Agree, and it depends on what time of year you are going. Some of the higher roads are closed a good bit of the year.I've spent as little as 6 hours and as much as 6 days and 5 nights. Yosemite Valley can be done as a quick trip for a few hours. I'd recommend longer, but you can see quite a lot in a few hours.
Agree, and it depends on what time of year you are going. Some of the higher roads are closed a good bit of the year.
Most of the valley can be seen by driving, plus a few short hikes -- or you could spend days and days there. It's the most beautiful place I've ever been. I have not taken the above tour, but I've seen the trucks many times and it looks like a great way to see the valley.
I also agree with Mary Jo's suggestions if the roads are open, and I would add a drive to Wawona tunnel for the spectacular classic postcard view. The first time I took my wife there, we drove up from LA and came in via Wawona. Approaching the tunnel is beyond non-descript -- so boring the tunnel was an upgrade -- and she had no idea what to expect. But as soon as we exited the tunnel, she started screaming, "STOP THE CAR!!!!!" I did, of course, and she spent more than an hour there photographing the valley below. Absolutely breathtaking.
There are dozens of amazing hikes, both in the valley and the upcountry, but I'll give you three easy ones.
There's also a lot of interesting history in Yosemite, from the earliest people, to the Gold Rush days, and even to becoming the first natural place put under U.S. Government protection to preserve the beauty of the place. (Yellowstone was the first National Park, but Yosemite was protected before Yellowstone) And Yosemite's first protectors, of course, were Buffalo Soldiers of the U.S. Cavalry, many of whom were Black Seminoles -- descendants of Black Seminoles relocated from Florida to Oklahoma in the 1830's after the Second Seminole War. Pretty interesting and convoluted journey!
- To the base of Yosemite Falls, which is right in the heart of the village almost. Not sure of the distance, but short and flat.
- To the base of Bridalveil Falls. A little longer. Again, not sure of the distance, but the park website will have tons of details. Also pretty flat.
- Mist Trail -- this one is straight up, but easy because of numerous switchbacks. There's a reason why this is called Mist Trail -- it's alongside Vernal Falls, and you're going to get soaked. Further up, another mile maybe past Vernal is Nevada Falls and that's a nice little additional walk on pretty level terrain. At the top of Vernal Falls, respect the setting and use common sense. No wilderness setting is a good place for horseplay or stupidity, especially a place like this. A few years ago, some hikers decided to wade in the pool just above the falls. One got in trouble, two others went in to help, and all 3 went over the falls and died. Be safe and have fun.
No, I haven't met Shelton, although I've heard of his programs. I'm sure he's a really good interpreter.So, have you met Shelton Johnson, the park ranger who uncovered a photo of said soldiers protecting Yosemite? He did a research project where he visited archives in San Francisco and found that they came from the Presidio via horseback to Yosemite. He also does a reenactment where he portrays a soldier. The name is real from the archives, but apparently he gave him a promotion to sergeant.
Another park ranger (Rik Penn) at the Presidio (now part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area) does talks based on the story from the San Francisco side.
The view from the side of the tunnel is of course called Tunnel View. There was a little bit of controversy because the National Park Service cut down some trees to improve the view, but in the grand scheme of things it shouldn't be that big a deal. The natives would actually burn the forest to clear brush and to create preferential conditions for the oak trees that produced their food source (acorns). The Valley Floor tram tour actually stops there.
As far as the Mist Trail goes, it's only 1.5 miles and not all that difficult for someone who is reasonably fit. However, the NPS rates it as "strenuous" because it can get really tiring with that much vertical elevation gain and how hard it can be on the knees/hips.
No, I haven't met Shelton, although I've heard of his programs. I'm sure he's a really good interpreter.
There are dozens of amazing hikes, both in the valley and the upcountry, but I'll give you three easy ones.
There's also a lot of interesting history in Yosemite, from the earliest people, to the Gold Rush days, and even to becoming the first natural place put under U.S. Government protection to preserve the beauty of the place. (Yellowstone was the first National Park, but Yosemite was protected before Yellowstone) And Yosemite's first protectors, of course, were Buffalo Soldiers of the U.S. Cavalry, many of whom were Black Seminoles -- descendants of Black Seminoles relocated from Florida to Oklahoma in the 1830's after the Second Seminole War. Pretty interesting and convoluted journey!
- To the base of Yosemite Falls, which is right in the heart of the village almost. Not sure of the distance, but short and flat.
- To the base of Bridalveil Falls. A little longer. Again, not sure of the distance, but the park website will have tons of details. Also pretty flat.
- Mist Trail -- this one is straight up, but easy because of numerous switchbacks. There's a reason why this is called Mist Trail -- it's alongside Vernal Falls, and you're going to get soaked. Further up, another mile maybe past Vernal is Nevada Falls and that's a nice little additional walk on pretty level terrain. At the top of Vernal Falls, respect the setting and use common sense. No wilderness setting is a good place for horseplay or stupidity, especially a place like this. A few years ago, some hikers decided to wade in the pool just above the falls. One got in trouble, two others went in to help, and all 3 went over the falls and died. Be safe and have fun.
So cool. I've never heard of him. I hope to find out more when we go next May (we're doing Panoramic trail again)So, have you met Shelton Johnson, the park ranger who uncovered a photo of said soldiers protecting Yosemite? He did a research project where he visited archives in San Francisco and found that they came from the Presidio via horseback to Yosemite. He also does a reenactment where he portrays a soldier. The name is real from the archives, but apparently he gave him a promotion to sergeant.
