Looking Down Yosemite Valley
When most people think of California, they think of beaches, palm trees, big cities, and LOTS of people.
However, there’s a place 4 hours east of San Francisco that’s unlike any place on Earth. It’s name is Yosemite National Park.
Tucked away high in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, you can expect some of the best views in North America from this wonderful National Park. You’re literally surrounded by 1,000 foot+ sheer granite cliffs carved and polished by glaciers over the last ice age.
To add, the impressive Merced River flows through Yosemite valley as the iconic Half Dome rock monolith rises upwards, and waterfalls gush all around you.
You can also expect fresh air, lots of wildlife including bear, and a different view than that of the typical California.
And there’s hiking for all skill levels ranging from a pleasant walk on the valley floor all the way to pulling yourself up Half Dome by chains. Quite simply, there’s something for everyone.
Walk/Bicycle The Valley Floor
One of the First Views When Entering Yosemite: El Cap
This is by far the best way to see Yosemite without exerting too much energy. Trails meander through alpine meadows where you can sit and have a picnic lunch, read a book, take a nap, whatever. You can also chill by the river on a beach if it’s blazing hot in mid summer.
If you want to cover a bit more ground, rent a bike and follow those same walking trails. The granite cliffs surround you as waterfalls plunge from above. After revelling at the incredible views, just be sure to keep your eyes on the path.
Glacier Point
Unfortunately, There Was A Fire And It Was Smoky
You can literally drive yourself to Glacier Point where you overlook many of the falls in Yosemite Valley as well as Half Dome. When in the valley floor, you’re constantly looking up. At Glacier Point, you’ll be constantly looking down.
Glacier Point is an excellent starting point for a hike to the valley floor as well. It connects with the John Muir Trail and takes you along two of Yosemite’s mightiest falls, Nevada and Vernal. Plus, it’s mostly downhill versus uphill as for most the other hikes. A much appreciated bonus if you don’t like working those butt muscles.
Mist Trail
Vernal Falls
This is the same trail that connects with Glacier Point, except you start from the valley floor. It starts at the Merced River, then works uphill until you reach Vernal and Nevada Falls.
Wonder why they call it the Mist Trail? Because you’re probably going to get wet as the trail cuts by both falls. The hike offers fantastic views and brings you up close and personal to 2 impressive waterfalls. Allow 4-6 hours and bring rain gear if you mind getting wet. NEVER forget lots of water and food.
Yosemite Falls
Upper Yosemite Falls
This is a real ass burner of a hike. When taking passengers on this hike, I got the impression they sometimes thought I was punishing them. Not the case, but it’s a challenging hike that offers a cool sanctuary at the top with incredible views.
Yosemite Falls is the tallest falls in North America and 5th largest in the world even though it may seem as 2 falls. It has three stages, the upper falls, a pool, and the lower falls. Many of my passengers simply hiked to the base of the upper falls and that was good enough for them. The views are nice and you can get up close to the base of the Upper Falls.
However, as with most hikes, the higher you go, the better the views get. Yosemite Falls is no exception. After countless switchbacks, and a pretty intense elevation gain, you reach the top of the falls where you see Yosemite Valley in all its glory. Plus, you can lounge on rocks above the falls and cool yourself in the water that will soon plunge off the cliff-face. Allow 6-8 hours and again, bring plenty of water and food.
Half Dome
You Climb Up the Backside of That Mother!
I’ve never had the opportunity to do this hike, but I couldn’t pass up writing a little bit about it. Now, they only allow 400 people a day to climb Half Dome, and those permits are gone within the first minute they are offered every day, thus the reason for me never doing it.
However, I’ve talked to a few people who have and the hike is unique to say the least. You must climb up the backside of Half Dome using chains to pull yourself up. Once at the top, the views are as you could expect, brilliant. So if you’re looking to obtain one those permits, check the National Park Service website for Yosemite. Then cross your fingers and hope for the best.
As with all National Parks, there are many more hikes to do in Yosemite and hundreds of miles of back-country to explore. However, if you’re only here a few days, these are the best “bang for your buck” hikes.
Although California is full of beaches and palm trees, there is much more to the state than what most expect.
So get out there and explore this wonderland we call Yosemite.
