Yosemite West

As early as 1912 logging in the Chinquapin area was started and logs were hauled to Merced Falls. The Yosemite Valley Railroad was built to remove the lumber harvested from the vast supply of Sugar Pines found along the Merced River canyon. Author Hank Johnston’s book, "Whistles Blow No More", describes the activities of the Yosemite Lumber Company in this area. In fact, the remains of the longest Incline rail system ever built are located at what is known as Camp One, just a short distance away from the Yosemite West development. The incline rose to a height of 3,100 feet (950 m) above the Merced River. The Camp One incline was used to lower logs to the Merced River at El Portal from the logging area. One of the stops on the Yosemite Valley Railroad line was the lumber mill built by the Yosemite Lumber Company where the wood was planned, finished, dried and stored. The lumber company is gone now and as a result of natural reforestation, trees surround most homes. The old train grades were redeveloped creating paved roads and underground utilities which give Yosemite West a pleasant rural atmosphere unfettered by power lines.

Yosemite West has species of pine, cedar, dogwood, manzanita and elderberry. You can find mule deer, grey squirrels, coyote and the occasional black bear passing through the area. Bird life includes Stellar Jays, orioles, and crows. In the early spring, the dogwoods awaken with dramatic bloom of their flowers. As seasons progress, the flora changes dramatically. The California Black Oak and quaking aspens add to the golden color of this fall season.

Warning: There is no fueling station in Yosemite West! In winter conditions, usually November through March, be sure to carry snow chains as they may be required.

Yosemite West is only accessible from inside Yosemite National Park. There is no other access.

Yosemite West is 0.6 mi (0.97 km) south of Chinquapin, the junction of Wawona Road and Glacier Point Road. Although there was a gas station at one time at Chinquapin, it was removed in the 1990s.

• From Fresno, Los Angeles and other points south, take State Route 41 north past Coarsegold, Oakhurst and Fish Camp. 2 mi (3.2 km) beyond Fish Camp is the Park entrance. Gas stations are available in Coarsegold and Oakhurst and they are good places to fill up as the station at Wawona (in the park)can be much more expensive. Wawona is 4 mi (6.4 km) north of south entrance. Continue through Wawona on Hwy 41 (Wawona Road) about 10.5 mi (16.9 km), until you come to the Yosemite West sign.
• From Mariposa, Merced, and other points west, take State Route 140 east. Just before entering Yosemite National Park, you will come to two one-lane bridges that were built to bypass the Ferguson Rock slide area that covered Hwy 140 a few years ago. Expect delays during the busiest times of the year. Once in the park, proceed towards Yosemite Valley. Follow all signs indicating “41 – Wawona – Glacier Point.” After passing Bridalveil Falls, proceed uphill through the 0.8 mi (1.3 km) long Wawona Tunnel and then 8 mi (13 km) more to the “Yosemite West – Private Development” sign, on your right. This can be seen right after passing the Glacier Point Road turnoff at Chinquapin.
• From San Francisco/Bay Area or Reno and points north, take State Route 120. On this route you will pass through the town of Oakdale. Follow all the signs to Yosemite Valley, then follow all signs indicating “41 – Wawona – Glacier Point.” After passing Bridalveil Falls, proceed uphill through the 0.8 mi (1.3 km) long Wawona Tunnel and then 8 mi (13 km) more to the “Yosemite West – Private Development” sign, on your right. This can be seen right after passing the Glacier Point Road turnoff at Chinquapin.
• From Lee Vining and Mammoth and points east take State Route 120 west. This road, also known as Tioga Pass, is closed during winter snow conditions. Follow all the signs to Yosemite Valley, then follow all signs indicating “41 – Wawona – Glacier Point.” After passing Bridalveil Falls, proceed uphill through the 0.8 mi (1.3 km) long Wawona Tunnel and then 8 mi (13 km) more to the “Yosemite West – Private Development” sign, on your right. This can be seen right after passing the Glacier Point Road turnoff at Chinquapin.

A car can take you to most major attractions in Yosemite National Park. However some roads are seasonal with closures occurring in winter and early spring.

Chinquapin (also, Chincapin and Chinkapin) is a former settlement in Mariposa County, California. It was 8.5 miles (14 km) north-northwest of Wawona. Also, it is adjacent to the community of Yosemite West . Chinquapin is the midway point between Yosemite Valley and Wawona, a community inside the park.

Chinquapin was built as a junction of the Old Glacier Point Road, which was built in 1882. It was a bridle trail to Glacier Point (the current Glacier Point Road, which starts immediately north of the old road was built in 1940). On a 1896 U.S. Cavalry map it is marked as "Chinquapin Station". It was named Chinquapin after Chinquapin Creek, which is immediately northwest of Chinquapin. Chinquapin Creek is today called Indian Creek.

Several hiking trails start in Yosemite West. Some of the trails follow old railroad beds from the days of the Yosemite Lumber Company which logged this area in the early 20th century. The trailhead on the east side of Hwy 41 near the turnoff to Yosemite West has a parking area and the trails lead to Deer Camp and Empire Meadow. The Alder Creek Trail branches off from the Deer Camp Trail and leads to the Alder Creek Falls.

On Azalea Road, in Yosemite West, you can follow the trail to the Henness Ridge Fire Lookout which was built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The lower branch of the trail is the Eleven Mile Trail and can be followed down to Eleven Mile Meadow, a former way-station for the stage coach lines that brought travelers to Yosemite in the past.

There are many more hiking trails nearby. Off Hwy 41 just east of the Henness Road junction is the trail head for Deer Camp Road with connections to the Alder Creek trail and Wawona. It also connects to northern trails to Glacier Point and beyond.

With the close proximity of Badger Pass Ski Area (5 mi (8.0 km)), Yosemite West is in a unique position to access down hill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and tubing during the winter months. Equipment rentals are available at Badger Pass. The cross-country skiing is very unique with 150 mi (240 km) of trails in the snow, including many groomed trails like the trail to Glacier Point. During the winter, the visitor center at Glacier Point is converted to an overnight hut for those that venture to this designation. The facility has a bunk area that sleeps up to 20 skiers in one big room.

Badger Pass is a very family-oriented facility. For the very young, there is the tubing hill supervised by Badger Pass staff. A parent can ride along if they wish, to add to the experience. There are also group and private skiing lessons for all ages.

For those that just want to watch, Badger Pass has a cafeteria, lounge and a large seating area on the extended deck. The deck offers a panorama view of the downhill and snowboarding slopes. The flat area in front of the deck is used by skiers and snowboarders as an equipment staging area to prep for the slopes or meet with others.