SUNSET INN Yosemite Cabins

Yosemite Park day-use permits currently required to visit the park: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300015

Yosemite National Park is open WITH RESERVATIONS REQUIRED due to COVID-19. Please visit their web site for details: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/covid19.htm

Yosemite Special Events and Fee Free Days for 2020 Please mark your calendars and plan to join Yosemite National Park and area partners for some great special events this year! Yosemite Earth Day Festival: Saturday, April 18, 2020* Shakespeare in Yosemite: April 24-26, 2020... Mariposa Butterfly Festival: May 2-3, 2020 YARTS 20th Anniversary Celebration: Wednesday, May 20, 2020 Swift Water Rescue Day: Thursday, May 21, 2020 NPS Founders Day: Tuesday, August 25, 2020* Yosemite Facelift: September 23-27, 2020 National Public Lands Day: Saturday, September 26, 2020* Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11, 2020* *Designates an NPS fee-free day

https://www.travelandleisure.com//national-parks-free-admi

Yosemite National Park's iconic names restored, thanks to lawsuit settled today. https://www.cnn.com//yosemite-national-park-nam/index.html

Yosemite News Release June 27, 2019 For Immediate Release Yosemite National Park Announces Tioga Road To Open to Unrestricted Vehicular Traffic on Monday, July 1... Tioga Road to remain open with limited hours through the weekend Yosemite National Park announces the Tioga Road will open to unrestricted vehicular traffic on Monday, July 1st, at 8:00 a.m.. From now until the full opening Monday morning, vehicular access will continue to be available from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will continue to be no stopping along the road and no overnight parking.. Park Rangers will sweep the road after each open and closed period to make sure visitors are utilizing the corridor only to cross the Sierra. Bicycles will be allowed during daylight hours throughout the weekend. The park implemented the limited opening the past couple of weeks to allow crews to remove snow, set up utility systems to open restrooms and facilities, and prepare for summer operations. This resulted in better protection of park resources with no day use of the area as operations were coming on line. Areas along the Tioga Road, and specifically Tuolumne Meadows, are ecologically sensitive areas and the full opening with restrooms available for visitors will mitigate many resource issues that were seen in past openings where the road was opened with no facilities available for the public. Visitor Services such as general park information and restrooms will be available beginning Monday. Other visitor services, such as campgrounds, lodging, and the store and grill, will be opened incrementally throughout the month of July. Yosemite National Park extends its gratitude to the visiting public for complying with the limited opening, and helping to protect the park's precious resources. Yosemite National Park is open year-round. All motorists should drive with caution and be aware of possible hazards in the roadway, including rocks, debris, and water. Tioga Road may be impacted by incoming storm activity, including snow and icy driving conditions, over the next several weeks. Tioga Road may temporarily close due to weather and unsafe driving conditions at any time. Tioga Road is a seasonal road through Yosemite National Park, typically open from late spring to early fall. For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200. -NPS-

Yosemite National Park Announces Limited Access on Tioga Road Beginning on Friday, June 21, 2019 - Yosemite News Release June 19, 2019 Tioga Road to open limited hours for access to cross the Sierra. Yosemite National Park announces there will be limited access to Tioga Road (Highway 120 East) for visitors interested in crossing the Sierra. Tioga Road will be open to all vehicles, including bicycles, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am and from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. No parking will be al...lowed on Tioga Road and day use recreation is not permitted. There is no visitor parking available at either end of the road closure. There are no visitor services available along Tioga Road. The Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, Wilderness Center, and the Tuolumne Meadows Campground remain closed. Opening dates for the 2019 season have not been determined. Restroom facilities will be available 5 miles east of Crane Flat Junction and at Tioga Pass. Visitors are encouraged to plan their trips over Tioga Road in advance and to prepare for the restricted access and no access to visitor services. The road will remain closed outside of these times to allow for continued roadwork and snow clearing. Cyclists traveling over Tioga Road will need to be prepared to cross over the full length of Tioga Road during daylight hours. Tioga Road is closed to overnight camping. Backpackers planning trips in the High Sierra will be able to be dropped off and picked up at trailheads along Tioga Road. All backpackers will need to pick up their wilderness permits in advance and have a bear canister in hand. It is strongly recommended for all backpackers to be aware of the timing that the road is open and closed and to plan their trip logistics accordingly. Any backpacker who misses the road open period will need to be prepared to spend an additional night in the wilderness. All wilderness regulations will remain in effect. Yosemite National Park is open year-round. All motorists should drive with caution and be aware of possible hazards in the roadway, including rocks, debris, and water. Tioga Road may be impacted by incoming storm activity, including snow and icy driving conditions, over the next several weeks. Tioga Road may temporarily close due to weather and unsafe driving conditions at any time. Tioga Road is a seasonal road through Yosemite National Park, typically open from late spring to early fall. For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200. (J. Richards)

