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Yosemite National Park

There aren't many original things left to say about Yosemite. It is one of the most beautiful spots in the United States. Yosemite is especially the place to visit if you love waterfalls, massive rocks and strenuous hikes. Visitation is at its peak in summer but there are too many cars and people in those months. A Spring visit has the following

Advantages :

  • A much smaller crowd with which to do battle for parking.
  • The waterfalls are well-fed with the melting snows.

    Disadvantages :

  • Road closures. Tioga Pass - the road that cuts right through the park is closed till April-May because of the snow and this means that some of the most scenic spots - like Glacier Point are inaccessible.

    Yosemite Valley, though, is open year-round and offers excellent views of El Capitan and Half Dome - quite possibly, the park's best known features. Hiking these two magnificent masses of rock is hugely popular. One can drive through most of the park but it is a good idea to take the free shuttle bus that quickly takes you through most of the scenic locations so that you can come back and spend more time at any spot that you find particularly attractive. This is also more environment-friendly.

    The Rocks

    El Capitan and Half Dome are the subject of some of Ansel Adams's most stunning photographs. El Capitan is the largest single block of (exposed) granite on the planet and Half Dome is to Yosemite as the Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco.
    El Capitan, Yosemite National Park View of Half Dome from a meadow, Yosemite National Park View of Half Dome from Sentinel bridge, Yosemite National Park Sunset over Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

    The Falls

    Yosemite NP is also home to several waterfalls, among them : Yosemite falls, the fifth tallest in the world, Bridalveil falls, Vernal falls and Nevada falls. Spring is the best time to see the waterfalls when the weather begins to get warm enough to melt the snow accumulations of the winter away. In spring, the base of some waterfalls still have a massive cone of ice that has not yet melted.
    Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite National Park Yosemite falls, Yosemite National Park Yosemite falls, Yosemite National Park

    The Lakes

    Yosemite NP has several lakes - among them Tenaya lake and Mirror lake. Mirror lake is a short mile and a half hike away from the main road of the valley. Half Dome is reflected in the lake and this is a particularly good spot for some photography. The wider the lens, the better - a 28 is about the minimum to get both the mountain and a spot of the sky and their reflection in the lake. There was a sign warning us about mountain lions but we saw no signs of any.
    Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park

    Bears

    Bears are common in Yosemite and there are 'bear-resistant' canisters available on rent. If you plan to spend the night, make sure there is no food that can be easily seen or smelt by the bear. Remember that is 'smelt by the bear'. If you are planning on long hikes you should definitely read up some safety information before setting off.
    Sign warning against bears, Yosemite National Park Tree thicket, Yosemite National Park

    How to get there and when to go

    The best information about Yosemite is at the website of the National Park Service. The park entrance is about a 3 to 3-1/2 hour drive from the Bay Area (San Francisco or San Jose). It is about 2 hours north of Fresno if you are driving up from Southern CA.

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