Starting my vacation from San Francisco, I finally made it to Point Reyes National Seashore and then stopped in Columbia, California before reaching Yosemite.  Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and only four hours from downtown San Francisco, I was excited to see for myself the beauty of Yosemite so eloquently described by John Muir.

Entering the park from the west, I couldn’t help but notice fire damage to the trees, leaving them wrangled and charred.  I was surprised to learn from the park ranger that the fire was actually healthy for the forest to allow for growth of new vegetation.  While it can take a few years for this to happen, there are so many positive effects of contained fires in the park.

Traveling further into the forest, the hues of green grew stronger and the views more spectacular from the outlooks.  Soon I would be facing massive sequoias, expansive granite cliffs and towering waterfalls within the park.

Looking closely at the granite cliffs, I noticed a stratification of fractures on the face of the spectacular bluffs.  It amazed me to think that people from all over the world would come here to climb these rocks and I could only imagine the high they must feel to reach the top.  With its scenic beauty and challenging physical activities, It is no surprise that approximately 3.5 million visitors visit Yosemite each year.

Yosemite Valley is the most visited area of the park and is open all year around.  Measuring 7 miles long and only 1 mile in width, it is home to Bridleveil Falls, Yosemite Falls and Half Dome, the parks most distinctive rock formation.

While Yosemite is famous for its dramatic waterfalls and granite peaks, I was hoping for  a little trickle of water during the mid-October fall.  I was pleasantly surprised as I parked the car and started my trek towards Bridalveil Falls, to see the water coming down as waterfalls run strong during the spring and summer months.  Usually dried up by the fall season, I was thrilled with the 620 foot trickle as well as the tranquility of this amazing place.

The fall season brings cooler weather and in some cases snow.  Fortunately, the days were sunny and warm, and with the help of a below freezing sleeping bag, I was  able to sleep comfortably during the cold nights.

The park was quite easy to navigate and there are seven designated areas:  Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Glacier Point, Tioga Road, Toulumne Meadows and Hetch Hetchy.  The park covers approximately 750,000 acres and is about the size of the state of Rhode Island.  With over 800 miles of hiking trails, it is the perfect location for backpackers and birdwatchers. An abundance of wildlife make their home in the park and I was so happy to see a buck along the side of the road.

In the distance, the view of El Capitan was breathtaking as it stands close to 3,500 feet tall.  With a permit, visitors can climb up to the top of this gargantuan mound of granite.  The beauty of this place inspired famed photographer Ansel Adams, capturing spectacular photos of the area.  I was so happy to be experiencing the majesty of this beautiful space first hand.

Half Dome, looming in the distance is a hiker’s paradise at 8, 842 feet and requires a permit to hike.  There are a limited number of passes that are distributed and can be collected at the visitor’s center.

The sun was beginning to set and I would be staying the night in a canvas tent in Curry Village.  The sunset seemed so much more brilliant here in Yosemite with colors of orange and pink illuminating from the clouds.

And as I humbly reflected on the sights I had seen on my first day at Yosemite, I could not have said it as brilliantly as John Muir.  “As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing.  I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm and the avalanche.  I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens and get as near the heart of the world as I can.”

Have you had the opportunity to explore Yosemite National Park?  What fascinated you most about your visit?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message about your visit in the comments section below.

Yosemite is located in northern California in the Sierra Nevada.  For more information about Yosemite National Park, you can visit their website at https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm.

Blog Post Update!  Camp Curry is now Curry Village!

I awoke early after having spent the day exploring the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park.  The sun had already set when I arrived at Curry Village.  Spending the night in a canvas tent, the attendant suggested that I also rent a sleeping bag as the temperature would be falling overnight.  It was the best $10 I spent the whole weekend.

Camp Curry (now Curry Village) is one of three camping options at Yosemite National Park and provides such amenities as the Curry Pavilion, Village Coffee Corner, a Taqueria as well as a Pizza Deck & Bar.  Additional campsites can be found at Housekeeping Camp and Yosemite High Sierra Camps.