Half Dome Cables The Half Dome Cables are up and open to permit holders. The daily lottery allows hikers to apply for a permit two days prior to their hiking date.

https://www.facebook.com//a.12906834383/2761266207282172/

Yosemite news bulletin: Half Dome Cables The Half Dome Cables are currently closed for repairs. No access is allowed. The cables will be open to permit holders beginning Thursday, June 6th.

Glacier Point Road is open and will remain open until 6 pm on Saturday, May 25. It will close at that time in anticipation of an incoming storm. The road will be evaluated once conditions improve. Call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) for updated road conditions information.

Find Your Park: National Park Week kicks off April 20 by FOX26 NewsWednesday, April 17th 2019 If you're looking for something to do, National Park Week kicks off Saturday.... National Park Week 2019 runs from April 20 to 28th. To kick off National Park Week, all entrance fees are waived on Saturday, April 20. This includes Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and Joshua Tree National Park.

Yosemite National Park Announces Glacier Point Road and the Surrounding Trails to Remain Open for Extended Winter Season - Yosemite News Release March 28, 2019 Visitor access for the winter season will continue through Sunday, April 14, 2019 To learn more about how to plan for a wilderness trip in Yosemite National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. ... The Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area, including the Nordic Center and all other facilities, will close for the 2019 season on Sunday, March 31, 2019. (J. Richards, NPS)

Yosemite National Park Announces that the 2019 Half Dome Preseason Lottery will Open on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 Yosemite National Park announces that the 2019 preseason lottery for Half Dome permits will open at 7:00 am PDT on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. For the latest information on the Half Dome preseason lottery, please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm. ... All hikers are required to have permits to ascend the sub-dome steps and the Half Dome cables seven days a week when the cables are up. Park Rangers install the Half Dome cables each spring and take them down each fall, based on weather and trail conditions. The cables are typically up from late May to early October. All day use hiking permits are distributed by lottery via Recreation.gov, with the preseason lottery in the spring and daily lotteries during the hiking season. During the preseason lottery, 225 permits are available for each day that the cables are up. To include Half Dome as part of an overnight wilderness trip please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdwildpermits.htm. All visitors planning to apply for permits to climb the Half Dome Cables are strongly encouraged to thoroughly read all information posted on Yosemite National Park's Half Dome page and the "Cables on Half Dome" page managed by Recreation.gov, https://www.recreation.gov/permits/234652, as there have been some new changes to the application process. The most accurate information will be posted on both the Yosemite National Park webpage and on Recreation.gov. -NPS-

What a wonderful, snowy winter we've been enjoying! Yosemite and the Sierra are going to be amazing with waterfalls & wildflowers this season!

Nice article by 'The Taste of San Francisco' on our beautiful area: https://www.thetastesf.com/getaway-to-californias-gold-cou/

When is the best time to visit Yosemite? Perhaps right after the smoke has cleared from the recent Ferguson fire. Check out the Yosemite Park live web cam: https://www.nps.gov/customcf/webcam/dsp_webcam_image.cfm

