TRAVEL-202609-uswest/days/2026-09-22.md

# Sep 22 (Tue) — San Francisco → Yosemite

**Stay:** [Cabin — Wawona](../bookings/stays/cabin-yosemite-wawona.md) · check-in 4:00–11:30 PM

## Logistics

- LK flies independently to Kansas City: [SFO 8:48 AM PDT on `CCW47N`](../bookings/transport/flights-ms.md); arrival and flight number are TBC
- LK stays at [Hotel Phillips Kansas City](../bookings/stays/hotel-phillips-kansas-city.md) for JNUC 2026, Sep 22–25
- Check out of the Airbnb by 11 AM · group departs ~7 AM · Hwy 120 via Oakdale, ~4 hrs to the Valley
- Groceries and a full tank in Oakdale — last supermarket; Wawona has a small store. No gas in the Valley; in-park pumps at Crane Flat (Hwy 120) and Wawona (by the store), 24 h pay-at-pump
- Wawona host notified Sep 19: estimated arrival approximately 8:00 PM

## Plan

> Menu: [`parks_sights.md`](../parks_sights.md). Route runs west→east into the Valley, then out via the Wawona road so Tunnel View comes at sunset.

- **~11:30 AM** Enter via Big Oak Flat (Hwy 120); down into the Valley
- **Midday** [Bridalveil Fall](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.71954,-119.64932) (5-min walk) → lunch in Yosemite Village
- **Afternoon** Lower Yosemite Falls loop (1 mile) or rest; falls may be dry
- **~5:00 PM** Cook's Meadow Loop — 1 mile, flat, Half Dome in warm light; ~40 min. Park at [Sentinel Bridge](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.74420,-119.58973); the loop starts across the road
- **~5:50 PM** El Capitan Meadow on the way out — face lit from the west; 15-min stop. Northside Drive is one-way west, so there is no second pass. Two pullouts beside the meadow, in driving order: [east end](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.72708,-119.63033) (by the El Capitan Drive crossover) and [west end](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.72453,-119.64089). The [El Capitan Picnic Area](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.72818,-119.62057) is *before* the meadow. If both pullouts are full: continue over Pohono Bridge, east on Southside Drive, stop at [Cathedral Beach Picnic Area](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.72292,-119.62438) (El Capitan across the river), then left at the El Capitan Crossover back onto Northside Drive — ~20 min extra. Do not loop for the picnic area; that is ~40 min
- **~6:15 PM** [Valley View](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.71728,-119.66187), a few minutes further on, just before Pohono Bridge; small lot at the viewpoint, 10-min stop
- **~6:35 PM** [Tunnel View](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.71557,-119.67689) — arrive 20 min before the ~6:55 PM sunset; lots on both sides
- **~7:45 PM** Wawona check-in — Hwy 41 south ~40 min, then right on Chilnualna Falls Road at the Wawona store, ~2 min to North Wawona

## Addresses

| Place | Address | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin — Wawona | 2627 Spelt Road, Wawona, CA 95389 · green house on the left · **door code 0517** · wifi `Yosemitecabin` / `!Yosemite!` · host +1 209-347-6333 · staff +1 559-598-0890 | [37.54718, -119.64746](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.54718,-119.64746) |
| Bridalveil Fall lot | Southside Drive | [37.71954, -119.64932](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.71954,-119.64932) |
| Sentinel Bridge lot (Cook's Meadow) | Southside Drive, Yosemite Valley | [37.74420, -119.58973](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.74420,-119.58973) |
| El Capitan Meadow — east pullout | Northside Drive, at the El Capitan Drive crossover | [37.72708, -119.63033](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.72708,-119.63033) |
| El Capitan Meadow — west pullout | Northside Drive | [37.72453, -119.64089](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.72453,-119.64089) |
| El Capitan Picnic Area | Northside Drive, *before* the meadow | [37.72818, -119.62057](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.72818,-119.62057) |
| Cathedral Beach Picnic Area (fallback) | Southside Drive | [37.72292, -119.62438](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.72292,-119.62438) |
| Valley View | Northside Drive, before Pohono Bridge | [37.71728, -119.66187](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.71728,-119.66187) |
| Tunnel View | Wawona Road (Hwy 41) | [37.71557, -119.67689](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.71557,-119.67689) |