Another park ranger (Rik Penn) at the Presidio (now part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area) does talks based on the story from the San Francisco side.
Cutting down those trees made a big difference in the view from this point.The view from the side of the tunnel is of course called Tunnel View. There was a little bit of controversy because the National Park Service cut down some trees to improve the view, but in the grand scheme of things it shouldn't be that big a deal. The natives would actually burn the forest to clear brush and to create preferential conditions for the oak trees that produced their food source (acorns). The Valley Floor tram tour actually stops there.
So cool. I've never heard of him. I hope to find out more when we go next May (we're doing Panoramic trail again)
Agree, and it depends on what time of year you are going. Some of the higher roads are closed a good bit of the year.
Most of the valley can be seen by driving, plus a few short hikes -- or you could spend days and days there. It's the most beautiful place I've ever been. I have not taken the above tour, but I've seen the trucks many times and it looks like a great way to see the valley.
I also agree with Mary Jo's suggestions if the roads are open, and I would add a drive to Wawona tunnel for the spectacular classic postcard view. The first time I took my wife there, we drove up from LA and came in via Wawona. Approaching the tunnel is beyond non-descript -- so boring the tunnel was an upgrade -- and she had no idea what to expect. But as soon as we exited the tunnel, she started screaming, "STOP THE CAR!!!!!" I did, of course, and she spent more than an hour there photographing the valley below. Absolutely breathtaking.
There are dozens of amazing hikes, both in the valley and the upcountry, but I'll give you three easy ones.
There's also a lot of interesting history in Yosemite, from the earliest people, to the Gold Rush days, and even to becoming the first natural place put under U.S. Government protection to preserve the beauty of the place. (Yellowstone was the first National Park, but Yosemite was protected before Yellowstone) And Yosemite's first protectors, of course, were Buffalo Soldiers of the U.S. Cavalry, many of whom were Black Seminoles -- descendants of Black Seminoles relocated from Florida to Oklahoma in the 1830's after the Second Seminole War. Pretty interesting and convoluted journey!
- To the base of Yosemite Falls, which is right in the heart of the village almost. Not sure of the distance, but short and flat.
- To the base of Bridalveil Falls. A little longer. Again, not sure of the distance, but the park website will have tons of details. Also pretty flat.
- Mist Trail -- this one is straight up, but easy because of numerous switchbacks. There's a reason why this is called Mist Trail -- it's alongside Vernal Falls, and you're going to get soaked. Further up, another mile maybe past Vernal is Nevada Falls and that's a nice little additional walk on pretty level terrain. At the top of Vernal Falls, respect the setting and use common sense. No wilderness setting is a good place for horseplay or stupidity, especially a place like this. A few years ago, some hikers decided to wade in the pool just above the falls. One got in trouble, two others went in to help, and all 3 went over the falls and died. Be safe and have fun.
The other two main areas to see are Tuolumne Meadows and the Wawona area/Mariposa Grove. The Mariposa Grove will likely still be closed to visitors, as they are doing a complete remodel of the facilities there. So, unless you are interested in staying at the Wawona Hotel or campground, you probably won't have much to do in that area. As already mentioned, you can have a nice drive through Tuolumne Meadows if you leave the park that way to head towards Vegas.
If you plan to stay in/near Yosemite overnight, I definitely suggest staying in the valley as well. There are a handful of campgrounds (reservations open 5 months in advance at 7 am PST and go very quick), as well as a couple of hotels (reservations open a year in advance). Driving into the valley takes at least an hour on windy, nauseating roads. You are best just staying there instead of doing that drive each morning. Don't be fooled by the campgrounds/hotels that say they are "right outside Yosemite! Just minutes away!" Usually this means they are just minutes from the border of the park, but not the valley, which is where most everything you would want to see is located.
The other two main areas to see are Tuolumne Meadows and the Wawona area/Mariposa Grove. The Mariposa Grove will likely still be closed to visitors, as they are doing a complete remodel of the facilities there. So, unless you are interested in staying at the Wawona Hotel or campground, you probably won't have much to do in that area. As already mentioned, you can have a nice drive through Tuolumne Meadows if you leave the park that way to head towards Vegas.
In addition to the very easy Bridalveil Falls and Yosemite Falls walks, if your family is at all interested in history/geology then you will want to stop by the visitor's center and museum. If your family is interested in swimming, there is a short hike to Mirror Lake which provides a nice watering hole where we encountered several families out swimming/lounging on the sand. Also, do not miss Glacier Point! You will need to drive up another long and windy road to get there, about an hour's drive from the valley. But it is worth it. The view at the top is amazing. I would consider it one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. We used some photos we took there as the background for our wedding invitations!
If you are staying in the valley, once there you will want to park your car at your campsite/hotel and likely not move it (except for the drive to Glacier Point, unless you do that on the way) until you leave. There are only a couple of roads through the valley, and they can quickly become congested, so it is highly suggested that visitors take the free shuttles to their various destinations. Stops are all over the place and buses arrive frequently. Or, a popular solution is to bring or rent bikes and bike throughout the valley. I had so much fun doing this as a kid.
As for how long you stay there, I would think that two nights would be perfect.
Enjoy your trip!!
What wonderful information! Would you happen to know a nice hotel to stay at in the valley? If not, I can look, you just seemed to know the area so well, I thought you might know of one.
Thank you for all the info!