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[Glacier Point Road Development Concept Graphic]

Wawona District

Glacier Point Road Corridor

The road from Chinquapin to Glacier Point parallels the Yosemite Valley rim, providing access to spectacular views of the Valley and the Sierra Crest. Visitors to this part of the park enjoy unique opportunities for scenic viewing and downhill skiing. This road also provides access to most of the backcountry in the southern half of the park, making it a popular entry point of hikers, backpackers, campers, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers.

The primary interpretive themes at Glacier Point will be scenery and biotic systems and geology - relating to the formation of Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra. Secondary themes will be history and astronomy. Interpretation at Badger Pass will be minimal, providing parkwide information, orientation, and conservation messages. Interpretation along the rest of the corridor will relate to viewpoints, trailheads, and other points of interest.

Chinquapin

Visitor Use Goals

  • Remove intensive development

    Visitor Use Actions

  • Remove gas station and comfort station

  • Redesign intersection and restore site

    Park Operations Goals

  • Improve efficiency of road maintenance during winter months

  • Remove nonessential housing

    Park Operations Actions

  • Construct a covered sand storage structure at Henness Ridge

  • Remove residence

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    Badger Pass

    Visitor Use Goals

  • Provide opportunities for family-oriented downhill skiing and other forms of winter recreation with existing facilities and capacities

  • Promote increased summer use of the area

  • Alleviate congestion and overflow parking during winter

  • Interpret activities and resources along Glacier Point Road

    Visitor Use Actions

  • Retain existing facilities and enforce a safe slope capacity

  • Provide ski equipment rental and sales

  • Retain first-aid station

  • Provide storage and repair facilities for snowshoes

  • Retain 600-car parking area

  • Continue winter bus service from the Valley and Wawona

  • Retain lodge for fast-food service, rest rooms, and gift and clothing sales

  • Provide seasonally changing interpretive exhibits in the lodge

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    Bridalveil Campground/Summit Meadow

    Visitor Use Goals

  • Provide for year-round backcountry access

  • Enhance cross-country skiing opportunities

  • Enhance horseback riding opportunities

    Visitor Use Actions

  • Retain existing campground (110 sites) and provide winter camping access

  • Construct a 50-car paved parking area for hikers and cross-country skiers at Bridalveil trailhead

  • Retain Ostrander ski hut

  • Continue year-round road access

  • Provide two group campgrounds/trailheads for horseback riders
    (25-horse capacity at each)

  • Provide parking areas for 100 cars along Glacier Point Road near Summit Meadow

  • Construct a ranger contact shelter at Summit Meadow

  • Provide trailhead parking for summer use

    •  [Glacier Point Development Concept Graphic]

    Glacier Point

    Visitor Use Goals

  • Maximize the drama of the visual experience at Glacier Point

  • Provide interpretive programs

  • Remove intrusive facilities

    Visitor Use Actions

  • Construct a gentle, winding loop trail from the parking area through the trees to the Glacier Point Overlook

  • Remove unused paved roads and trails

  • Provide 150-seat interpretive program area suitable for daytime and nighttime interpretive programs, including storage for astronomy equipment

  • Continue bus service from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point

  • Relocate comfort station to parking area

  • Remove unnecessary and unused paved trails

  • Remove existing gift sales and fast-food service facilities and provide minimum food service and merchandise directly related to the interpretive experience at Glacier Point

    Park Operations Goals

  • Provide adequate housing for essential employees

  • Provide underground powerline from Union Point to Glacier Point

    Park Operations Actions

  • Retain ranger residences

  • Replace 4 tent cabins and shower house with 4-unit dormitory

  • Construct underground powerline from Union Point to Glacier Point along road shoulder

  • Improve water and sewer system

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