Yosemite Blog

Have you dreamed of being lulled to sleep by the click-clack-click-clack of steel wheels only to wake up in one of the most beautiful places America has to offer? Or maybe you’ve dreamed of seeing America’s national parks without the headache of driving, making reservations, cooking dinner, or loading the kids in the car. If you have dreamed either of these things, then the American Orient Express is the “ticket” (all puns intended) for you.

The Rockies and Sierras tour on the American Orient Express starts in either Denver or San Francisco and takes you through some of the greatest scenery the West has to offer. Fall asleep to the sound of the train slowly winding it’s way across the land to awake in a great destination; Arches, Canyonlands, the Rockies, the Sierra Nevada, and Yosemite National Park.

American Orient Express: “We awake this morning in Sacramento, the capital city of California. We arrive in Yosemite after a motorcoach tour that brings us to 5,000 feet in elevation. Yosemite is known for its spectacular granite cliffs, towering waterfalls, unique rock formations, giant sequoia forests and pristine wilderness. Native Americans, particularly ancestors of the Southern Miwok tribe, have inhabited the region for 8,000 years. Today we tour the valley, with stops at Half Dome, Royal Arches and Bridal Veil Falls. Enjoy dinner and overnight at a Yosemite Lodge.

In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill granting Yosemite Valley as an inalienable public trust. And in 1890, with the efforts of naturalist John Muir, Yosemite National Park was created. This morning we are free to hike and stop by the visitors center to gain further knowledge of this geological wonder. Tonight, on board the train, we celebrate our journey with a farewell cocktail reception and dinner.”

Most meals and accomodations are provided leaving you nothing to do but sit back and enjoy yourself. For more information be sure to check out AmericanOrientExpress.com.

It’s a beautiful morning in Yosemite Valley. Unfortunately, it may not stay that way for long. The National Weather Service forecast is calling for rain with 3-4 inches of new snow above 6,000 feet through Monday.

Photo courtesy of Phil Baird.

My friend Phil demonstrates the magic of the Lomo camera. Great job Phil. Very beautiful.

Phil says he took this photo a couple years ago while on a field trip with an Archaeology class. The class was mapping burn scars on trees around Yosemite Valley to find evidence of early habitation.

With spring comes the return of the wildlife. Tracey and Bruce, the Rangers who wintered in Tuolumne Meadows are reporting the bears as well as marmots and goshawks, are already returning to Tuolumne Meadows.

Tracey and Bruce Tuolumne Meadows Winter Rangers: “We saw at least a half a dozen Black Bear tracks last week ranging from above 11,000 feet down to snow line. Some bears traveled many miles in a straight line while others left a criss-cross of prints in the snow. Dirty holes in the snow marked the spring arrival of one of the true hibernators, the Yellow-bellied Marmot. With a snow pack of 160% above average, the Marmots will be living off their body fat for some time. Other arrivals include Dark-eyed Juncos, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Killdeer. The Killdeer were seen at their usual spot at Soda Springs, although there are only a few square feet of ground exposed and very tall snow banks. Many of the new bird arrivals are feeding on a variety of insects, the largest of which we have seen is the Sphinx Moth. The Northern Goshawk, an Accipiter (short-winged, long-tailed) that we have seen in past winters, has remained elusive until recently. Biologist Jeff Maurer, who has studied these hawks, tells us that tree squirrels are among their favorite meals.”

Photo courtesy of National Park Service.

Plowing has begun on the Tioga Road and the Glacier Point Road. The snow pack is quite a bit deeper this year than in subsequent years making for slow going as evidenced by the photos at right.

Don’t expect either road to open anytime soon, though. Late season snow storms are keeping the crews busy cleaning up the main roads through the park.

Tioga Road
Starting location: 3.2 miles from Crane Flat Gate
Ending location: 3.7 miles from Crane Flat Gate
Distance plowed today: .5 miles
Depth of Snow: 11 feet

Glacier Point Road
Starting location: .3 miles from Badger
Ending location: .5 miles from Badger
Distance plowed today: .2 miles
Depth of Snow: 10 feet

Photos courtesy of National Park Service