I am fly ro San Francisco on 22nd Aug arriving at the airport mid afternoon. My plan is to go to Merced to buy supplies and arrange a mail drop and travel next day to Yosemite.Will I be able to get to Merced on the day of arrival.Or is there a better way to start?
As a retired Arborist I do wish to see the big treea (Sequoias)in the Park-how far off the trail are they,will I see smaller Sequoias on the trail any way?
English Stu
The short answer is yes, you can get to Merced on the day you arrive but it would be a really long day. Greyhound or Amtrak can get you out of San Francisco late pm/early evening arriving at Merced maybe 9pm. Assuming you are flying from England that will be almost 24 hours total travelling time.
I’ve done that trip a few times and have always stayed in San Francisco at least one night. I have then either travelled to Merced for a night then caught the early bus to Yosemite arriving mid morning, or gone direct from SF to Yosemite leaving early morning, arriving early afternoon. Shopping for supplies and mail drop can easily be sorted out whichever way you go.
Once you get to Yosemite, I’m afraid the Sequoias are a long way from the trail. Its about 12+ miles from Yosemite village by road to the groves and I don’t think there is any public transport going that way. Once you start the JMT you are heading away from them.
If you really want to see the Sequoias, how about renting a car at the end of your hike to get back to the airport. You could see the Yosemite or Sequoia/Kings Canyon trees and go to Muir Woods north of San Francisco for the Redwoods.
Enjoy your trip.
Phil B
Thanks Phil B.My guide book says that the post office in Merced is closed on Saturday when I will be there. It goes on to say I could use a firm called Mail Boxes,etc.can I do priority mail thru them? see below .I plan to send a food drop to Muir Trail Ranch but as they do not collect after 15th Sept I therefore needed to send by Priority Mail to ensure it gets there before me. Bearing all this in mind am I better arranging things in San Francisco ,not Merced ,as no doubt there will be a post office open in SanFran. I did not want to send to earlier places as I might get there before them? I do intend to go to VVR and Independence if that helps with resupply comments. Re the big trees- there is Redwood grove in Toulumne/ Crane Flats I am searching info on that but would welcome any local knowledge. Is that anywhere near the trail
english stu