Yosemite Drive and Potluck Picnic

We're heading to Yosemite National Park!

ACGG Yosemite Drive and Potluck Picnic - Saturday June 6, 2015.

 

Get ready for a great day of driving your Audi and seeing some of the most beautiful sights in North America. Yosemite Valley is world famous for its impressive waterfalls, meadows, cliffs, and unusual rock formations.  This time of year, the first spring flowers should be blooming, the rivers rushing and the waterfalls at full capacity.

 

What to expect

We will meet at Starbucks in Manteca, 1451 Hulsey Way just off Northwoods Ave. This is west of 99 at the 120 offramp. Directions to this location can best be found through Google maps, but is close to the freeway highway. Meet up time will be 9:00 AM and the club will be buying coffee and breakfast snacks for all attendees. At Starbucks we will go over the tentative schedule for the day and head to the Yosemite Valley NLT 10:30. We will have one rest break along the way.  We should arrive park entrance about 11:30 and into the valley about 12:00. We want to see as much as possible and do some short hikes (Yosemite falls, Vernal Falls,  etc) and see other sights, Mirror Lake, Bridal Vail Falls, Half Dome, etc. The agenda can vary based on collective input. Along the way about 1:00 or 1:30 we will find a picnic grounds and share a pot luck lunch. The Club will bring the plates, utensils, beverages, napkins, etc. You will need to bring stuff (food - see online registration form for details) to share. I will try to give everyone an assignment so we do not end up with 6 bowls of potato salad. The list is attached ... bring plenty to share. Previous drives to Yosemite have produced true "foodie" picnics and have added a lot to a beautiful day.

 

After Lunch...

After lunch and pictures we will continue meandering around the park and taking in all the visual beauty that is on display.  There are many places to bike or hike and there are lodging options to stay overnight in the park.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

If the group wishes to meet later in the afternoon we can meet at the Ahwanee Hotel about 4:30-5:00 for further planning and/or farewell beverage. Some of us will head back maybe stopping for dinner in the foothills and others will have made overnight arrangements either in the park or just outside.

Your to do list should include a full tank of gas when we leave Manteca ... It is about 120 miles from Manteca to the valley floor.

 

Preparation

The weather can be highly variable, and can change on short notice so be prepared for a variety of conditions; and coats, hats, gloves etc are advised to have in the car. Binoculars, camera, etc. are a must. Comfortable walking shoes are advised. We should have club radios to communicate between cars in case we get separated or need to take an unscheduled break.

 

For this trip to Yosemite, you simply arrive, and prepare yourself to enjoy the drive, the sights, meeting new people, and forming lasting memories.  The cost of the event is $20/car and driver and $15 /guest. Don’t forget to bring an additional $20 for your car's admission to the park.

 

If you have any questions or are going to be delayed contact Tanya Maher tanya@audiclubgoldengate.org or Tom Lagerquist tom@audiclubgoldengate.org.