"But no temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite. Every rock in its wall seems to glow with life.”

-John Muir

The Yosemite (1912)

When I first started traveling and visiting national parks, Yosemite was always on the top of my bucket list. There is nothing that can compare to the beauty of Yosemite. It truly is such a diverse landmark and it captures the beauty of Northern California perfectly. From the towering waterfalls, lush valleys, giant sequoias, and sheer granite cliffsides, there is nothing quite like it. 

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This article highlights my personal favorite parts of the park and gives an idea of what to expect while visiting the park during the start of its summer season!

Must-See Sights

Yosemite Falls

With it being the tallest waterfall in the United States,  Yosemite Falls is a must! The falls is 2,425 feet from the upper to lower sections. It can be seen from just about anywhere in the park, including the Yosemite Valley and the lodging located nearby. It is one of the major attraction in the park and you can see it at its peak in the spring when all of the snow melts of the mountain. I traveled to Yosemite in early June and the waterfall looked amazing! In August, the fall can become just a little trickle, so it was pretty spectacular to see it in all of its glory. 

In addition to viewing the falls, there are numerous hikes surrounding it, including Yosemite Falls Trail (2.0 mi.) and Snow Creek Trail (9.4 mi.). Both of these hikes are labeled as moderate to strenuous, but are worth checking out!

Mist Trail

This hike was probably my favorite hike ever.  This trail will take you past views of Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. We hiked roughly 6 miles of it, but it does connect to the Half Dome trail when it is open.  To get to the top of Vernal Falls, you must climb roughly 600 steps, so this hike is a little more strenuous than others. You will most likely get soaked by the falls, but it is worth the amazing views and experience. 

There are many steep and slippery parts to this hike. There are handrails to hold onto for portions of the uphill section of Vernal Falls, but it can be quite dangerous. Be sure to check weather conditions before going on this hike!

Tunnel View

Tunnel View is the absolute best route to enter the park. It is a perfect way to see Bridal Veil Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome off in the distance. It gives you the perfect view of the valley and is great to catch during sunrise! The parking lot is very small, so be sure to get here early or be prepared for a wait later in the day. This is a top attraction for the park and a view you can't miss!

Yosemite Valley

If you're looking for beautiful views that surround you at every angle, Yosemite Valley is the place for you. This valley shows you views of just about every major attraction located in Yosemite National Park. It can be accessed by car or bus. There is also a boardwalk through Cook's Meadow that gives you stunning views.  The Valley provides gorgeous views of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome. It is a great way to access the park and walk around, without any strenuous paths or steep inclines. It is also fun to rent bikes at the market and ride through the valley on the paved trails.

El Capitan

If you're an active rock climber or have every watched any documentaries, you are most likely very familiar with El Capitan.  El Capitan is an iconic rock formation that towers over 7,000 feet above the Yosemite Valley. Back in the late 50s, rock climbers traveled miles to climb the sheer cliff side. To this day, it is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the U.S. The cliffside can take days to climb, but if you're not into that, it is also just a beautiful sight to see! You are able to hike to the top if you start at Yosemite's Upper Falls trail, but it is around 19.4 miles to reach the top. Even from the ground, however, it is still a must-see in the park! It's an amazing formation and a huge historic destination!

Half Dome

Seeing Half Dome in person was phenomenal! During early June, the cables were not on the trail so we could not make it all the way up. However, you can still see it in all its glory by taking the John Muir trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls. The hike to the summit of Half Dome is around 16 miles roundtrip. It can be extremely difficult, but many have said it is so rewarding. It is one of the most dangerous hikes in the U.S., so use caution while on the trail. Half Dome is also visible throughout the park, including in the valley and at Tunnel View!

☻ THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE! ☻

If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to reach out!