I awoke to breathtaking precipices surrounding the camp. The crisp smell of fall was in the air as the colorful leaves of the trees blanketed the ground and crunched beneath my hiking boots.  I was happy for the opportunity to stroll among the largest grove of sequoias in the valley – a landscape of picturesque valleys and sweeping plateaus with granite formations carved naturally by the wind, rain and glacial ice.

Dressed in layers, I set out to visit the Majestic Yosemite Hotel. Located in Yosemite Valley,  I admired its natural architecture seamlessly blending into the surrounding scenery.  Additional accommodations at the park include the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, White Wolf Lodge, the Wawona Hotel, Toulumne Meadows Lodge and The Redwoods.

Over a cup of coffee, I flipped through the Yosemite Guide, the park’s newspaper.  The publication is available at each entrance into the park as well as the visitor’s centers.    I decided my next step would be to visit Mariposa Grove where I could stroll among some of the largest Redwoods in the world.

As I approached Mariposa Grove, I noticed that parking was scarce, so I backtracked to the Wawona Hotel where I could catch a free shuttle.  I learned that there 21 stops on the shuttle route and that the park officials highly recommend the service, especially during season, when approximately 1000 passengers board the buses per hour.  There were also designated transports which would drop off hikers at some of the more remote trailheads and offered transportation for sightseeing tours.

While waiting for the bus, I found myself exploring the Pioneer Yosemite History Center which was extremely informative and fascinating.

The bus arrived and within minutes we arrived at Mariposa Grove.  Options for visiting the grove included taking the trail or purchasing a ticket for the tour.  With limited time in the park, I decided to take the tram tour which would last about an hour.  In the distance, I caught my first glimpse of one of the oldest redwoods in the forest, the Fallen Monarch.

Mariposa Grove is located in the section of the park called Wawona.  Near the south entrance, it is home to over 500 mature sequoias.   Wawona means “sound of the call of the owl” and the Indians believed that the  owl was the guardian spirit of the “Big Trees”.

The tour included a stop at the Mariposa Grove Museum.  The exhibit provided an overview of Yosemite’s history and was included in the excursion as one of the highlights of the trip.

Traveling a short distance of under 15 miles from Wawona was Glacier Point Road Junction.  It was here where I was guaranteed phenomenal views of Yosemite from Glacier Point Overlook.

There was a short walk to the overlook and I was in awe of Half Dome as it majestically stood in the distance.

From this vantage point, I was looking down into the valley floor,  3,214 feet below.

A posted placard pointed out the major highlights which could be seen from the Glacier Point Upper Terrace.  Yosemite Falls was a mere trickle during the fall season.

The time came when I needed to begin my drive towards Bakersfield.  I would be leaving Yosemite National Park by way of Tioga Road and High Country which remained open through November.  Heading south, I would follow along the rugged crest of the Sierra Nevada.   I took a moment to stop at Tenaya Lake where the reflection of the mountains were a gorgeous scene while watching the sun begin to set.

Driving along the 39-mile Tioga Road, I also encountered a stop at Olmsted Point which is known for its spectacular views of the Tenaya Canyon.  There was an easy half-mile round-trip hike which takes about a half an hour.  From here, one can take in the breathtaking view from 8,400 feet above sea level.

It was not long until I exited the park and the sun had set leaving a beautiful pink hue on the mountains.  With only two days to explore Yosemite National Park, there were so many additional activities that I was not able to fit into my schedule.  I will return again when I can participate in a ranger or photography walk, take a long hike or experience a horse drawn stage ride in the summer.

Yosemite also hosts special events throughout the year to include the Bracebridge Dinner which takes place 8 nights in December, a Vintner’s Holiday and Yosemite’s Springfest.  Open year around, there are additional winter events that are posted on the National Park’s website.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Yosemite National Park?  What would you recommend on a future visit?  I would love to hear about your trip to the fabulous national park if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  I appreciate your recommendations as well!  Many thanks for reading about my first visit to Yosemite and I wish you many Happy Travels!

For more information about Yosemite National Park, check out the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm.