Yosemite National Park

Visited: June 2014

Nearby city: Fresno, CA

A tourist once asked a park ranger at Yosemite "What should I do if I only have one day to spend at Yosemite?" The ranger replied: "I'd weep."

I have to agree with the park ranger on that one. And yes, Tara and I only spent one day at Yosemite. ONE DAY! It's probably the most egregious error Tara and I have made in our quest to complete all 59 Parks. Yosemite is number one on our list to return and spend a considerable amount of time in. It is the most jaw dropping beautiful valley I have ever seen in this world.

"It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter."

-John Muir

The Park covers a large section of central California in the Sierra Nevada. There are a number of sequoia groves: (1) Mariposa Grove near the South Entrance and (2) Merced Grove and (3) Tuolumne Grove, both near the Big Oak Flat Entrance. There is the high alpine section of the park, accessed by the Tioga Road that goes by the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. There is also the Hetch Hetchy Region, that is a launching point for lots of backpacking and wilderness trails. But the crown jewel of the park is the Yosemite Valley, home of Half Dome, El Capitan, the Merced River, and Yosemite Falls. 

Fresno, CA is the closest major city, but there are smaller cities that are closer: Oakhurst (South Entrance) and Mariposa (Arch Rock Entrance) that serve as great launching pads to explore the Park. There is also lots of lodging in the Park and a number of campgrounds. Entrance Fee is $30.

So, although I don't recommend it; here is our itinerary for visiting the park in one day. As with all popular parks (and Yosemite is enormously popular, there will be crowds all over Yosemite Valley, it's sometimes called the Disneyland of the National Park system) get an early, early start to beat the crowds and enjoy some solitude.

We entered at the South Entrance along the Wawona Road. We bypassed the Mariposa Grove and the Pioneer History Center to get to the turnoff to Glacier Point Road as soon as possible. This road is only open between May and November, and it provides outstanding views of Half Dome and the Yosemite Valley. It was our first stop of the day and it did not disappoint.

view from Glacier Point. The most prominent feature is Half Dome

the higher waterfall is Nevada Falls, the lower one is Vernal Falls

Yosemite Falls (combined drop of Upper and Lower Falls is 2,425 ft) makes it the tallest waterfall in the USA

There was low snow/rainfall this year so the Falls weren't as impressive as it usually is in early June

"There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods...and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children's children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred."

-Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir at Glacier Point

Just a few miles away from Glacier Point (heading back to the main Wawona Road) is the trail head to Sentinel Dome or Taft Point. We took the nice mile hike to Taft Point for great views of El Capitan.

After the pleasant hike, the large looming sheer granite face of El Capitan comes into view. At 7,569 ft, El Capitan is one of the most impressive features of the park.

"The mountains are calling, and I must go." - John Muir

"Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space."

- Ansel Adams

Back on Wawona Road, you're next stop will be the famous Tunnel View. One of the most photographed viewpoints in the National Park system. El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Fall on the right, Half Dome way in the back, and the whole glory of the Yosemite Valley at your feet. Make sure you stop here.

You can tour the valley on one of these open-air trucks

Tunnel View selfie!

It's a one-way loop road to access the Yosemite Valley. Your first stop is Bridalveil Falls, it's a quick half mile hike to get a close up of the Falls. Head further down the road, enjoy the Merced River and great views of Half Dome. It's a lovely, peaceful valley.

Take a one mile trail to the base of Lower Yellowstone Falls.

We took the Tioga Road to leave the park. It's a very scenic drive that's only open in the summer. We got one last look at Half Dome. We want to go back so bad.

We had such a good day at Yosemite. It is such a beautiful place, it will blow you away. Alright, I'm out of superlatives. Just visit this place. Even if you spend one day in the Park, it's worth it. But try to make it a longer stay. Check the site for more info. https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm