The following Hikes were suggested by Quail Hill guests Stan and Sue Carr.

 

Our guidebook was Day Hikes in Yosemite by Robert Stone.  It was accurate and detailed.

 

DAY 1

1. After breakfast (9 a.m.), drive to the south entrance of Yosemite and turn right at the stop sign.  This will take you to the parking area for the Mariposa Grove of Sequoias.  Drive time is about 45 minutes.

 

2. Hike through the grove for 60-90 minutes.  We preferred to start the hike at the furthest corner of the parking lot rather than at the main path. This makes a circle hike easy and starts on a less-used route.  It's all easy walking at about 5000 ft.

 

3. Drive to Wawona (about 20 minutes).  If you arrive around 11:30, stop for lunch at the Wawona Hotel.  It's nice, reasonable, and service is good.  Busiest on Saturday.  You must be seated by 1:30 p.m. to get served.  Chairs on the lawn are a great place to read a book.  Hike through the historic village.

 

4. Just over the river at Wawona, turn right and follow the paved road through the village about a mile and park in the gravel lot on the right.  Hike up to the waterfalls on Chilnualna Creek. You can take the entire hike (8.2 miles round trip) or just enjoy many of the lower falls and return at any point.  It's uphill on the way out and fairly strenuous.

 

 

For most folks, this is enough for one day.

 

DAYS 2-3

 

On a second trip, you can drive to Glacier Point.  It takes about 1.5 or 2 hours from the B&B.  The views are incredible.

 

1. For a good long hike, take the Panorama Trail from Glacier Point to Illiloutte Falls and return.  4 miles round trip and 1300 feet elevation change. 2-3 hours.

 

2. After lunch, drive a couple of miles back to the parking area for Taft Point and Sentinel Dome.  Be sure you hike to both of them.  They are each about 1.1 miles from your car. Be careful of the fissures at Taft Point-- you could drop into a 100' crevasse.  It’s best not to do the loop (too many mosquitoes). Rather hike to one and back to the car; then hike to the other and back to the car. You may want to do these three hikes over two days and add one additional hike to Dewey Point, or the Westfall Meadows, or Bridal Veil Creek. 

 

3. What about Yosemite Valley, I hear you say?  Be prepared for high temperatures, mosquitoes, and overcrowding.  The cafeteria at Curry Village is a good buy.  The Ahwahnee Hotel is a great place for a drink, but the restaurant is overpriced.  Eating at the bar is a good alternative.  

 

4. The higher country is a lot better for hikers and for pictures.