Yosemite National Park Is Only 25 Miles Away -- Welcome to Miners Mart!

Most folks think the hills are "closed for the winter," but we're here all year so come on up. Click here to see current road conditions for California. You can still drive into the Yosemite Valley floor, even though Tioga Pass is closed for the season. You can see current conditions in Yosemite valley in the web cam picture to the right.

Yosemite Park offers much to do in the winter, including skiing (both downhill and cross country) at Badger Pass Ski Area as well as snowshoeing. The later is also available at Crane Flat and the Mariposa Grove, which is spectacular in the winter.

You can also iceskate at the Curry Village Ice Skating Rink, conditions permitting.

Be sure to carry chains, or stop at our store on your way and pick up a set -- all main roads are kept well plowed into the Park, except for Tioga Pass Road from Crane Flat to Lee Vining and the Glacier Point Road past Badger Ski Area. Both are closed in the winter

Yosemite Park, only 25 miles up the road, is 1,170 square miles, with 200 miles of roads and 840 miles of hiking trails, and is over 90% undeveloped.

Yosemite Park trail maps are available at our store or from the Visitor Center, and ask Yosemite Park rangers for suggestions about trails. Behind the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center you can take a self-guided tour of an authentic recreation of an Indian village, then go next door to the Indian Cultural Exhibit and Fine Art Gallery.

Take a drive through Yosemite Valley, and stop at some of the vistas along the way: the 2,425 foot Yosemite Falls; Three Brothers peaks rising one above the other; Valley View with panoramic views, and Bridalveil Fall, a 620-foot waterfall; the largest single-granite rock on earth, El Capitan, rising 4,000 feet above the valley; Cathedral Rocks; and Cathedral Spires; and Glacier Point, possibly the best views in Yosemite Park.

Click here to see a picture of Half Dome taken from a satellite.

Picture below shows I.O.O.F. Hall in Big Oak Flat. Typical of the many buildings that used to be in the area prior to one of the many fires that burned Big Oak Flat to the ground.

The iron doors, closed in the picture, were closed when fire threatened.

Travelers have been stopping in Big Oak Flat since James Savage found gold here in 1849. A year later, he explored Yosemite Valley (said to be the first white man to do so) while chasing a group of Indians.

Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) was a toll road to Yosemite until 1915; it remained a dirt road until the 1920s. Only horses could travel in the winter mud past town, and axle-deep dust in the summer covered vehicles and riders. The toll gate was where we are now.

Today, Highway 120 is paved, of course, and takes you directly to the floor of Yosemite Valley.


	Yosemite Park is just 25 miles up the road.
Most folks think the hills are "closed for the winter," but we're here all year so come on up. Click here to see current road conditions for California. You can still drive into the Yosemite Valley floor, even though Tioga Pass is closed for the season. You can see current conditions in Yosemite valley in the web cam picture to the right. Yosemite Park offers much to do in the winter, including skiing (both downhill and cross country) at Badger Pass Ski Area as well as snowshoeing. The later is also available at Crane Flat and the Mariposa Grove, which is spectacular in the winter. You can also iceskate at the Curry Village Ice Skating Rink, conditions permitting. Be sure to carry chains, or stop at our store on your way and pick up a set -- all main roads are kept well plowed into the Park, except for Tioga Pass Road from Crane Flat to Lee Vining and the Glacier Point Road past Badger Ski Area. Both are closed in the winter Yosemite Park, only 25 miles up the road, is 1,170 square miles, with 200 miles of roads and 840 miles of hiking trails, and is over 90% undeveloped. Yosemite Park trail maps are available at our store or from the Visitor Center, and ask Yosemite Park rangers for suggestions about trails. Behind the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center you can take a self-guided tour of an authentic recreation of an Indian village, then go next door to the Indian Cultural Exhibit and Fine Art Gallery. Take a drive through Yosemite Valley, and stop at some of the vistas along the way: the 2,425 foot Yosemite Falls; Three Brothers peaks rising one above the other; Valley View with panoramic views, and Bridalveil Fall, a 620-foot waterfall; the largest single-granite rock on earth, El Capitan, rising 4,000 feet above the valley; Cathedral Rocks; and Cathedral Spires; and Glacier Point, possibly the best views in Yosemite Park. Click here to see a picture of Half Dome taken from a satellite. Picture below shows I.O.O.F. Hall in Big Oak Flat. Typical of the many buildings that used to be in the area prior to one of the many fires that burned Big Oak Flat to the ground. The iron doors, closed in the picture, were closed when fire threatened. Travelers have been stopping in Big Oak Flat since James Savage found gold here in 1849. A year later, he explored Yosemite Valley (said to be the first white man to do so) while chasing a group of Indians. Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) was a toll road to Yosemite until 1915; it remained a dirt road until the 1920s. Only horses could travel in the winter mud past town, and axle-deep dust in the summer covered vehicles and riders. The toll gate was where we are now. Today, Highway 120 is paved, of course, and takes you directly to the floor of Yosemite Valley.
			Miner's Mart (above) sits at the approximate location of the toll chain that used to stretch across the highway when it was simply called the Big Oak Flat Road. Today, 24 hour pay-at-the-pump can speed you on your way. Try our delicious deli selections. Web cam (below) of Tioga Pass. Picture is copyrighted and provided by the Yosemite Association (www.yosemite.org)

		Yosemite Lodging Yosemite Information and Resources Yosemite Transportation Other Things to Do and See near Yosemite Miners Mart 17451 Highway 120 Big Oak Flat, CA 95305 209-962-4768 (voice) 209-962-4413 (fax) minersmt@minersmart.com (email) Website design by Throckmorten.

Yosemite Park is just 25 miles up the road.