Yosemite Valley to Reopen to Visitors on Tuesday, August 14th, at 9:00 a.m., according to NPS. The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias to reopen on Monday, August 13th. Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that Yosemite Valley will reopen to visitors on Tuesday, August 14th, at 9:00 a.m. Yosemite Valley has been closed to visitors since Wednesday, July 25th, due to impacts from the Ferguson Fire. Visitors can access Yosemite Valley from the El Portal Road (Highway 140)..., the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120), or the Tioga Road (Highway 120). The Wawona Road (Highway 41) will remain closed from Wawona to Yosemite Valley for at least another week due to ongoing fire activity and firefighter operations. Park visitors should be aware that there is still active fire and smoke on the roads and people should drive with extreme caution. Delays on the roads are possible due to fire activity and ongoing firefighter operations. There will be limited hours and limited visitor services at park facilities as the park returns to normal operations. The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias will reopen to the public on Monday, August 13th, at 9:00 a.m. Visitors can access the Mariposa Grove via the South Entrance (Highway 41) and park in the newly constructed parking area. The free shuttle buses to the Mariposa Grove will begin at 9:00 am. and take visitors to the newly restored Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. The Mariposa Grove reopened to visitors on June 14th, after a 3 year restoration project conducted in partnership with Yosemite Conservancy. Visitors will be able to travel to the Wawona area via the South Entrance (Highway 41). However, there is no access to Yosemite Valley via HIghway 41. The Glacier Point Road remains closed and is expected to open when the Wawona Road (Highway 41) reopens. The Hetch Hetchy Area remains closed due to smoke impacts but is expected to reopen soon. "We'd like to express our sincere gratitude to the firefighters and, Incident command teams for their great efforts in suppressing the Ferguson Fire. We'd also like to express our gratitude and thanks to our gateway communites who tirelessly helped visitors to the area while they were being impacted by the fire", stated Michael Reynolds, Yosemite National Park Superintendent. "This is truly a historic and unprecedented event in park history, and we are thrilled to welcome back visitors to Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove." For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200, press 1 and press 1 again. Updated information is also available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/yose and on the Yosemite National Park Facebook page. For the latest information on the Ferguson Fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/. For updated maps of the Ferguson Fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/5927/.

Encouraging news, the Ferguson Fire is 43% contained! And... the Tioga road into Yosemite and up to the high country has re-opened. Yay! It is considerably less smoky at Sunset Inn today. Things are looking up! So thankful for the relentless efforts of the hardworking firefighters!

https://www.nps.gov//yosemite-national-park-announces-yose

At long last... Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Everyone is looking forward to Mariposa Grove week and the exciting events coming up surrounding the opening of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Here are the details for the events next week: Wednesday, June 13th, 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.: Employee Day...Continue reading

Yosemite National Park: Snow is cleared and Tioga Road opens Monday According to The Mercury News: By PAUL ROGERS | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: May 17, 2018 at 11:43 am | UPDATED: May 17, 2018 at 12:15 pm...... Tioga Road, the fabled route through Yosemite National Park’s scenic high country and the highest-elevation road in California’s state highway system, will re-open to vehicles Monday. The road, which closes every winter due to deep snow, and closed last Nov. 14, will open to all vehicle traffic at 9 a.m., park officials announced. The road’s opening is something of an annual rite of spring, and is an indication of how much snow the Sierra Nevada received during the winter. Last year, after record snow and rain that broke the California’s five-year drought, the Tioga Road didn’t re-open until June 29. The average opening date from 1996 to 2015 was May 26. All campgrounds along Tioga Road remain closed. Park officials said Thursday that there is no anticipated opening date for the Tuolumne Meadows store and the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. There is no gasoline available along Tioga Road. The closest gas station is located at Crane Flat. For more information about park road conditions, motorists can call 209-372-0200 or go to https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm. One of the marquee drives in America’s national park system, the winding, two-lane Tioga Road bisects Yosemite’s alpine center, passing through meadows and forests of lodgepole pine and juniper. It runs 46 miles from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass, where it crests at 9,945 feet in the highest highway pass in California. The route for centuries was a footpath for Indians, upgraded to a mining road in 1883 during a brief silver boom, and then a private toll road that charged $2 per horse and rider. In an unusual act of philanthropy, it became public and part of the park in 1915, when San Francisco native Stephen Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, bought it for $15,000 with his own money and donations from the Sierra Club and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce. He sold it to Congress that year for $10, hoping to bring more tourists into the park. Yosemite’s other high-elevation road, the Glacier Point Road, re-opened to vehicles on April 28. Every year, crews with snow plows clear each of the two roads, facing snow drifts that can be 20 feet deep and avalanche risks. In 1995, Yosemite employee Barry Hance, 43, was killed when an avalanche on Tioga Road smashed into the snow-removal machine he was driving. In his memory, the park presents the Barry Hance Award every year to the park employee who best demonstrates a positive attitude, a concern for fellow employees, a willingness to work with other divisions in the park, getting the job done, and a love for Yosemite National Park.

