting for this part of the country.
Just a few miles inside the South entrance to the park is the Wawona Hotel. Celebrating its 125th anniversary, this hotel “remains special because of what it is,” says General Manager Monica Miller. The hotel consists of six buildings, each with a unique flavor. Of the 104 rooms, 50 are furnished with private bathrooms and 54 have communal bathrooms. The cottages are a similar condition as they were when they were built, with several modern amenities added. However the exteriors look exactly as they did through all these decades. The flavor of the hotel is also the same. Set amid rolling lawns and cedar and pine trees, this charming locale evokes a spirit of tranquility. The Victorian style buildings with their sweeping verandas and Adirondack chairs will take you back to a more tranquil time. Forget about the traffic and the smog at home. Sit back and relax as your mind takes you to another time. The Wawona Hotel is a quaint and romantic place to stay when you visit Yosemite. Monica Miller says the hotel is turned into a picturesque “Dickens Christmas” in the winter with lights everywhere. At 4000 feet above sea level, the snow provides the additional atmosphere for a special holiday season.
While you’re in Southern Yosemite take a ride on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad through the Sierra Nevada Forest. This 4-mile ride on the narrow gage railroad is a scenic trip through the old logging grounds.
Southern Yosemite is a world unto itself. If you want to venture another hour north, you’ll come to the Yosemite Valley, home to El Capitain and Half Dome, two sites popular with rock climbers. Southern Yosemite is the perfect spot to unwind and relax while soaking up the natural wonders of Central California.
© 2006 Francine Brokaw
All pictures ©Roy Brokaw
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