We always recommend minimum one to three day sightseeing and hiking itineraries for guests (ask upon arrival) with another activity thrown in for spice.

But also check out the following for that extra day of fun or if you have seen the sights already before.

And remember, we are not surprised to see one to five guests a day just hanging at the Bug to relax for once in front of the fire or in a hammock.

SWIMMING is fantastic at the local swimming hole from mid-May to late July, and from July to October in the Merced River nearby.

Take advantage of it, you are on vacation and you can avoid crowds and have fun. The most underrated activity at the Bug.

Check out our own groovy trail around the Bug 50 acres. You will see more birds (esp in spring) than most other places, including the park. Walk among black oak groves and tall alder nooks. Follow a creek in flood with waterfalls, or sit contemplating hummingbirds along a lazy, grassy stream. We see deer, turkeys, boars, bears, bobcats, skunks, etc around our place; they come year round because we have a spring. See flowers of all types in microclimes that support cooler buckeyes and redbuds (great in April), and hotter buckthorn or chamise chaparral. Red flowers for hummingbirds, and white flowers for huge moths. Occasionally, you will surprise redtail hawks or blue herons. The route is steep and slippery in places, so be prepared with correct shoes. The route down to the swimming hole and creek island is fairly easy with steps. if you have a bit, do wander around and take up to an hour about the Bug Loop.

Local Events as well can be found at the following Mariposa Agri-Nature Trail Weekend in the County and Home Of Yosemite .

HIKING in the High Sierra and Tuolumne Meadows begins when the Tioga pass opens in mid May. Register with the Wilderness Center in Yosemite Village for backpacking overnighters.

End your High Sierra trip here at the Lodge and the Cafe at the Bug. People do it all the time when their food is stolen by a bear, when they over-do themselves, or they want to relax in the mountains without working at it.

For day trips go to Tuolumne Meadows by car. Do it now while you can before October snows. Cool trails go from Glen Aulin to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, to Mono Pass overlooking Mono Lake, the shorter Cathedral Peak hike overlooking Tenaya Lake, or you can scramble up many of the smaller domes ringing the Meadows.

The Tuolumne and Merced Sequoia Groves are close to the highway en route. Kids love the May Lake Hike and a swim in Tenaya Lake.

Ten Lakes are great for kids overnight. Yosemite Valley hikes are in Summer splendor but can be crowded. We can send you instead to the Glacier Point for many rim trails around the Valley instead. Take kids to the 360 degree view from easy to access Sentinel Dome.

Remember only 11% of Yosemite's 4 million annual visitors get off of the road and out of Yosemite Valley.

CLIMBING is the true extreme sport of Yosemite. It is useless to discuss since most climbers already know everything about Yosemite before arrival. There are local rentals available in El Portal for equipment. We have climbers on staff who can make great recommendations to you if you are experienced.

Great climbing links:

	Suptertopo has Great Rock Climbing Info Climbing classes from Yosemite Mountaineering School 209-372-8344