Yosemite National Park

viewed 1,121 times
IMG_2346
Overview
Yosemite is the 3rd oldest national park in the United States (Established October 1, 1890), and one of the favorite parks in the world.  With over 800 miles of trails, it's a nature-lover''s dream. Most visitors spend all of their time in Yosemite Valley, where the most popular sights are, but there are several more amazing areas to discover if...more
Wikipedia
Yosemite National Park: Yosemite National Park is a national park spanning eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in east central California, United States. The park covers an area of 761,266 acres and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. Yosemite is visited by over 3.5 million people each year, many of whom only spend... (see full Yosemite National Park Wikipedia article)
Guides
IMG_2346
  
Staring out at almost 1 vertical mile over Yosemite Valley stands Half Dome, Yosemite's iconic masterpiece. While many tourists snap pictures of this giant from their cars...
08 - Tunnel view.JPG
Yosemite is the 3rd oldest national park in the United States (Established October 1, 1890), and one of the favorite parks in the world. It covers 1,189 square miles in the...
IMG_0411
  
Yosemite Valley is by far the most popular area of the park, attracting visitors from every corner of the workd. It is home to the most famous sights as we well as the largest...

Popular Trips in Yosemite National Park
Half Dome Hike Yosemite Park
by joost on May 28, 2008
 (31 votes)
Curry Village, California, United States
Hiking | 16.3 miles
Early start Photo
Werner at bridge Photo
Werner heading up mist trail Photo
Vernal falls Photo
Finally... after 4 years in California I had a chance to do the classic Half Dome Hike!We started early, 5.45 AM, went up via the Mist Trail, and got on top 9.30 AM. There was hardly anyone (only one other hiker on top, passed a couple more on the way up).On the way down the herds were coming up, so we were...
Half Dome
by ejobshop on Sep 09, 2006
 (17 votes)
Curry Village, California, United States
Hiking | 16.5 miles
Starting Out Photo
Vernal Falls Photo
Vernal Falls2 Photo
Nevada Falls Photo
Hike up Mist trail, down Muir trail. Long day!
4 Mile /Panorama / John Muir Trail Loop
by ace_sierra on May 30, 2009
 (10 votes)
Curry Village, California, United States
Hiking | 17.9 miles
 Photo
 Photo
 Photo
 Photo
This was my third attempt at doing this hike.  The first try was denied because the 4 Mile Trail was not open (early May) yet.  The second try got screwed up because I made the mistake of attemping to camp in the Pines Campground...big mistake when seemingly every person is determined to stay up until 4 AM yelling and partying.  I got about 1 hour sleep and was too exhausted to attempt...
Yosemite Glacier Point Snow Camping
by oruwu on Feb 15, 2010
 (8 votes)
Yosemite West, California, United States
Snowshoeing | 22.9 miles
Preparing to Leave Photo
Packing Photo
Packing Photo
Waiting Photo
For my first snow camping experience, this trip to Yosemite proved to be educational and fun.Driving up on the day after Valentine's Day was moderately calm due to the lower volume of drivers during the winter. We took the road up to the Badger Pass Skiing Area and got out of the car to a brisk sunny day. Sunglasses were a must, and it felt like the start to any summer trip,...
View all 148 trips result
Comments on Yosemite National Park
jasonchiu
1 of 1 people found this helpful
Beginning in 2010, all people using the Half Dome Trail above the subdome must have a permit in possession on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays when the cables are up.
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm
by jasonchiu on Mar 08, 2010 at 10:06:43 am

chris
What are some top day hikes to do? I've done the obvious ones (Half Dome, Yosemite Falls), but what are some other favorites? I plan to be in the Valley and in Wawona.
by chris on Feb 26, 2010 at 01:25:37 pm
navratil
I've heard good things about Four Mile, but I haven't been in the Valley when it's been clear (== not dangerously snowy) in a few years so I haven't done it myself. Out by Wawona, I seem to remember enjoying the walk by the grove back there in late summer about five or six years ago -- but IIRC it's not much of a "hike".
by navratil on Feb 26, 2010 at 02:09:19 pm

lisacisneros
Hiking to the top of El Cap is a nice one. Start at the Yosemite Falls trail and then head west when you have an opportunity.
by lisacisneros on Mar 09, 2010 at 03:11:08 pm

