Our
rating = 10 "A must see"
Beautiful Half Dome (sheered in half by a glacier)
Yosemite National Park
covers a huge part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains about 200 miles east of San Francisco.
This national park gets 2.5 to
3 million visitors per year. Traffic is bad on July 4th, Memorial Day
Weekend, and Labor Day Weekend. This is home to some of the greatest
landmarks on the USA and has unique features such as the Mariposa Grove of Giant
Sequoias.
How To get there -There
are 5 entrances into the park
Summer and fall are
great months to visit Yosemite but the best months are May
and June. Snow is melting, waterfalls are spectacular
and the Valley is greening up. The park has over 800 miles of hiking
trails, beautiful lakes, and unbelievable views.
If you would like, you
can take a guided tour and we would recommend it if you have only one day in the
park. However if you can possibly allow a couple of days, then get a map and
some brochures and go and do some exploring, maybe some rock
climbing or at least boulder hopping. Take your camera and lots of film
or lots of digital storage modules and do some photography
to help preserve the memories.
Hiking
is always a great way to spend a couple of days however If
you are planning on backpacking overnight (longer than a day hike) anywhere in
Yosemite, a Wilderness Permit is required as is normal with the National Park Services. attractions.
Permits are available at the Yosemite Valley Wilderness
Center from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Permits are also available from 2 days to 24
weeks in advance by writing Wilderness Permits, P.O. Box 545, Yosemite CA 95389,
or by calling (209) 372-0740 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Before you start
any hike read the hiking
tips to help make your time safer and more enjoyable. After you have
read the tip than you will want to print out our checklist
and use it to help you to get organized.
Some of the greatest features are listed here but
there are many smaller less known features that can be best enjoyed by slowing
down and looking around.
Yosemite Valley
- 
The
central attraction of the park. This is a glacial formed valley an in some place
the mountains on either side of the valley are close creating steep walls that
you pass through. It is within the valley that many major park features are
found. World famous for its impressive
waterfalls, flat woodland, flower speckled meadows, cliffs, and unusual rock
formations - viewable by car all year. There are a number of viewpoint with
great photographic opportunities and some great picnic grounds. To really get a
full appreciation of some of the features you will want to leave you car and get
out on a trail. Many of the trails are wheelchair
accessible. The glacially
eroded alpine valley is just 8 miles long and less than
one mile wide with sheer granite walls rising vertically
over 3000 feet on either side. Nine magnificent
waterfalls cascade into the valley. Five of them are
over 1000 feet high including the 2425 feet Yosemite
Falls.
Half Dome
8,800 feet high granite mountain rising over 4,000 feet
above the Valley. Make you way to Sentinel Bridge for the best view of Half Dome.
this is one of the most
recognized symbols of Yosemite. If you want to hike to the Half Dome you can
take either the Happy Isles Trail (misty but beautiful) or the John
Muir Trail ,both of these will take you to Nevada Fall Trail, which is still a
long way from the dome but it will take there. The John Muir Trail is a
bit longer of the two but easier and is used by horseback riders and sometime
referred to as the "horse trail". The overall hike will take the
entire day at least 10-12 hours. The hike is approximately a 17 miles
round trip. Make sure that you allow as much time for the return trip, as it
will take as at least long. Bringing a flash light is a good idea. The
trail takes you around the back of the dome so it is farther than it
looks.
You
need to be in excellent shape to make the climb to the top, do not attempt it if
you have any doubts. There is a great view looking up so if you get to the base
and decide not to attempt the the ascent it is still rewarding. However if you
do decide to go all the way rest for 15 minute before staring. The parks places
cable guides along the path to help you but in some place you are going nearly
vertical. On you way down be sure to give way to persons working their way up
and sharing the cables (note the cables are only there May - October). Expert rock
climbers sometime go straight up the face but note the adjective
"expert".
Never
attempt to make the top of Half Dome during bad weather
because of the danger of lightning strikes. Take a lot of drinking water and an
fresh pair if thick socks. You will be glad you did.
Our
rating = # 9=Highly
recommended
El Capitan –
Near the entry to Yosemite Valley on the northern side of Yosemite. Perhaps the
most famous cliff in Yosemite. Turnouts along the road
provide beautiful vistas of this largest single exposed granite rock on earth – El Capitan is a favorite of
experienced rock climbers. The granite walls of El
Capitan rise for nearly 3000 feet (1000 meters) in sheer vertical splendor. So
difficult is the big wall that it takes days for most people which require
camping out while hanging in a hammock. Much of the modern technique of rock
climber has been developed by those that climb this monolith. It has proven to
be the best testing ground for both the equipment and climber.
Bridalveil Creek - is an official campground, and is the
jumping off point forr two main trails into the southern wilderness areas of the
Park. All 110 sites are well separated from each other, with fire grills,
benches and tables; the camp is bordered by the creek which, 10 miles
downstream, becomes the Bridal Veil Falls and ultimately becomes part of the
Merced River.
Bridalveil Falls –
Often the first water fall visitors see
dropping 620 feet! The Ahwahneechee people called
this Pohono, or “spirit of the puffing wind,” because of the breezes that blow the lacy waterfall sideways along
the cliff face.
Yosemite Falls –
Highest in North America and fifth
tallest in the world - a powerful chain of water twice the
height of the Empire State Building. (2,425
ft)
flows from winter through early to mid-summer. It is usually dry by sometime in
August. The falls are actually made up of three separate falls: Upper Yosemite
Fall (1,430 ft), the middle cascades (675 ft), and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 ft).
You can walk to
Lower Yosemite Fall in just a few minutes. A hike
to the top of Upper Yosemite Fall is a strenuous, all-day hike.
