Yosemite National Park Guide Details
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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. It covers 1,189 square miles in the western Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. 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 you have the time. The park's elevation ranges from 2000ft to 13,114ft (600m to 4,000m), stretching from Giant Sequoia groves housing 200ft trees over 2,000 years old, to breath-taking valleys carved by glaciers, and home to the highest waterfall in America, to high meadows filled with rivers, lakes, and wildflowers. Over 3.5 million people from around the world visit Yosemite each year. The park offers lodging reservations up to 1 year in advance, which are usually booked only a few minutes after the phone lines open up each day.
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley is by far the most popular area of the park, attracting visitors from every corner of the world. It is home to the most famous sights as we well as the largest crowds. The valley is about 7 miles long (and about 1 mile wide) and contains many great hikes such as the Mist Trail, which passes 2 spectacular waterfalls before continuing up to Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan. The Merced river flows through the valley, and you can rent rafts to float down this gentle river, or just dip your feet in to cool off from the afternoon heat.There are many great places to stay such as the famous Ahwahnee Hotel or Yosemite Lodge, and Curry Village is a great place grab a snack or some ice cream after a long day's hike. Be sure to check out the Visitor's center while you're here and take advantage of the free, eco-friendly shuttles with many destinations throughout the valley. If you are interested in camping, be sure to make a reservation early, as spots in first-come-first-serve campgrounds fill up quickly.
Tuolumne Meadow
Tuolumne Meadows is about a 90-minute drive from the valley and offers a completely different perspective on the park. At around 8500ft at its lowest point, it is a mile higher than the valley and is filled with wild flowers, rivers, and sharp granite peaks. The only way to access this area by car is along Tioga Road, which is closed Novermber to May due to snow conditions. If you have the extra time, this area is a great place to go to escape the crowds of the valley. There is a high sierra camp complete with tent cabins, showers and a restaurant. At the restaurant you can order lunches to carry with you the next day while exploring the meadows. Be sure to check out Tenaya lake where you can swim, picnic, and find the trailhead to hike Clouds's Rest. If you are a granite junkie, you will find some great rock climbing here at Pothole Dome, Lembert Dome, and Fairview Dome among others. For hikers there are great trails to Soda Springs, Lembert Dome, Glen Aulin, Cathedral Lakes, and Lyell CanyonBe prepared: is it colder here than in the valley, and weather can change suddenly. If you see dark clouds form or hear thunder you will not want to be the highest thing in the meadows.
Wawona and Mariposa Grove
For yet another view of the park, visit Wawona and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees (located near the southern entrance to the park). The historic Wawona Hotel has a swimming pool, golf course, a beautiful meadow, and a great restaurant. Nearby you can go on horseback rides or hike up the steep trail to Chilnualna Falls. The highlight of this area is the mariposa Grove of Big Trees, and you won't want to miss it (you can catch a shuttle bus here to avoid having to find parking). Here you will walk among giants over 200ft tall and over 2,000 years old, you can also take a tour on a "train" through the trees, with stops to take pictures and visit the cabin of Galen Clark. You can ride back down or take the easy walk back to the parking lot where you can buy drinks and ice cream among other souvenirs. Some trees that you won't want to miss are: The Fallen Monarch, The Bachelor and Three Graces, The Grizzly Giant, the California Tunnel Tree, The Faithful Couple, The Clothespin Tree, and the Telescope Tree.Hetch Hetchy
If you are searching for a more isolated area, away from the other hikers, for your wilderness experience, try the Hetch Hetchy valley. Home to many back-country trails, this area is the least-visted in the park. Although it is in the shadow of the Yosemite valley (it's hard to find something that isn't), this area is not to be missed if you are a Yosemite regular, have some extra time, or just want a change of scenery from valley life.Beware of Bears
There are thousands of bears in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and it is best to take all necessary precautions (You don't want your doorless car to be featured on the bear warning fliers). Many bears have become accustomed to human food, and while they will likely be more afraid of you than you are of the bears, don't be foolish. Most campgrounds offer food storage containers for overnight (and even midday) storage. Be sure to remove all food from your cars (trunk, too!) along with anything else that is scented (sun screen, toothpaste, deodorant). If you are backpacking with a wilderness permit, you will need bear canisters for your food (a bag with a rope is not enough for Yosemite, and will get you in trouble with both the bears and the rangers. If you forgot your bear canister at home, you can rent one from a permit or ranger station. You should do all that you can to keep yourself--as well as the bears--safe. It is better to be safe than sorry.
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