Yosemite Trip: Day Four - A visit to Yosemite's The Ahwahnee Hotel

Wednesday, January 10, 2007 I am up early this morning, because today is our last day here at Yosemite Valley Lodge, and also our last day to be stationed on the Yosemite Valley Floor.  My traveling comrades will be leaving me to go over to Sequoia National Park this afternoon, and I will be traveling back down to Fish Camp and Oakhurst to shoot some more video and take some more photos of some of the lodging properties that we deal with outside of the park.
I really would like to get a few more photos and video shots from here at Yosemite Valley Lodge, before it is too late.  Plus if the weatherman is right, it is going to be cooling off before the end of the day, and the blue sky is going to be muffled by the clouds soon, so I want to take advantage of the sunny good weather while I still can.
I am scheduled to meet with the rest of my group at The Ahwahnee for breakfast at about 8:30 am, that gives me about an hour to get some more footage and photos from the property around Yosemite Valley Lodge.
It is a brisk morning. The sky is bright and baby-blue, however, the sun has not yet climbed high enough into the California sky to cast her warm rays on Yosemite Falls.  As a result, the falls have slowed to a trickle and the granite backdrop is covered in the white crystal raiment of frozen ice.
I want to photograph Yosemite Falls in the full splendor of her sun-drenched glory so I’ll have to wait a little while.  I decide to get some videos of the Lodge while I wait for the sun to complete her slow morning trek up the opposite side of the canyon.

Several minutes later, the sun bursts over the elevated horizon and Yosemite Falls awakens once again.  The granite mountain side which plays theater to Yosemite Falls slowly begins to melt out of her icy dress and beams like a pirate sail against the cerulean background.

I quickly snap a few photos of the beautiful falls and capture some video footage as well.
Burrr… Even though the sun has reached the top of the mountain, it is still a bit chilly out this morning.  I decide to head over to the food court to get my morning Latte.  The “Coffee Corner” at Yosemite Valley Lodge serves up steaming hot gourmet flavored coffee every morning which guests can get free if they present the “coffee card” which you get when you check in.  The courteous wait staff at the food court can also prepare you just about any specialty coffee beverage that you could ever want at your request.   While the specialty blends are not free, you can get a dollar off towards your total if you present your coffee card with your order.
After I have purchased my Latte, it is nearly time to meet up with my fellow travelers and drive over to Yosemite's The Ahwahnee for our morning breakfast reservations.
The Ahwahnee is only a short distance from Yosemite Valley Lodge, so it only takes us a few minutes to drive there.  I almost feel like I am entering the grounds of a Scottish Manor as my car passes sheepishly through the massive stone gateway leading into the Awhanee property.
The Ahwahnee’s profile is impressive as you pull up to her covered driveway, however, the most striking views of The Ahwahnee are seen from the opposite side of the hotel where The Ahwahnee’s lawns and cottages are located.  That is where the dining room is located with its impressive granite façade.
As you enter inside The Ahwahnee, you step several decades back in time, at least as far as her historic appearance is concerned.  Great strides have been taken at The Ahwahnee to ensure that her historic disposition remains as original as possible.
At the front desk, we are introduced to our host, Roger Young, General Manager of The Ahwahnee.  Roger informs us that the dining room staff is ready for us and proceeds to lead us through the lobby to where the dining area is.
The public spaces at The Ahwahnee are quite stunning.  The foyer outside the entrance to the dining hall boasts a massive stone fireplace with a hearth that stretches from above my head all the way to the floor.  Inside, crackling embers glow of Vermillion and emanate their warmth onto passersby.

The breakfast at The Ahwahnee is very good, just as I expected.  I ordered the Belgian Waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream.   A couple other people from my party ordered the breakfast wrap which also looked very appetizing.
Sitting inside The Ahwahnee, you feel as though you are the guest of an eighteenth-century Monarch.  The walls and ceiling are framed by impressive wooden beams, grand in both style and circumference.  Numerous windows line the walls of the dining hall and offer beautiful views of Glacier Point and the surrounding scenery.
The rooms at The Ahwahneeare older but very nice, clean and comfortable.  Most of the rooms offer impressive views of the surrounding mountains and The Ahwahnee's lush lawns.
A few rooms at The Ahwahnee offer private decks with incredible panoramic views which will steal your breath away.  I recommend rooms 444 and 450 in particular if you are looking for those extra special accommodations with a little extra spark of magic sure to make your Yosemite vacation an unforgettable experience.  These two rooms share access to a private balcony that looks straight out at Glacier Point and gives you the feeling that you are the only guest at the lodge.
The Ahwahnee Cottages are also quite nice especially if you are looking for a more secluded vacation experience.  The Ahwahnee Cottages are just a short walk from the main hotel but are hidden amongst the trees and offer very quick and easy access to the Merced River. The Cottages are quite comfortable and offer daily maid service just like The Ahwahnee.
After our tour of The Ahwahnee, we returned to Yosemite Valley Lodge to check out of our rooms.  My traveling companions are leaving me to drive over to Sequoia today.  I am going to stay here in the Yosemite area and visit some more of the lodging properties and attractions around the park.
My first stop of the afternoon is the Badger Pass Ski Area.  Badger Pass is about halfway in between the Wawona Valley and the Yosemite Valley.  Badger Pass is a great little family-friendly ski resort right in the heart of Yosemite National Park.  Badger Pass has been creating lasting winter memories for the young and the young at heart since 1935.

