2022: What’s New in Yosemite Mariposa County
From the addition to new culturally diverse historical sites to the triumphant return of popular national park visitor services including new discoveries, Yosemite Mariposa County checks in with what’s new for ’22.
The Chinese Laundry
Just opened in October 2021: the Yosemite History Center in Wawona is one of Yosemite National Park’s hubs for history – perhaps now more than ever with the discovery that Chinese workers at the iconic Wawona Hotel originally utilized a
century-old building there as a laundry. The building is part of a cluster of historic buildings with a fresh focus on telling a more nuanced, multiethnic history of the Park.
The narrative of immigrant Chinese workers and their contributions to Yosemite Mariposa County is often overlooked. Serving as cooks, landscapers, and laundry workers, Chinese immigrants also helped build
Tioga Road and Wawona Road.
Many first came to California during the Gold Rush, seeking fortune but also fleeing severe drought and famine in southeast China.
They brought training, skills, and expertise in the disciplines of construction, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and textiles.
Yosemite Climbing Museum Gets Foothold
The Yosemite Climbing Museum celebrates its grand opening in Spring 2022 with images, and an incredible collection of historic climbing gear, all highlighting the amazing climbing stories centered in Yosemite.
Visitors to Yosemite Mariposa County can reach a new peak
of local rock climbing lore and legacy at the Yosemite Climbing Association Museum & Gallery. The center features more than 10,000 pieces, a priceless collection of historical climbing artifacts (including stove leg pitons used on early Nose route ascents of El Capitan), and dozens of archival photographs.
The Yosemite Climbing Museum & Gallery will celebrate its grand opening in Spring 2022. Discover this muchanticipated new attraction in the town of Mariposa on Highway 140.
Glacier Point Road Closed for Construction
Glacier Point Road will close to all traffic in 2022 to rehabilitate and improve the popular high-country highway. Critical road safety work will be complemented by upgrades to the Glacier Point parking lot, scenic overlooks, and overflow parking areas at the popular Sentinel Dome and McGurk Meadow trailheads.
The existing roadway was completed in 1936, replacing the original wagon road built in 1882. This area annually attracts a high volume of traffic as it provides access to Bridalveil Creek Campground, Glacier Point, the Badger Pass Ski Area, and favorite valley rim trailheads.
Important related note: Glacier Point Road closure does not impact access to Badger Pass Ski Area, which is just below the point of closure.
Access to the renowned Glacier Point overlook in 2022 will be limited to hikers only via the strenuous Four Mile (9.6 miles roundtrip), Panorama (17 miles roundtrip), and Pohono (13.2 miles roundtrip) trails that start in Yosemite Valley, more than 3,000 feet below Glacier Point. Glacier Point Road will
reopen, with construction delays, in 2023. Yosemite National Park’s FAQ Page has additional details.
Fortunately, there’s more Yosemite to explore during Glacier Point’s much-needed reset. The Wawona area of Southern Yosemite is a hub for history and natural attractions
like Chilnualna Falls, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, and the Yosemite History Center (see “Historic Rediscovery” below).
Northern Yosemite’s high country, accessed via seasonally open Tioga Road, offers Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, Olmstead Point, and numerous wilderness area trailheads, many leading to Yosemite Valley’s northern rim and other elevated Park points of interest.
Under-the-radar but powerful in person, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir anchors the northwest corner of the Park where the easy Wapama Fall hike is one of Yosemite’s biggest bang-for-theboots
payoffs. The Tuolumne Grove and Merced Grove of giant sequoias rise majestically adjacent to Highway 120 along the western edge of Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite Shuttle Back in Business
Following a year interrupted by pandemic-related issues, the
popular Yosemite Valley Shuttle System returns in 2022 with free and convenient service to 20 stops within the Valley via ecofriendly buses.
The Yosemite Valley shuttle will operate from 7 am to 10 pm. Shuttles stop in proximity to Valley lodging, stores, and major vista points, and connect with the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) at four Yosemite Valley stops for easy transfers to the wider YARTS service area. The system map is available online, detailing all service including seasonal lines to Badger Pass Ski Area, Wawona Hotel, Mariposa Grove, and Tuolumne Meadows.