2009 Interagency River Management Workshop


Today's Rivers, Tomorrow's Stewards


March 10-12, 2009 ~ Yosemite National Park, CA ~Yosemite Lodge at the Falls

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LOGISTICS

Getting to Yosemite

www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/directions.htm

Yosemite National Park covers nearly 1,200 square miles of mountainous terrain in the Sierra Nevada of California. Yosemite Valley is located at 4,000 feet in elevation.
You can visit Yosemite all year, though some areas of the park are inaccessible by car from approximately November through May due to snow. You can drive your car into and around Yosemite, though we encourage you to use shuttle buses in some areas.

The park entrance fee ($20 for a 7 day pass) will be waived for workshop participants. Notify entrance gate personnel that you are attending the Interagency River Management Workshop.

Lodging

RESERVATIONS AT YOSEMITE LODGE AT THE FALLS

NOTE: To make a room reservation at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, you must use this form. The deadline for making a room reservation is February 7.

A block of rooms has been reserved for workshop participants at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls for the government per diem rate of $120 per night. Many rooms at the Lodge come with two beds; please indicate on your registration if you are interested in room-sharing in order to reduce costs. For more information on Yosemite Lodge, visit online: http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations_YosemiteLodge.aspx

CARE TO CAMP?
A block of campsites has been reserved in Yosemite Valley at the Upper Pines Campground. The cost is $20 per site, with up to 6 people (and 2 vehicles) per site allowed. Each site has food storage locker, picnic table, and fire ring. Restrooms are located nearby. Showers and camp supplies/groceries can be purchased at Curry Village. At registration, please indicate if you would like a campsite.

LODGING OUTSIDE THE PARK
A number of lodging options exist outside the park, all of which are located along the YARTS bus line with service direct to Yosemite Lodge:

YOSEMITE VIEW LODGE, located in El Portal on Highway 140 along the Merced River, approximately 30 minutes from Yosemite Valley. Rooms from $97, some with kitchenettes.
www.yosemite-motels.com/yosemiteviewlodge/
phone: 888-742-4371

CEDAR LODGE, located in El Portal on Highway 140 along the Merced River, approximately 40 minutes from Yosemite Valley. Rooms from $80.
www.yosemite-motels.com/cedarlodge/
phone: 888-742-4371

INDIAN FLAT CAMPGROUND, located in El Portal next to Cedar Lodge on Highway 140 along the Merced River, approximately 40 minutes from Yosemite Valley. RV and tent sites, tent cabins, cottages. Rates from $20 per night for camping to $65 for cottages.
www.indianflatrvpark.com/
phone: 209-379-2339

YOSEMITE BUG HOSTEL, located in the community of Midpines along Highway 140, approximately 15 minutes beyond Mariposa and 60 minutes from Yosemite Valley. Rustic resort with tent cabins, dorm rooms, cabins, spa, and restaurant. Rates from $22 for dorm room to $75-$155 for cabin with private bath. www.yosemitebug.com
www.yosemitebug.com
phone: 866-826-7108

AIRPORTS

www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/airports.htm

Commercial Airports Near Yosemite

Fresno-Yosemite International (FAT)
Drive north on Highway 41 to Yosemite. Allow about 1.5 hours to the park's South Entrance or 2.5 hours to Yosemite Valley.

Commercial Airports in the Bay Area

San Francisco International (SFO)
Drive on Highway 580 east to Highway 205 east to Highway 120 east to Yosemite. Allow about four hours to the park's Big Oak Flat Entrance or five hours to Yosemite Valley.

Oakland International (OAK)
Drive on Highway 580 east to Highway 205 east to Highway 120 east to Yosemite. Allow about four hours to the park's Big Oak Flat Entrance or five hours to Yosemite Valley.

San José International (SJC)
Drive on Highway 880 north to 580 east to Highway 205 east to Highway 120 east to Yosemite. Allow about four hours to the park's Big Oak Flat Entrance or five hours to Yosemite Valley.

Commercial Airports North of Yosemite

Sacramento International (SMF)
Drive south on Highway 99 to either Highway 120 or Highway 140 east to Yosemite. Allow about four hours to Yosemite Valley.

Reno/Tahoe International (RNO)
Drive west on Highway 80 to Highway 99 south to either Highway 120 or Highway 140 east to Yosemite. Allow about eight hours to Yosemite Valley.

MAPS

Map of California and highways leading to Yosemite National Park

Map of Yosemite National Park

DRIVING TIMES FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS

From the west and north

San Francisco/Bay area
Distance: 195 mi / 314 km
Time:4-5 hours
Take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park.

Sacramento
Distance: 176 mi / 283 km
Time: 4 hours
Take Highway 99 south to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park.

Reno & Lake Tahoe
Distance: 315 mi / 507 km (Reno)
Time: 8 hours
Take I-80 or I-50 west to Sacramento; take Highway 99 south to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park.

From the south

Los Angeles area
Distance: 313 mi / 504 km
Time: 6 hours
Take I-5 north (or I-405 north to I-5) to Highway 99 north to Highway 41 north (Fresno) into Yosemite National Park.

San Diego area
Distance: 441 mi / 710 km
Time: 8 hours
Take I-5 north to Highway 99 to Highway 41 north (Fresno) into Yosemite National Park.

Las Vegas
Distance: 495 mi / 797 km
Time: 8-10 hours
Take I-15 west to Barstow; Highway 58 west to Bakersfield; take Highway 99 north to Fresno. In Fresno, take Highway 41 north into Yosemite National Park.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

By Bus
Visitors can ride Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) buses from gateway communities outside the park into Yosemite Valley. YARTS buses also connect with Amtrak and Greyhound service in Merced. (www.yarts.com)

By Train
Amtrak provides a combination of train and bus service to Yosemite Valley. To get to Yosemite Valley connections, take Amtrak to Merced. From there, bus service will take you directly to Yosemite Lodge.(www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage)

In the Park
It’s easy to park your car and see all of Yosemite Valley on the Valley Shuttle, the park’s fleet of hybrid-electric buses. Free shuttle bus service is available within Yosemite Valley, with stops at vista points, accommodations, Yosemite Village/visitor center, and trailheads. A separate round-trip shuttle leaves several times daily from Yosemite Lodge to the Badger Pass Ski Area.

WINTER CONDITIONS IN THE PARK

Snowy or icy road conditions are common in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada from fall through spring. When these conditions exist, federal regulations (in Yosemite) and state law (outside Yosemite) require that you use chains or cables in order to reduce the chances of accidents. Chain requirements are strictly enforced.

When do I have to use chains?
You must have tire chains or cables in your possession when entering a designated chain control area, even if you're driving a four-wheel drive or rental vehicle. (Designation is by a sign that says, "CHAINS REQUIRED.") Conditions dictate when chains are required, therefore, it's not possible to predict if chains will be required ahead of time. You should have chains when visiting Yosemite from November through March (chain requirements may be in place on occasion as early as September or as late as May). Within a designated chain control area, you must use chains or cables on your car's drive wheels when the chain control sign does not exempt your car. Even if your car is exempt, you must have chains or cables in your possession.

ROAD AND WEATHER REPORT
For up to date road and weather conditions, please call 209-372-0200. It is very rare that all-wheel drive vehicles are required to use chains; the more likely condition would be that drivers have chains in their possession. Be sure to check with your rental car agency and inquire about whether or not your rental vehicle will have chains included.

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