Half Dome Cables in Yosemite National Park will be in Place for Visitors on May 11, 2018 - Yosemite News Release Daily lottery for permits now open. The Half Dome Cables in Yosemite National Park will be in place for visitor use this Friday, May 11, 2018. The trail will be wet and icy in places and visitors planning to ascend Half Dome are encouraged to be prepared for wet and cool hiking conditions. ... There is a daily lottery for a limited number of permits which are required to ascend the Half Dome Cables. These permits are available online through the daily lottery operated by www.recreation.gov. To apply for a daily lottery permit, applications are accepted from 12:01 am to 1:00 pm two days in advance of the intended hiking date. Lottery applicants may request up to six permits. Day use permits are required to ascend the Half Dome cables 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A $10 application fee will be charged for each application, and a $10 permit fee will be charged for each permit issued. Day use permits cannot be obtained in person through any office in Yosemite National Park. Permit applicants must use their legal name when applying for a permit and a matching government-issued ID is required at the permit check point. Overnight use permits are available through the Yosemite National Park Wilderness Center. For more information, visit http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200, press 1 and press 1 again.

Waterfall Season Special: 15% off now through May 17, 2018. Two night minimum. Please mention this offer when booking. See you soon!

Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park to Open on Saturday, April 28, 2018 Yosemite National Park announces the Glacier Point Road will open to all vehicular traffic at 9:00 am on Saturday, April 28, 2018.... There will be limited visitor services available at Glacier Point. There is no projected opening date for the Glacier Point store or the Bridalveil Creek Campground. The Four Mile Trail is open from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point. Visitors are encouraged to slow down and drive with caution along all park roads, as bears and other wildlife may be present on or near the roadway. Drivers should be aware of potential hazards in the road, including wet and icy conditions or debris in the roadway. For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200, press 1 and press 1 again.

Free admission: https://travel.startsat60.com//you-can-get-free-admission-

Yosemite National Park Changes Entrance Fee to Address Infrastructure Needs & Improve Visitor Experience - News Release April, 2018 The National Park Service (NPS) announced that Yosemite National Park will modify its entrance fees beginning June 2018 to provide additional funding for infrastructure and maintenance needs that enhance the visitor experience. Effective June 2018 the park entrance fee will be $35 per vehicle or $20 per motorcycle. An annual park pass will cost $70. For more information go to https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Yosemite National Park Announces the Opening Date for the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias will Open at 9:00 am on Friday, June 15, 2018 Yosemite News Release... February 15, 2018 For Immediate Release Media Contacts: Scott Gediman 209-372-0248 Jamie Richards 209-372-0529

Greetings everyone! Hot-off-the-press! Our beautiful new website is up and you are invited to sneak a peek: www.sunsetinn-yosemitecabins.com

Starbucks in Yosemite? NO!

Our first snow of the season! Yay! Clyde enjoys it as much as we do!

