Top Ten Things to do in Yosemite

Our Local Expert Says:

If you really only have time for one hike (and you're fit enough for this burly climb) this is the hike to do. Steep cliffs, the crashing Merced River and one gorgeous waterfall.

Description:

The Mist Trail parallels the John Muir Trail from Happy Isles to the top of Nevada Fall and many people make a loop of the two. Here we'll describe just the Vernal Fall section. The trail is paved or granite and is very popular for a good reason - astonishing scenery, a stiff ascent and an astounding 300' waterfall. Bring water, sun protection, and if it's May or June, consider bringing raingear, when the route beside Vernal Fall could be called the "Firehose Trail." The climb from Happy Isles runs steadily up a good paved surface with a few views of the Merced River's rapid descent. You first see Vernal from below at the footbridge, where in summer there is drinking water and a restroom. Another 20 minutes up and you'll reach the mistiest section. About 600 granite steps, with steel railings where needed, get you to the top of the fall.
Be careful of the slick granite as you top out on the stairs and descend to the edge of the fall. Aggressive ground squirrels haunt the top - do not feed them or leave your stuff unattended. Peer over the railing at the edge, back down the gorge you've just climbed. Be careful around the swiftwater-... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

A great education can be had between exhibits, the bookstore, the film and talking with rangers.

Description:

The Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is the heart of Yosemite Village and is open daily, with hours varying with the season. The visitor center is immediately west of the main post office in the park at shuttle bus stops #6 and #9. You'll find information, maps, books, a series of great natural and cultural history exhibits, and helpful rangers to get you oriented to visiting the park. Every half hour the park's award-winning film is shown in the Theater out back. The Indian Museum and Indian Village are adjacent.

Our Local Expert Says:

Along with Yosemite Valley, Abraham Lincoln protected these trees in 1864; the first time in history that a national government preserved land for the citizens simply because it was beautiful.

Description:

This grove was part of the world's first 'national park,' protected by the US government 8 years before Yellowstone. It's open all year, but you can only drive in during the summer and fall. In winter it's a couple mile walk, ski or snowshoe along the access road -very worthwhile. These trees are huge, up to 300' tall, and 25-30' across at the base. The Grizzly Giant is a main attraction, a mile's walk from the parking area. The famous Tunnel Tree fell down in 1969, but there's a second tree with a tunnel cut through it next to the Grizzly Giant.
Walking trails lace the grove of several hundred trees, and a small museum in the upper grove makes an informative and scenic stop. Those who don't want to hike on these slopes can take a 1.5 hour tram tour for $26, with headset narration in 6 languages.
Parking is limited so for much of the summer, plan to park at the Wawona Store and take a free shuttle every half hour. Trailers and RV's should not go up the narrow road into the grove.

Description:

This 2-mile round-trip trail begins from the Dog Lake/John Muir Trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows. Find it by going in on the side road to Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. Bring water, snacks and a camera.

Begin hiking uphill and north from the trailhead. Soon you cross the highway and continue on up through forested switchbacks. Take your time at this elevation. The Dog Lake route continues straight ahead over the top of the ridge, while you'll go left along the ridge, still going uphill until the trail puts you onto the granite shoulder of Lembert. A bit of easy walking then a somewhat exposed class 2 hop puts you on top of the viewing platform for Tuolumne Meadows. Wind, sun and a lot of rock await you. The gentle Tuolumne River winds below, and you can see its source in the Lyell Glacier miles to the south.

Retrace your steps to descend, or go a bit further to Dog Lake, or circle around Dog Dome to come back to level ground to the west.

Description:

The park's concessioner runs a series of good quality bus tours, from the popular 2-hour Valley Floor Tram Tours, with rangers narrating, to the all-day Grand Tours. The Valley tram is fondly known as the 'Green Dragon' for the greenish flatbed trailers which drag tourists around the loop. You'll learn a lot and many people ride the Green Dragon year after year. New for 2010 will be special subject (climbing, birds, geology, etc.) 3-hour Valley Trams. Longer tours go to Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove and to Tuolumne Meadows. Details are at the Delaware North website, or the tour desks at Curry Village, the Ahwahnee or Yosemite Lodge.

Description:

This very strenuous, seven-mile round-trip hike gains almost 2,000 feet in elevation. Start at Happy Isles Shuttle Stop Number 16 and work your way through the crowds visiting Vernal Falls. Above Vernal you get a breather, cross the river and resume climbing switchbacks adjacent to Nevada's roar. As you climb the gully, you will be treated to a nice profile of Nevada Falls. Be sure to bring water, and wear a hat as well as comfortable walking shoes or boots. Parts of the trail loop are closed in winter. For your safety, it is recommended that you complete this hike before dark. Be very careful at the top of Nevada; too many people have been lulled into the gentle water above the falls and ended badly.

Our Local Expert Says:

Consider doing this hike as a 2-day backpacking trip, camping in Little Yosemite Valley. You'll get a get an early start and have the summit to yourselves, avoiding some of the dayhikers. Plus, you'll enjoy the Yosemite backcountry and won't have to submit to a single 16-mile day.

Description:

Don't try this incredible trail unless you're truly ready for a very challenging adventure. You can do it as one-day epic or as a backpack trek but either way, you need to be in top condition, with comfortable walking shoes, start up early in the morning and take in plenty of water and food as you go. If there's any chance of rain or lightning, do not go above treeline.
This is a tough day not just because it is 16 miles round-trip, but because it is 4800' up and then down. Large numbers of people are whipped before the top, almost everyone is completely thrashed when they do make it.
Be aware that you'll need to have a new kind of permit for dayhikes every day of the week in 2011. Get these via www.recreation.gov. No one can go up the trail and the cables without either a day use permit or a Wilderness permit for overnighting en route.
The trail starts at Happy Isles and climbs quickly up along the Merced River, past 100m Vernal Fall, then 200m Nevada Fall and into Little Yosemite Valley at about the 4.5 mile mark. If you reserved a Wilderness permit, or got in line at the Wilderness Center early the day before, you can pitch your... read more

Description:

Yosemite Valley has more than 12 miles of bicycling trails on the flat valley floor that have a variety of prepared surfaces. These trails are also suitable for strollers, bikes with trailers and even wheelchairs, and they are one of the best ways to see the sights. You can rent bikes by the hour or by the day. Rentals are available at the Yosemite Lodge and at Curry Village, but not in the winter; spring and fall rentals depend on conditions. Helmets are mandatory and are provided free. Riding on hiking trails in the park is not permitted.

Description:

This trail begins from the Taft Point/Sentinel Dome Trailhead along Glacier Point Road. The trailhead is on the southern rim of the Yosemite Valley. This short hike leads to one of the most popular, and climbable, domes in the valley, and amazing views of the natural features within Yosemite Valley. The trail is well used, with its course obvious to hikers.