chris
Great, I'll have to try it. Do you know how far it is round trip?
by chris on Mar 09, 2010 at 03:24:16 pm

chris
2 of 2 people found this helpful
I am trying to plan a 2 day (1 night) snow camping trip in the near future. Does anyone have suggestions for places to go? Would you recommend skiing or snowshoeing?
by chris on Feb 05, 2010 at 03:44:03 pm

navratil
2 of 2 people found this helpful
My family has a tradition of heading to Yosemite around Easter (early to mid-April) every Spring; we lodge in heated Curry Village tent cabins (which are not only one of the least expensive lodging options in the park, they also tend to have vacancies available much later than, say, Yosemite Lodge or even Wawona) and enjoy hiking around the valley floor or getting a little elevation to play in the snow that remains.

Last year, our trip coincided with Earth Day, so my kids (ages five years and 18 months, at the time) enjoyed several of the programs and talks that the park was putting on; this year, we've invited a few other families (with children around the same age as ours) to join us. Can't wait!
by navratil on Feb 03, 2010 at 10:10:31 pm
joost
1 of 1 people found this helpful
Sounds great. We also brought our kids there 2 years ago. Now that we have 3 kids it will be a bit more of a logistical challenge, but totally worth it.
by joost on Feb 04, 2010 at 03:20:02 am

joost
I am looking forward to taking another trip to Yosemite this Spring!
by joost on Feb 02, 2010 at 02:54:52 pm
chris
Me too! I love seeing Vernal Falls in the spring when it's at its fullest!
by chris on Feb 05, 2010 at 03:44:42 pm
Tips
joost
The final part with the cables was a bit slippery, but with some care it's a safe and quick ascend. Bring gloves to hold the cables (btw there were gloves down at the cables).
by joost in Half Dome Hike Yosemite Park on May 30, 2008 at 09:11:32 am

ace_sierra
 -Don\'t miss Illouette Fall overlook and Panorama Point-Hike up with minimal water (unless it\'s hot!!).  You can refill at Glacier Point for the long hike down.
by ace_sierra in 4 Mile /Panorama / John Muir Trail Loop on Jun 01, 2009 at 02:47:37 pm

oruwu
Make sure to keep batteries for cameras and other electronics safe and warm if you plan to use them regularly throughout your trip.Try to bring more than one ground pad, most of your heat is lost to the icy floor beneath your tent.The rainfly on your tent will be covered in a morning frost, so removing it in the morning is essential to keep your sleeping bag and other things dry.My boots again proved to be the worst part of the trip. I recommend waterproof boots made for the snow, not just your typical hiking boot. (My Hi-Techs froze SOLID the second night and we had to warm them up over the camp stove for half an hour just so I could get my feet in them!)Bring lots of warm socks. At least 1 per day.
by oruwu in Yosemite Glacier Point Snow Camping on Feb 18, 2010 at 03:46:16 pm

bikkel77
Only try this hike if your in very good physical and mental shape.
by bikkel77 in Cloud's Rest and Half Dome round trip on Sep 08, 2009 at 01:00:01 pm

jwania
In August, most of the streams along the trail were dry except for 2. I have marked those spots with waypoints named CRwater1 and CRwater2. The pond looked stagnant but probably clean enough to get water using a filter pump. Sunrise Lakes with a detour of .25 miles from the trail is an option as well.There are no extreme drop offs on the trail until the very end. The summit as well as the approach to it is a ridge, so please be careful here. I met one hiker on the trip whose fear of heights kept him from making it to the top. No worries, you\'ll still enjoy all the views even if you forgo the last 100 feet or so.
by jwania in Tenaya Lake to Clouds Rest on Aug 10, 2008 at 08:08:01 pm

jwania
Take bug repellent.
by jwania in Ten Lakes on Jul 20, 2008 at 08:29:49 pm

ace_sierra
Be sure you take the side trip to overlook May Lake.  It\\\'s not visible from the true summit of Hoffmann.
by ace_sierra in Mt. Hoffmann on Sep 26, 2008 at 02:05:54 pm

Interested in Yosemite National Park?

Receive destination updates with the latest trips, comments, and more.

Yosemite National Park 3 Days Forecast

Extended Forecast

Who's Been There


Yosemite National Park EveryTrail Rangers

How To Get There
Get directions from: