Hotel Charlotte
On the way to Yosemite National Park

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We Twitter! Facebook Pages to Follow: Hotel Charlotte Groveland Yosemite HWY 120

There is a new antique store in Groveland. When you come for a visit, stop into Serendipity for a walk through a bygone era. Located where the old Homemade chocolates store was, on the right just as you come into Groveland heading towards Yosemite.

I go by the theory that the more you know about Yosemite, Groveland, the surrounding Sierra region and all the activities going on year round along with all the neat people up here, the more likely it is that you will choose to head this way to actually experience some of what we have shared with you through this website. It is also our hope that you will choose the Hotel Charlotte for your lodging when you do come. With that in mind, we have started an Ask the Innkeeper section.

I will collect the questions that I get from email, on the blog and in the instant messages and enter them here. One traveler's question suggests that more of you might have the same question but aren't really sure where to get the answer or even knowing where to find someone to ask...So, Ask the Innkeeper

1. What is it with Tioga Pass being closed until the 4th of July every year
   A. This would be an exaggeration! Tioga pass is closed every winter for safety reasons, lots of avalanches along this route over the Sierra Nevada. The park does work hard to keep the pass open as late into the year as possible and open it as early in the season as is safe. You can find a list of open/close dates online at: http://www.monobasinresearch.org/data/tiogapass.htm

2. So, in the winter you can't get to Yosemite using highway 120 because Tioga Pass is closed?
   A. Oh Dear! No—you can always get to Yosemite from Groveland and Highway 120. Tioga Pass closing affects travelers coming into Yosemite from the East, not from the West. It's true that because of our dramatic views provided by the elevation climb to get into the valley that we have more snow and chains-required days than Highway 140, but the only time the route closes completely is blockage for a fallen tree perhaps, road work of a known and posted sort, sometimes an accident, but rarely general snow and weather. Carry chains, be safe and come on up for a visit.

3. The only places worth staying in are in Yosemite Valley?
   A. While you will have the experience of a life time by waking up in Yosemite Valley for the duration of your holiday, know that in many cases you will be better treated outside the park with a richer collection of amenities and prices far below those offered inside the park. There are many places to stay that are within a very scenic hour drive to the valley, saving you hundreds of dollars a night with amenities like air-conditioning, free internet, breakfast included, private baths and more. When comparing to Curry Village and the side by side tent camps....for some, outside the park amenity rich options become priceless.

4. I really only need one day in Yosemite, Right?
   A. Well....if you only wanted to drive through the park, you could see most of the roads in one day, but there is so much more to Yosemite than what you catch from the window. You could spend nearly a full day in the South at the Mariposa Grove. Those big trees are mighty impressive, then mosey your way to Wawona and to the museum there and you could even play a round of golf down there (9 very scenic rounds!)

On the way to the valley is Glacier point, you could take the side trip park and run out and take a few pictures and get back into your car heading to the valley...or you could explore Sentinal Dome, a lovely arched rock providing visitors 360 degree views without too extreme a hike, then split off to Taft point where you can crawl on your belly to the edge of the fissures and peak straight down 3,000 feet to the valley. Incredibly impressive and a moderate hike from the car park. Oh, and at this point we have spent a second day and aren't even to the valley yet with so much more to see and do.

Too late to give you the short answer, but if you only have a day come and focus on the valley and if you have more branch out from there to Glacier point road and Tioga Pass. You won't run out of things to see and do even given a week.

5. When do they turn the waterfalls back on?
This is a valid questions, some years it can get so dry as to appear turned off, but no, this isn't the case. When we start snowing in the Sierra, then the waterfalls start again. Day temperatures and sunlight on the snow does cause some melting and the rivers flow again. There is a semi-rare phenomena where the flow is light enough that the waterfall will freeze overnight. In the morning the sun will weaken the ice and the huge icicle crashes to the river bed below.

Have your own question for the innkeeper? Send me an email at HotelCharlotte@aol.com or try me online with AOL Instant messenger, screenname:  HotelCharlotte

Hotel Charlotte
On the way to Yosemite National Park
Cozy Lodging, Good Food & Spirits
Serving dinner from 5:30 daily in Summer, else Thurs-Sunday
Lunch: Daily in Summer, else Friday, Saturday & Sundays from 11:30
18736 Main Street (Highway 120) PO Box 787
 Groveland, California  95321
Reservations: (209) 962-6455,  Fax: (209) 962-6254
Email: HotelCharlotte@aol.com

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