Yosemite Wilderness Trail Updates Snow, soggy meadows and flooded trails remain a July theme in Yosemite Wilderness. Additionally, please note: - Wapama bridge is damaged: repairs being done, scheduled to reopen mid July. - Bridges in Pate Valley and Glen Aulin (over Conness creek) are damaged with no estimated date for repair. - White Wolf Road is closed: must hike to trailheads from Tioga Rd. Road Access to Lake Eleanor Trailheads has reopened. ... Specific trail condition reports can be read from an NPS computer at https://docs.google.com//1Qc0a8mGhirE3JYw7iBnWl_dH3H/edit. (L. Kretsch)

National Parks Senior Pass Fee By Congress Legislation In order to meet requirements set by legislation passed by Congress in December 2016, the price of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass will increase from $10 to $80. The change will take effect August 28, 2017. Pass holders are given lifetime access to more than 2,000 sites and parks. The fee increase will support critical investments in maintenance projects at national pa...rks and federal recreational lands nationwide. The Senior Pass has cost $10 since 1994. Until August 28, U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are 62 years or older can purchase the lifetime Senior Pass for $10. Previously purchased lifetime Golden Age or Senior Passes will be honored for the lifetime of the pass holder. The Senior Pass can be used at sites managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Funds from passes are used to enhance the visitor experience and support priority projects and programs. The pass can be purchased for $10 before August 28 at a national park or other Federal recreation area that charges an entrance or standard amenity (day use) fee. The pass can also be obtained by mail or on line, for $10 before August 28 but there will be an additional $10 charge for processing, for a total of $20. Due to expected high order volume, there could be delays with online and mail order processing of up to several months. The legislation requires that the price of the lifetime Senior Pass be the same as the Interagency Annual Pass, which is currently $80. The legislation also introduces a new annual Senior Pass that can be purchased for $20. Seniors who purchase annual Senior Passes for four years can trade them in for a lifetime Senior Pass at no additional charge. The Senior Pass covers all entrance fees and standard amenity (day use) fees and may provide senior discounts for things such as tours or campsites. The pass also waives the entrance fee for travelling companions. At per-vehicle fee sites, the pass admits the pass holder and all passengers in a noncommercial vehicle. At a per-person fee site, the pass admits the pass holder and three other adults. Children under 16 are always admitted free.

Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park Open to All Vehicular Traffic Thursday, June 29, 2017 - Yosemite News Release Tioga Road will open for Bicycle and Pedestrian Use on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 The Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park (Highway 120 through the park) will open for the season to all vehicular traffic beginning at 8:00 am on Thursday, June 29, 2017. There will be limited visitor services available from the Tioga Pass Entrance Station to Crane Flat. Tioga Road ...will open for bicycle and pedestrian users at 8:00 am Wednesday, June 28, 2017. All visitors on the road are encouraged to use caution as there may be dirt, debris, and water flowing over sections of the road. Visitors are encouraged to keep an eye out for maintenance vehicles working on the roadway. For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200 and press 1. (J. Richards)

Yosemite National Park Announces Pilot Day Use Parking Reservation Program - Yosemite News Release June 21, 2017 Second year of pilot program to take effect August 2017 Yosemite National Park announces the second phase of a multi-year pilot program where visitors will be able to reserve a limited number of parking spaces at the Yosemite Falls Parking Area, located directly west of Yosemite Valley Lodge and south of Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley, for four weekends, including Satu...rdays and Sundays, in August 2017. This pilot program allows visitors the opportunity to guarantee a parking space in Yosemite Valley on four busy weekends in August. Visitors who book a parking reservation will have a space reserved until 4:00 pm, so visitors will be able to arrive during the day to use their reserved parking space. The Yosemite Falls Parking Area is one of two main parking lots in Yosemite Valley. The park encourages visitors to park once and utilize the free shuttle system to get to the Valley Visitor Center and all major attractions in Yosemite Valley. Reservations for 150 parking spaces can be made beginning today, June 21, 2017 at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

