This was our first journey back in time to see what Yosemite had to offer us. It was a very spiritual trip as we looked in wonder at all this park had to offer. From the minute we pulled into the park my jaw dropped and I could not believe I had never taken the time to experience this before. In my 20s I was only a couple hours away while serving time in the military and never even thought about making the trek. Enjoy Yosemite National Park
I put together a list of the must-see places within the park and hope you enjoy them enough to go see them for yourself. Yosemite will definitely not disappoint you and your family.
Yosemite National Park
The drive into Yosemite is very inconspicuous as it seems to be just the usual small back road into just any park. Our trip was a little more adventurous with part of the road being washed out but still wasn’t prepared for what was ahead. I remember coming out of a clearing and it was like the beginning of the Jurassic Park movie for me. El Capitan standing guard, it was almost like you were forced to stop and pay respect before you could go further.
If you’ve been there you already know it’s like nothing you have seen before. The sheer rock faces, waterfalls in every direction you look, the Half dome at sunset, the valley floor, and Sequoias on the back burning in case all the rest of this bores you.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s famed for its giant, ancient sequoia trees, and for Tunnel View, the iconic vista of towering Bridal veil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. In Yosemite Village are shops, restaurants, lodging, the Yosemite Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery, with prints of the photographer’s renowned black-and-white landscapes of the area.
The best times to visit Yosemite are May and September when the park is accessible but not too crowded. It’s important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed for the majority of the year due to snow.
If you only plan to do a few hikes and drive around to see the sights, three days is enough to see almost everything. May need a little more time if you like to linger, want time to enjoy more ranger-led activities, attend evening programs, take tours, and hang around enjoying the scenery.
Where to Stay in Yosemite National Park (2021 • COOLEST Areas!)
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El Capitan – Yosemite National Park
Rock climbers will find a few vertical rock formations as challenging as El Capitan (left, background). At one time “El Cap,” which stretches roughly 3,000 feet from base to top, was considered impossible to climb. Today, the most popular route to tackle is The Nose, which follows the rock’s huge projecting front.
Yosemite Falls
Discover the highest waterfall in North America and the sixth largest in the world: Yosemite Falls. At 2,424 feet, the waterfall is a major attraction in the park, located in the central Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. It’s best viewed in late spring when snowmelt flows most vigorously.
Half Dome
The granite dome in the background is Yosemite’s most popular rock formation: Half Dome. The granite crest rises more than 4,737 feet above the valley floor and hikers can ascend it with the use of cables.
Tuolumne Meadows
Discover this meadow section of Yosemite along the Tuolumne River. Wild, wonderful plant and tree species to explore include Ross’s sedge, Lodgepole Pine, and dwarf bilberry. The area also offers day-hike and camping opportunities (the park service campground is open from July through late September).
Valley View
Thank the 145-mile-long Merced River: It’s responsible for carving out the glacial valley known as Yosemite Valley. The valley is about eight miles long and a mile deep, with an amazing vantage point offered at Valley View. This turnout is located near the park exit, traveling west on Northside Drive
Tunnel View
Journey along State Route 41 and you’re in for a treat: The viewpoint known as Tunnel View offers a breathtaking snapshot of Yosemite Valley and several of its attractions — El Capitan, Half Dome, and the waterfall Bridal veil Fall (pictured, center).
Cathedral Peak
The Cathedral Range of mountains stretches through Yosemite — and Cathedral Peak is their star attraction. At a height of 10,911 feet, the granite peak was first scaled in 1869 by naturalist John Muir — perhaps the first person to undertake a class-four climb anywhere in the Sierra Nevada range (of which Cathedral is a sub-range).
Bridal veil Fall
Looking to meet someone special? Head to Yosemite’s Bridal veil Fall. The 617-foot waterfall owes its name to a legend from the Ahwahneechee Native American tribe: They believed that inhaling the mist of the waterfall would improve one’s chances of getting married.
Glacier Point
One of Yosemite’s best viewpoints is Glacier Point. Located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, the overlook rises to an elevation of 7, 214 feet with great views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall (a 317-foot waterfall), and Nevada Fall (594 feet).
Vernal Falls
After an afternoon hike, cool off with the gentle mist that sprays from a nearby waterfall. That’s what you’ll experience when you take a two- to five-hour hike near Vernal Fall. The hike starts at the Happy Isles trailhead and reaches the base of the waterfall. This is not an easy hike by no means, but it is worth the effort to see it, especially after a good rain.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Visitors look up at one of the largest living things on Earth: A giant sequoia. It’s also one of the oldest. Within Yosemite’s mariposa grove of 500 giant sequoias, visitors will find trees more than 3,000 years old.
Nevada Fall
Within a small glacial valley (Little Yosemite Valley), you’ll find Nevada Fall. The 594-foot waterfall owes its name to its location — it’s the nearest waterfall to the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Meanwhile, the Native American name for it is Yo-wy-we, meaning “wormy” water, signifying the twists of the falling water.
Yosemite National Park
What Now?
Go over to the coast after Yosemite, specifically to the Monterey/Carmel area, and be sure to stop at Point Lobos State Reserve. Yosemite Valley and Point Lobos are the two most beautiful places in California. If you have time, drive south on Highway 1 to get a sampling of the Big Sur country
Join us on our adventures as we begin life as full-time RV’ers. We are still in the beginning stages as far as going all in but we have begun the adventures as you can see from this article. Please visit us @ 2boomersandababy.com
Imagine
Close your eyes for a moment and just think about this. It’s sunrise, and you roll out of your RV, morning air feeling brisk, fire from the night before taking its last breath as it’s trying to reignite. You find your favorite chair in the site, turn it to look out over the lake, and nestle in to relax. Birds chirping and fish jumping as the new day begins. This is what it’s all about!………. Now imagine a hot cup of coffee in your hand. Life just got so much better!
If you are a coffee lover, check out our other site that has information and products for any coffee enthusiast @ TheGRIND.blog
