Oakhurst, California is a town of about 18,000 people in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at the junction of Hwy 41 and the southernmost end of the infamous ‘Golden Chain’ Hwy 49. This bustling California town is rich in history and began its existence in the 1850s as a stagecoach stop called Fresno Flats. Today it is the southwest gateway to Yosemite National Park. Mel and I choose to stay at Oakhurst Lodge. It is comfortable, well located, and there is a pool.
Following an excellent dinner at the nearby Di Cicco’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, we return to discover many of our fellow lodgers are here in Oakhurst to participate in a Show and Shine. Photos for Ken.
These impressive vehicles are meticulously maintained. Following supper, we stroll along Hwy 41 and soon find the nearby, historic Little Church on the Hill. It was founded in 1894, two years after my Father was born, and I think of him and the huge contribution he made to my life. My Father was 54-years-old when I was born. He passed on just before Christmas in 1976 at the age of 85. I have been privileged to spent more time with him since his passing than I did when we shared a physical presence. Much of that time has been in the wilderness where less distraction encourages positive reflection.
Strolling in the opposite direction, we find a log cutting of a 2,000-year-old Giant Sequoia which was blown over by a winter storm in 1979. The tree had a 50 foot (15.3 m) circumference and weighed 900,000 ponds. It is a hint of what we shall soon experience at Mariposa Grove, located in the south-west corner of Yosemite National Park.
There are many impressive wood carvings throughout town. There’s good wood here.
From Oakhurst, Mel and I will hike in the south-west corner of Yosemite National Park and each day, we work our way further towards Yosemite Valley. It is routine for us to drive Hwy 41 into Yosemite National Park. At the Park Boundary, and entrance station, Hwy 41 becomes Wawona Road. The road is a twisting, turning, rollercoaster ride. Much of it is through dense forest or on scenic edges reminiscent of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Montana. We do not take the time to visit the always fully-booked Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad but we pass it every day and it appears to be a wonderful place to visit and learn more about development of the area. Lengthy Wawona Tunnel, between Oakhurst and Yosemite Valley, pops out at the very busy and scenic Tunnel/Discovery View. It is a short distance from the tunnel to pass Bridalveil Falls and enter the awesome and incredible Yosemite Valley.
Soon after our arrival in Oakhurst, we learn from a kind lady, about THE place to dine. It is the Sweet Water Steakhouse and Restaurant on Hwy 41, a short distance north of town. The food is consistently excellent, plentiful and reasonably priced. The bourbon is good. It is a busy place and strangers speak to you. Down home. If you are very fortunate, your server may be Chelsea who is enjoying her new beach with her family in Fish Camp.
Prices in the United States are markedly lower than in Canada. The Canadian dollar, at this particular time, is worth slightly more but the differences are so great, one cannot help but wonder why there is such a huge discrepancy. I use the opportunity to purchase a new pair of Vasque soft, ankle-high, Gor-tex hiking boots with Vibram soles at Miller’s Mountain Sports across the street from Oakhurst Lodge. The saving is substantial.
Free subscription to Hiking With Barry
Curious as to what the average cost would be for hiking shoes and boots. A gortex shoe would be difficult to get under $200 and boots between $300 and $4oo. I have trouble with my feet, so it is very stressful deciding if the comfort one feels in the shop is going to continue when they are walking.
Thank you for your comment, Helen. In Canada about $180 Cdn. In the US $140 US. I have written a post on the selection of an appropriate hiking boot which you may find helpful. Check categories on the right margin. There are many opinions and a search will likely bring up a large number of them. Finding the right boot can be very time consuming and frustrating but I believe it is worth your time to get it done right. I have been wearing updated versions of the same boot from the same manufacturer for over 30 years. Occasionally, I try on more expensive boots but I cannot find anything better. I wear leather, full height Raichles and Gore-tex Vasques. This may not work for you at all. I have known several women who could not find any woman’s boot but found good fit in a man’s boot. I wish you well. A great boot is very important.
Hear, hear! Yes – I enjoyed the show/shine vehicles as well as the little church & large sequoia.
I thought you would enjoy those. It is only a tiny sample of the 200 magnificent cars at the show or at the lodge, for that matter. We did not get to the show but there were probably 20 staying at Oakhurst Lodge. I am certain you would have enjoyed chatting with the owners of the cars. Thanks for your comment, Ken.
Just catching up on your Yosemite stuff. It’s so true when you describe Yosemite as a frantic place – it surely is the craziest, busiest National Park that I’ve ever been to. My first visit was the first week of November in 2008 and it was a brilliant time of year to go. There was nobody there! It was crisp and cool, but we still had lots of sunshine and a dusting of snow on the otherwise empty trails. We got to run up to Glacier Point via the trail from the valley and as the road was closed, we had it all to ourselves. Heavenly. In the Mariposa Grove, they had just completed a “controlled burn” – can you imagine being the guy to light up that match? Again, we had it all to ourselves before heading to Oakhurst for a late lunch. Someday, I hope to run the John Muir Trail – and one of my big dreams is to do the Pacific Crest Trail, passing right through the heart of Yosemite along the way from Mexico to Canada. A girl’s got to dream!
Leslie recently posted..Happy New Year!
Normally we conduct targeted missions in the second week of September. There is a bit of a sweet spot right after the kids return to school, summer has wound down and seniors haven’t fired up the RV’s yet. This rule does not apply to Yosemite. It was very busy and the spring, fall shoulders would have been a better choice as you suggest. When I have the opportunity to return, there is a lot of trail left to pursue. Much of it is spectacular in the high elevation Sierra Nevada but we have all the gear to manage that. Yes, earlier or later to avoid the crowds.
In Mariposa Grove there is much evidence of natural and prescribed burn. It is a treasure worth every effort to protect. The trees are massive and stately. Mel and I found the experience both humbling and ethereal. Once we hiked away from the areas closest to parking, we enjoyed a lot of wilderness privacy. Oak trees were reminiscent of Canada. I would not choose to be the one holding the match. It is hilly terrain. You may have noticed there is an underground water transport system.
The John Muir Trail begins at Stop 16 in Yosemite Valley. The front end is synonymous with the Mist Trail. The John Muir Trail heads south and ends 212 miles (339.2 KM) later at the summit of Mount Whitney. I will not be joining you on that one but I sure will be looking forward to your blog trip reports. Ditto on the Pacific Crest Trail. They will be life altering and forever memorable experiences. You ran up the Four-Mile Trail !!! I am impressed. That is 4.6 miles and 3,200 feet of elevation. You never cease to amaze me, girl. Never give up your dreams. You may not get them all but part of the growth is in the dream and the plan. I am on the downside of the cycle now and pretty much stick to fair weather day trips but the gifts I received over the years were beyond anything I could have imagined. What I am doing now is what newbies should be doing to enjoy the lifelong, spiritual journey. To embrace challenge and the wilderness is to discover the essence of life. It took several decades for me to get it but I have been told I am not the brightest bulb on the tree
It helps to keep the inner child alive and well. Thanks for your comment, Leslie. Good to have you back. Banff will benefit from your return.
Pingback: Coulterville - Yosemite National Park, Hiking California
Pingback: Yosemite National Park Trip Epilogue - Hiking California