Yosemite Village - Gift
stores, fast-food restaurants
and the Valley Visitor Center. It is only a short drive to
Yosemite Falls from the Village.
Nevada Fall and
Vernal Fall -
Best seen from
Glacier Point. Nevada Fall is above Vernal Fall. Fern-
covered black rocks frame Vernal Fall. You will see
rainbows in the spray at its base. The hike on a paved
trail from the Happy Isles Nature Center to the bridge
at the base of Vernal Fall is only moderately strenuous
and less than one mile.
Glacier Point – is easily accessed and is probably one of the most
popular high elevation viewpoint. It's elevated position (3200 feet above the
valley) offers a breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley the Half Dome, and the
High Sierra. The Vernal and Nevada falls are also clearly visible, along the
course of Little Yosemite Valley. The road ends at Glacier
Point and it is a short walk to the viewpoint. The road is closed from sometime
in November through early May or late June.. Make sure to take many photos
here and allow time for a short hike.
Tunnel View –
For the visitor heading east towards
the valley on Highway 140, one of the most impressive
views of the valley. As you pass through the Wawona
tunnel, the valley spreads out suddenly before you.
North Dome can be seen to the left, Half Dome to the
right and many other peaks rising a full 300 feet above
the valley floor. This vista has been called one of the
most photographed on earth. View of El Capitan and
Bridalveil Fall on either side of the valley.
Badger Pass Ski Resort -
California's original ski
resort. Here you will find fewer crowds and family-
friendly activities. Services at Badger Pass include a
cafeteria, ski shop, day lodge and ski repair shop.
Portal View –
Another great view of El Capitan, Half
Dome and the Yosemite Valley.
Tioga Road -
A 39 mile scenic drive between Crane
Flat and Tuolumne Meadows - through forests, past
meadows, lakes, and granite domes. Many turnouts
offer broad and beautiful vistas.
Tuolumne Meadows –
Beautiful picturesque region located at over 8600 feet in elevation–
Good place to hike with many trails. Tuolumne
Meadows is the most extensive meadow system in the
Sierra Nevada. Enjoy the lakes, rolling fields and
rounded granite domes. Because of its elevation, temperatures in Tuolumne
average 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Yosemite Valley.
Hetch Hetchy Valley -
Hetch Hetchy is home to spectacular scenery, located in the northwest part
of the park, and is the starting point for many
less-used wilderness trails. Several lakes and popular valleys are all
within 15 miles of the reservoir. Hikers often begin longer trips here as well,
either toward Tuolumne Meadows or the northern-most reaches of the park.
The Mariposa Grove of
Giant Sequoias -
Largest stand of giant sequoias (also known as Sierra
redwoods or big trees) in Yosemite. See the Grizzly
Giant the largest and oldest of the Sequoias in Mariposa Grove at 2,700 years old. The
Mariposa Grove is located near
the park's South Entrance.
Pioneer Yosemite
History Center
–
Museum and
collection of historic buildings. There is a horse-drawn
stagecoach ride for the kids to enjoy.
Wawona Hotel -
Dating from the late nineteenth
century – near other historic buildings comprising the
Pioneer Yosemite History Center.
Crane Flat -
Minor service area that provides
opportunities for quiet, pleasant camping in the
summer and Nordic skiing and other snow activities in
the winter - a pleasant forest and meadow area
located 16 miles from Yosemite Valley. This
is a great place to begin your trip to either the
Tuolumne or Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias, which are only accessible by foot.
Crane Flat is accessible by car all year.
Wildlife - As in any of the national Parks you are not permitted to feed the
wild animals as this make them dependent on humans or distorts their taste
preferences and causes them to shun natural foods. Yosemite's
wilderness hosts about 1,460 species of plants in over 40 recognized plant
communities. These, in turn, are home to numerous invertebrate and
vertebrate species, including 78 species of mammals, 247 of birds, 17 of
amphibians, 22 of reptiles, 11 of fish, and numerous invertebrates. Visitors should also be aware of potential threats to themselves and learn
more about bears, mountain lions, poison oak, lyme disease, rattlesnakes or
other hazards.
Weather - Sudden changes in weather
catch many unaware. Drenching thunderstorms can form in a matter of hours, and
snow can fall at any time during the year. Be prepared for all weather
conditions. Afternoon thunderstorms are a frequent and spectacular occurrence in
the Yosemite wilderness. These summer storms often bring intense rain, hail, and
lightning strikes, particularly in mid to late afternoon. Plan to be over passes
and away from high open areas by noon. During a storm, stay away from
peaks (particularly Half Dome), ridges, caves, water, and open areas. Seek
shelter in low forested areas, but avoid tall, solitary trees. By setting up
camp in a safe location before lightning begins, you can enjoy the power and
spectacle of a mountain thunderstorm without apprehension.
Streams and water- Danger can lurk in the waters in the form of
drowning, physical damage from turbulence, and hypothermia. The waters in the
park are cold and often times swift moving. Use extreme care when crossing a
stream. If swept off your feet, turnover on your back and put your feet
downstream using you feet to keep yourself off of the boulders. When you get
into open water then turn around and swim with the current and at
an angle towards the shore. Never attempt to swim against the current,
you will only tire yourself out and not have the strength to keep yourself in
control.
Fee
Schedule Note if you have a National
Parks Pass or a Golden Pass then you and you family or in certain
instances all the car passengers can enter all the National Parks without
having to pay the entry fees.
Yosemite
Pass: $40 (valid one year)
Automobiles: $20 (valid seven
days)
Individuals: $10 (valid seven days)
(on foot, horseback, motorcycle, or bus aged 17
years and older)
The NPS have a
very extensive section covering the most common activities
in the park.
Wheel
Chair accessibility is
addressed in the NPS page devoted to those who need to know.