El Portal Road in Yosemite National Park Remains Closed - Yosemite News Release June 13, 2017, 1:00 p.m. Highway 140 closed at Parkline at least through the weekend The El Portal Road and Arch Rock Entrance into Yosemite National Park remain closed due to a rockslide that occurred yesterday around noon. Yosemite National Park staff are assessing the area and the road will remain closed at least through the weekend of June 17-18, 2017. After the assessment is complete, crews ...will begin to remove rock debris and repair the road to make it safe for visitors to travel on. There is no estimate for when the road will reopen. Around noon yesterday, a large rockslide occurred from the "Parkline Slab" cliff, about 1 mile east of the park boundary on Highway 140. The rockslide originated from a point mid-way up the cliff, approximately 400 feet above the base of the cliff and 600 feet above the El Portal Road. Roughly 4,000 tons of rock detached from the cliff along a cliff-parallel exfoliation joint; the approximate dimensions of the slab are 50 x 80 x 15 feet. This massive slab of rock slid down the cliff, hit a ledge, and broke into many pieces; these pieces fragmented further on hitting the base of the cliff, fanning out over an area more than 1,000 feet wide. The bulk of the debris slid and rolled down the slope at the base of the cliff, piling up on the El Portal Road, and continuing down to (and into) the Merced River. Of the total volume of material that fell, roughly 1/3 of that landed on the El Portal Road, covering an area of road about 150 feet long under up to 15-20 feet of rock debris. The largest boulder on the road is about 130 tons, and there are several other boulders that are only somewhat smaller. Boulders and smaller "flyrock" fragments covered a section of road nearly 1,000 feet long. The road sustained damage, both to the paved surface and the retaining wall. Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) buses will run on a modified schedule. To see the schedule, please visit www.yarts.com. A news release will be issued with updates as repairs progress on the El Portal Road. (S. Gediman)

Half Dome Cables in Yosemite National Park will be in Place for Visitors on June 2, 2017 - Yosemite News Release May 31, 2017 Daily lottery for permits will open Wednesday, May 31, 2017 The Half Dome Cables in Yosemite National Park will be in place for visitor use this Friday, June 2, 2017. The trail will be wet and icy in places and visitors planning to ascend Half Dome are encouraged to be prepared for winter hiking conditions.

Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park Opens today, Thursday - Yosemite News Release Yosemite National Park opened the Glacier Point Road to all vehicular traffic at 9:00 am on Thursday, May 11, 2017! Time to head for the high country...

Hooray! The Big Oak Flat Road in Yosemite National Park is back open, the park service announced Monday, so visitors traveling via Highway 120 West will once again be able to use the route into Yosemite Valley. The park service said road work will still be under way, and access will be limited to the hours of 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visitors planning to drive the route should prepare for one-lane traffic closures with waits up to 15 minutes. Severe winter storms damaged the roadway ...as an underground spring caused saturated soil under the road to slide downhill. More than 200 feet of road was impacted on the road from Crane Flat to Foresta Junction. The closure began in late February. Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/news/article147810719.html

Yosemite National Park Announces Re-Opening of Big Oak Flat Rd. Yosemite News Release April 25, 2017 10:30 am... For Immediate Release Media Contacts: Scott Gediman 209-372-0248 Jamie Richards 209-372-0529 Big Oak Flat Rd. will reopen to all vehicular traffic at 5:00 am Monday, May 1, 2017

Yosemite National Park to Waive Entrance Fees on the Weekends of National Park Week - Saturday and Sunday, April 15 16 and April 22-23, 2017. National Park Week is a week-long celebration of our National Parks celebrated at National Park Service sites across the United States. Photos of Wapama Falls area of Hetch Hetchy.

Royal Robbins, 1935-2017 Royal Robbins, one of the pioneers of American rock climbing, passed away on March 14th. Robbins, along with Tom Frost and Chuck Pratt, made the first ascent of El Capitan’s challenging Salathè Wall route in 1961. Along with Frost, Pratt, and Yvon Chouinard, he made the first ascent of El Cap’s North America Wall in 1964. Although he made many notable climbs the world over, his path very often led him back to Yosemite Valley. Royal was born in Point P...leasant, West Virginia on February 3, 1935. He first visited the High Sierra as a Boy Scout at age 14, took naturally to rock climbing, and was hooked. He developed his skills at Tahquitz Rock in the San Jacinto Mountains southeast of Los Angeles during the mid-1950s and by 1957 at the age of 22 he had joined Mike Sherrick and Jerry Gallwas in the 5-day first ascent of the Northwest Face of Half Dome. In 1963 Royal became the first to solo a Yosemite big wall by completing the second ascent of the Grade V West Face of Leaning Tower. He completed the first solo ascent of El Capitan in 1968 with a grueling nine-day climb (and second ascent) of the Muir Wall. He married his wife Liz, whom he met while she was a hostess at the Ahwahnee in 1963, and they settled in her hometown of Modesto. In 1967, with Royal as her partner, Liz became the first woman to climb Half Dome. Together, they created a successful outdoor apparel company, featuring clothing that (to quote the Robbinses) could stand up to the harsh Yosemite granite. He wrote two highly influential climbing books, Basic Rockcraft and Advanced Rockcraft, which emphasized free climbing skills and a clean-climbing ethic. Royal also became an accomplished kayaker, completing first descents of challenging rivers from high mountain elevations. He is survived by his wife, son, Damon, and daughter, Tamara. (A. Kunz, K. Yager) Taken from the 'Yosemite Daily Report'. See more

