Yosemite Valley, California, United States

5TheExplorerFamily 5:00 PM Jul 17, 2022

Spectacular and Stunning Vistas
This gorgeous area, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, was the third to get its status as a National Park on October 1, 1890, and is still wowing every visitor today, even after 250 years. The Park’s diverse landscape supports more than 400 species of wildlife. It is known around the world for its towering granite cliffs, its deep Valleys, the ancient giant Sequoias (that can grow up to 300 feet in height with trunks 27 feet across), Ponderosa Pines, massive Oaks, and its Waterfalls. It also helps that photographer Ansel Adams made it even more famous by his amazing, fiery sunset photos of two of its formations – El Capitan and Half Dome. It was one of the most incredible Parks that we have ever visited. Our jaws dropped as soon as we exited the Tunnel from Route 41, and got our first glimpse of the classic panorama of the Yosemite Valley, and the iconic sites of the Half Dome and the Bridal Veil Falls. We parked at the Village, and took the Shuttle to all the most-visited fabulously scenic spots, and were fortunate to capture some fantastic photos. The breathtaking views must be experience firsthand, because no photos or words do it any justice. At the end, we hiked up to Mirror Lake to take a mini-break before heading back home. It is no wonder that John Muir described this Park as “the brightest and the best of all the Lord has built”. We felt fortunate to have stepped foot in this National Park, and were also happy to add a Sticker and a Stamp to our Parks Passport. Absolutely, a “Must Visit” destination in everyone’s lifetime. It is like visiting Heaven on our Earth.

5Brendan S 5:00 PM Nov 5, 2022

Time your visit carefully
Yosemite Valley is the famous part of Yosemite National Park and the area with the most tourist infrastructure. This is where you can see the valley view, the major rock formations and the waterfalls...when there is water. And it's the seasonality of Yosemite that's the challenge. It's tough to visit in the winter - November through April - because of heavy snow. In the summer months, it gets so crowded that they limit visitor access and there are traffic jams. I visited in late October and there were mostly sparse crowds and no traffic. But Yosemite Falls was a trickle down the cliff, Vernal and Nevada Falls were reduced in intensity and Mirror Lake did not have a drop of water in it. I'd probably aim for spring before peak tourist season or fall right after the tourist season. And make sure to stay late at least one night for the terrific stargazing - I could see the Milky Way with a naked eye.