Unpretentious, friendly and affordable, Badger Pass offers a unique stress-free atmosphere for people of every age and skill level.  Sit back and relax on one of the best sundecks in the Sierra Nevada, watch the children learn to ski or snowboard while you enjoy the warm California sunshine.  Badger Pass is a full-service ski resort offering ski and snowboard instructions, rental equipment, ski shop, child care, cafeteria, and lounge.  You can even take advantage of Badger Pass’ free shuttle service from the Yosemite Valley.
Badger Pass provided the ultimate in-park winter playground no matter what sort of adventure you are looking for.  Ten unique and varying runs allow you to ski or snowboard all day without getting bored and non-existent lift lines at Badgers five separate chairlifts will get you back up the slopes fast so that you can keep your ski’s or board on the snow longer.

If cross-country skiing is more your forte, you will love Yosemite’s 350 miles of skiable trails and blocked-off roads.  Beginning at Badger Pass there are over 90 miles of marked trails and 25 miles of machine groomed track.  Including both cross-country track and skating lanes groomed from Badger Pass to Glacier Point – the only way to visit Glacier Point during the winter.
Your kids and the kid in you will enjoy Badgers specially groomed slopes set aside exclusively for sliding on custom-designed inner-tubes made for the snow.  The Badger Pass snow tubing area is located right next to the ski runs and offers a convenient and affordable alternative way to play in the snow.
Badger Pass also offers two-hour ranger-led snowshoe walks which depart right from the Badger Pass Cross-country Ski Center.  These interpretive trips are
great for you to spot Yosemite wildlife and get your exercise at the same time.  No experience is necessary, and snowshoe rentals are available for a small fee.
Badger Pass is open mid-December through late March, conditions permitting.
After spending several hours at Badger Pass, (unfortunately I didn’t have time to do any snowboarding…like I wanted to), I depart for Fish Camp.  Narrow Gauge Inn in Fish Camp is going to be my lodging for the night.
The temperatures have dropped significantly since earlier this afternoon, and the sky is mostly all clouds at this point.  I have a few hours left before it gets dark outside, so I am hopeful that I will be able to get some photos down in Fish Camp before it gets too dark.
I arrive back at Fish Camp with enough time to get checked into the Narrow Gauge Inn, which will be my accommodations for the night,  and still have some time to drive around a bit and get some photos and video before it gets too dark.
The Narrow Gauge Inn is a very nice lodging property just minutes from Yosemite’s southern entrance.  It is also the neighboring property to the famous Sugar Pine Railroad, an old-fashioned steam locomotive which takes tourists on 4-mile railroad excursion at Yosemite Park's south gate.
After taking a quick tour of the Narrow Gauge Lodge, of which I will elaborate more tomorrow, I decide to drive down to Oakhurst for dinner.  Martha, the owner of the Narrow Gauge Inn recommended a Mexican restaurant in Oakhurst named El Cid.
Anyone who knows me knows that Mexican food is my weakness when it comes to dining out.  Based on Martha’s recommendation, I have to try this place!
El Cid is located just north of Oakhurst city limits at the side of Highway 41. From the outside, the restaurant has an authentic “south-of-the-border” look to it.  It is decorated in white lights, which I assume remain up all year, although I can’t be certain since the holiday season is just coming to a close.  Inside, the restaurant consists of one large dining room, with the feel of a “family dinner”.  At the back end of the large dining room, there is an enclosed porch area with a few more tables.
My hostess asks me where I would like to be seated, in the main dining room or the enclosed porch area.  I opt for the enclosed porch area.  It is dark outside so you cannot see much tonight, but there is a wide valley right behind the restaurant which would provide some really great views if it were a bit brighter outside.
Everything on the menu looks very good, I finally decide on the “El Cid Burrito” which is excellent.  If you enjoy Mexican cuisine and you are ever passing through Oakhurst around lunch or dinner time, I highly recommend El Cid.
Ryan Becker

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