Yosemite National Park Continues Work to Repair Big Oak Flat Road - News Release March 13, 2017 Highway 41 opened to one-lane traffic Yosemite National Park continues work to repair the Big Oak Flat Road (continuation of Highway 120 ) leading to Yosemite Valley. Severe winter storms have impacted the road and it has been unsafe for vehicular travel since late February. The park is working with Federal Highway Administration officials and contractors to completely assess the... situation and design and implement repair work. There is no estimated date for the road to reopen. Significant rain and snow this winter has saturated the soils, resulting in soils under the road sliding downhill. This movement caused a large fissure to form in the roadway that has resulted in both lanes of traffic being unsafe for vehicles. Soils continue to move, causing further damage to the roadway. Over 200 feet of roadway has been impacted. We pledge to work diligently on the repair and communicate regularly about progress that is made, stated Yosemite National Park Acting Superintendent Woody Smeck. We know this road closure places a burden on the surrounding communities and we are working as quickly as we can to get the road reopened safely. We appreciate the Federal Highway Administration’s assistance in expediting this project. We greatly appreciate the patience and support of all communities along the Highway 120 corridor. Visitors are still able to visit Yosemite National Park via the Big Oak Flat entrance. Crane Flat and the Merced and Tuolumne Groves of Giant Sequoias are accessible and open. The park has waived the entrance fee for visitors entering the park via Highway 120. Park entrance fees still apply to all visitors entering the park via the Arch Rock and South Entrance Stations. The Wawona Road (Highway 41) is currently open to one-lane controlled traffic. Highway 140 (El Portal Road) remains open and clear for all vehicular traffic Visitors traveling on this road are urged to drive with caution and be aware of rocks and debris on the road. For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200, press 1 and press 1 again.

Our first snow of the season! About a foot. Beautiful!

Yosemite Trail Info... In preparation for the upcoming weather system, the Mist Trail and the Ice Cut section of the JMT have been closed. Please direct visitors to use the Winter Route. The Four Mile Trail remains open. Trail closures will be reevaluated as conditions change. Wapama Falls trail and the first and second foot bridges have been damaged in the recent rain storm. Several sections of railings have been washed away on the first bridge and the railing on the second bridge has been damaged and is now very loose in multiple places. The foot bridges are no longer safe for public use. Crews have posted closure signs on the trail on both sides leading up to the bridges and damaged area.

Free Admission... Yosemite National Park will offer free admission to the public in honor of Veterans Day on Friday, November 11, 2016. This fee free day is offered to all park visitors in honor of current members, retired members, and reserve members of the United States Armed Forces and their families. The National Park Service has honored Veterans Day as a fee free day since 2006. Waiving entrance fees on Veterans Day is one way the National Park Service works to show appreciation for the millions of men and women who fight to protect America’s great treasures, including Yosemite National Park.

Reminder...Road detour on Highway 120: From October 2016 to February 2017, the State Route 120/James E. Roberts Memorial Bridge will be fully closed to traffic for night work Sunday through Thursday between 7:00 P.M. and 5:00 A.M. Project work will culminate in a full 24/7 closure for one week at the end of construction period as construction work is completed and inspected. Jacksonville Road is available as a low-speed bypass to Hwy 108, Sonora and Jamestown. For more information, please visit: www.dot.ca.gov/dist10/JamesRobertsBridge.

We are pleased to announce, after two years of seasonal winter closures, Sunset Inn will remain open this winter, including winter holidays. We look forward to seeing our wonderful guests during this beautiful, quiet season!

Highway 120 detour: From October 2016 to February 2017, the State Route 120/James E. Roberts Memorial Bridge will be fully closed to traffic for night work Sunday through Thursday between 7:00 P.M. and 5:00 A.M. Project work will culminate in a full 24/7 closure for one week at the end of construction period as construction work is completed and inspected. Jacksonville Road is available as a low-speed bypass to Hwy 108, Sonora and Jamestown. For more information, please visit: www.dot.ca.gov/dist10/JamesRobertsBridge.

Yosemite National Park Launches Second Year of Every Kid in a Park Pass - News Release Yosemite National Park encourages all fourth graders to visit the park for free this year as part of the Every Kid in a Park (EKIP) program. The program gives fourth grade students, and those accompanying them, free access to more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters. Visit www.EveryKidinaPark.gov to download the pass and obtain more information.

Another favorite hike... Gaylor Lakes: http://www.sunsetinn-yosemitecabins.com/yo/gaylor-lakes.htm

Free Fishing Day in California September 3: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/lice/fishing/free-fishing-days

Yosemite National Park will celebrate the Centennial, 100 years of the National Park Service, on August 25, 2016. In honor of this historic milestone, park entrance fees will be waived Thursday August 25 through Sunday August 28, 2016. Camping fees and all other fees will still be applicable. The park will host many special Centennial programs throughout the park on August 25. Special Centennial events include a hike to the Top of Lembert Dome, a program on Stephen T. Mather and the Founding of the National Park Service, Horse-Drawn Stage Rides, and Tours of Pioneer Yosemite History Center. For more information about all of the Centennial events in the park, please visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm.

Lovely little hike to the Merced Grove today: http://www.sunsetinn-yosemitecabins.com//merced-grove-of-g

The Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park opened Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Note, late spring storms may change the status of the road and cause temporary closures. For updated, 24-hour road conditions, call 209-372-0200.

Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park open for the season to automobile traffic as of Tuesday, April 19, 2016. The Tioga Road, the popular east-west crossing of the Sierra Nevada in the northern portion of Yosemite, remains closed at this time. Currently, there is no anticipated opening date for the Tioga Road. For up to date, 24 hour road and weather information, please call 209-372-0200. (S. Gediman)

Free YARTS rides to Yosemite April 23 Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) will be providing free rides to Yosemite on Earth Day, April 23. There’s no admission fee for the park when you ride YARTS. Reservations must be made by April 19, or until the buses have been filled. All reservations must be made via email and are accepted on a first come, first served basis.Reservations are available for same day round-trip passengers only. For details: (209) 723-3153, ext. 315, www.yarts.com, and on Facebook.

"Happy National Park Week!! This week honors the NPS Centennial and the theme is "Find Your Park!" National Park Week, April 16 to 24, 2016, is America's largest celebration of national heritage. Park entrance fees are waived for all nine days, to encourage our visitors to "find" their park. We invite you to join in for special activities including evening ranger programs, the Earth Day Festival, Junior Ranger Day, and special evening programs offered by Centennial partner REI. For the full list of activities, visit www.nps.gov/yose/anniversary and www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm. The culmination of National Park Week in Yosemite will be the Earth Day Festival, on Saturday, April 23rd, from 10 am - 3 pm in front of the Valley Visitor Center." ...from NPS Daily Report.

Yosemite National Park- Free Admission During National Park Week April 16-24, 2016 In Honor of Centennial of National Park Service - More info on events etc visit: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm

Special offer for Spring... 15% off 2 or 3 nights, or 25% off 4 or more nights! Must mention this special offer at the time of booking. New reservations only. Now through April 30!

Spring is just around the corner, and Sunset Inn re-opens for the season in just one week! We are busily preparing to greet our wonderful guests once again. We hope to see you soon!

Winter has arrived at Sunset Inn!

This last week began with lovely fall colors in our meadow, then our first snow, and now, back to fall. We hope you are enjoying this beautiful, changeable season as well.