Classic Yosemite Valley © Bala Sivakumar
Most of Yosemite’s main attractions (El Capitán, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls) are in a relatively small area (Yosemite Valley), but it’s a disservice to yourself and your family to race into the valley, check-off these sites, and zoom away to the next destination. A park ranger said it best when a visitor hastily asked the question: “I’ve only got an hour to see Yosemite. If you had an hour to see Yosemite, what would you do?” The ranger pointed to a rock and replied bluntly, “Well, I’d go right over there, I’d sit down and I’d cry.” Don’t make this mistake. The only tears shed should be those of joy as you view the granite magnificence of Yosemite. Allow at least three days to explore the main park regions (excluding Hetch Hetchy, approximately a 2-hour drive from Yosemite Valley). All of the guided activities: horseback riding, bus tours, rock climbing, and ranger programs are highly recommended and should be done based on your specific interests as time and budget allow. Plan your accommodations in advance. Camping and lodging are available in the park. Nearby dining, grocery stores, lodging, festivals, and attractions are listed in the What’s Nearby section. The itinerary provided below begins at the South Entrance, but it can easily be adjusted for visitors entering from the east or west. Remember that Tioga Road is only open during summer.
Taft Point © Curt and Kari Marquardt
Day 1: Arrive early at the park’s South Entrance. Begin by driving to Mariposa Grove. At the very least hike the 1.6 mile trail to see Grizzly Giant. Roundtrip from the South Entrance to Mariposa Grove Parking Area and back to Wawona Road is about 10 miles. Allow at least one hour to explore the Giant Sequoia Grove. Return to Wawona Road and head north. Take a right onto Glacier Point Road. Drive to its conclusion at Glacier Point. Allow at least 2.5 hours to reach Glacier Point (from the South Entrance). From here, look across the valley and the Merced River to Half Dome or stare 3,000 feet below you into the bustling and immensely beautiful valley. Hikers should walk to Sentinel Rock or Taft Point (2.2 miles roundtrip each). Both hikes begin at Sentinel Dome/Taft Point Trailhead (6 miles east of Bridalveil Campground turnoff). Heading left takes you to Taft Point and The Fissures. Right leads to Sentinel Dome. Both lead to more extraordinary views of the valley. Each hike takes approximately an hour. Depending on your overnight accommodations you may have to drive into Yosemite Valley, which is another 1.5 hours (driving) from Glacier Point. If the room or campsite where you plan on laying your head is still up in the air, start hunting one down immediately. If not, Glacier Point provides one of the best vantage points to watch the sunset. Sit atop the granite promontory and browse through the park’s newspaper, Yosemite Guide, to see if you can catch an evening program.
Day 2: Wake up early to beat the Yosemite Valley crowds. Begin your day by hiking Mist and Lower Yosemite Falls Trails. These are the two busiest in the park. If you don’t get there early, it will feel more like a weekend at the mall than a day spent in a natural wonderland. Daytime is the right time to join an interpretive program. If none interest you, think about taking an extended hike. You could stretch your trek to Mist Falls all the way to the top of Half Dome (strenuous, permit required). Hiking to Upper Yosemite Falls is another great way to avoid the commotion. Before leaving the valley, be sure to view the orientation video at Valley Visitor Center and browse its modern exhibits.
Day 3: Once again, wake-up early to avoid joining the parade of cars that tend to circle the valley’s floor like a pack of sharks. You can expect the 17-mile drive from the east end of Yosemite Valley to Tioga Road to take about 30 minutes. If you skipped Mariposa Grove in a hurry to reach the valley catch a glimpse of a few Giant Sequoias at Merced Grove. The trailhead is located on Big Oak Flat Road. It’s a 1.5-mile (one-way) moderate hike down to the grove. Tuolumne Grove is another option. Its trailhead is located on Tioga Road, where a steep 1-mile hike leads to it. These forests are smaller, but the sequoias remain impressive, and it’s at least a 1-hour drive from Tuolumne Grove to Tioga Pass Entrance Station on the park’s eastern boundary. Break up the drive by stopping at Olmsted Point for exceptional views. Spend the rest of the day exploring the trails of the High Sierra. Gaylor Lakes Trail, beginning at Tioga Pass Entrance Station, is a perfect choice. If you’d like a longer journey, hike to Mono Pass. Its trailhead is a short distance west of Tioga Pass Entrance Station.