A Day in Yosemite National Park

The chief rock or the captain of Yosemite Valley

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After driving through sparsely forested areas under a 40-degree sun, when you are greeted by a sun dappled forest, cool breeze, a lot of rocks and waterfalls, and some dazed deer, you know that the place is special. Some millions of years ago, ice sheets of North America created a lot of wonders with their gradual disappearance and this place was one of them. Just stare at the glacial-granite monoliths and the deep valley and you will know the might of ice that carved out Ahwahne, or as it is popularly known today Yosemite National Park.

The merciless Merced River

Established in 1890 and made famous by written accounts of John Muir and Lafayette Bunnell (both played a key role in establishing the park as well), Yosemite National Park is the third oldest park of United States and probably the third most popular park too (after Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park). But what really makes Yosemite special is its array of granite monoliths, overlooking flowering meadows and Giant Sequoia groves. Also, did you know it is the home to North America’s tallest waterfall? And given its proximity to Bay Area and Los Angeles, no wonder this park is so famous!

One of the many constants of the valley - Merced River

Yosemite is a paradise for hikers and rock climbers, with its variety of landscape, but given its size, it is impossible to cover the park in a day, or even a weekend. Unfortunately, I only had a little more than half day at the park during my first ever visit to the valley this year. But even with the time constraint, there are plenty of things to do at Yosemite!

What Yosemite shows you when you enter...

At the entrance of the park (Big Oak Entrance) itself, you hear the loud burble of the Merced River that flows with small rapids till it is hidden by a range of boulders. The boulders slowly turn into barren hills and the meadow that had been accompanying the river, gradually turns into a forest.

Can you see the veil?

And the out of nowhere, you will see tall narrow sheet of water feebly turning into mist before it reaches the ground. This is Bridalveil Falls of Yosemite Valley, the most accessible waterfall of the valley. By walking for just five minutes off the main road, you reach the base of the falls and will be able to feel the cool mist refreshing you.

El Capitan

Next, you will find yourself facing the mighty El Capitan. This famed 3000 ft tall granite monolith is believed to have been formed almost 100 million years ago and is considered as one of the hardest rock climbing challenges in the world. But even if you aren’t a climber, the sheer size of the monolith will leave you dumbfounded. And if you visit the valley in February and early March, this is where you would see the fabled Horsetail falls, the falls that looks live flowing lava falls during sunset.

Cathedral Rocks

If El Capitan did not impress you much, don’t be disappointed because the best is still to come. Look bang opposite El Capitan to spot the Cathedral Rocks. These rocky surface show you the barren magnetic beauty of Sierra Nevada Hills and act as a Segway to the Sentinel Meadow. Sentinel Meadow is a 2.5 mile loop meadow trail, where you end up marveling Merced River in the shadows of Sentinel Rock and its neighbours, while enjoying the lush green and the splash of colours of seasonal wild flowers. Also, the meadow trail is paved and well-marked making it an easy trail for all ages.

Half Dome

Whether you hike the Sentinel Meadow or just drive past the point, you will definitely come face to face with Half Dome. Half Dome, as its name suggests is a dome shaped granite rock hill with a totally flat face, that appears to be cut with a knife or something similar. Frankly the Half Dome impressed me more than El Capitan and the view was my totally favourite. Can you imagine this was formed by molten lava freezing up fast? Not sure if the cliff was formed due to eventual erosion or not, but this 5000 ft tall structure is sure a natural marvel.

The whole of Yosemite Falls in its full glory

But what about the famous Yosemite Falls, you ask, or have you forgotten about it already? Well, once you get to Yosemite Village, be ready to follow that faint sound of trickling water you hear. About a mile in the direction of the sound, you see the majestic three-tiered waterfall of the valley. Keep walking in the direction of the falls and you would see a path of land covered with cairns (stacked stones), pointing you towards a small bridge. 

Cairns making your way till the falls

The sound gets thunderous and suddenly all you see is a lot of people clicking pictures in light mist. Say hello to Lower Yosemite Falls! Yes, this is just the last part of the tallest waterfall of North America! But it is still so beautiful. Unfortunately, from so close you can only see one third of the falls, but don’t worry on you way out you would see its true size.

This is just the lower falls of the three tiered Yosemite Falls

Enjoy some time relaxing in the oldest hotel of the National Park, and head to the Glacier Point Loop road. This place is known for its view during sunsets when the half dome shines with a pinkish hue to match the setting suns shade. Unfortunately, since I was there during summers (June) when sunset happens at around 8 pm, I ended up enjoying the view of Half Dome with cool breeze at the top (big respite from the heat that day and the view was totally worth it!)

Picture Perfect Postcard

Before you leave the park to head back home like I did, drive all the way back towards to get to tunnel view. Don’t let the traffic deter you, after suddenly exiting the long tunnel, because once you reach this place all the noise, all the people around you, everything just fades away and you are lost in the view in front of you. El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil, Yosemite Falls and the actual valley – you see it all at once here. This is where you realized the actual height of Yosemite Falls and also realized how little of the park you have covered. But whether you are a first timer or not, this view is like a postcard that the park gifts you to remember it by and coaxes you to pay it another visit soon.

Pause whenever you want in the park, and the valley will have a view for you.

Some extra stuff that might be helpful –

1.   Leave early for the National park on any given day during summer and fall. Given its proximity to Bay Area, the park is busy almost all the time during these seasons.

2.  During summers, it is almost impossible to find parking anywhere in the park. Your best bet would be Yosemite Village. If you do find parking there, do Glacier Point, Sentinel Meadow and Tunnel View by using the park shuttle. It is completely free and very frequent during summers.

3.  You do not need to layer in the Park up during summers. But do carry a lot of water. The area around the park is very dry and the place gets really hot.

4.  Entry to the park currently is 30 dollars for a private vehicle and the entry ticket is valid for an entire week in the park, so keep your ticket safe and handy if you are planning to stay in the park or visit again in the week.

5.  We had lunch in Yosemite Village Café, and it is slightly overpriced. You can also carry lunch and picnic in Sentinel Meadow area.

6.  One section that everyone recommended but I couldn’t go due to time constraints was Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake. It takes more than an hour from Yosemite Village to get there and given it was a summer Friday, we had lost a lot of time doing just what I have mentioned above. So, I could not fit it in my schedule, but if you have time – these should also be included in your must visit list.

7.  During winters, it is mandatory to have chained/traction tires and a lot of the park closes during heavy snowfall, so you might want to check the NPS site for latest updates before planning your trip.

8.  If you are planning to stay overnightin the region, campers – you need to think and plan your trip month ahead. Others, you have plenty of motels and hotels in Mariposa, June Lake and Groveland but remember you will need to drive and tackle the traffic every time you enter and exit the park. 

There is more to the valley than the tallest falls of the North America

As mentioned earlier, I got to spend less than a day in Yosemite since I was travelling from San Mateo and planned on getting back the same day. In retrospect, I know that plan was flawed because you need more than a weekend to slowly take in the beauty of Yosemite. But with a promise to revist, I think my first visit was quite fruitful and is totally a tried, tested and perfect plan to spend a day in Yosemite Valley!

Meadows of the Valley are equally beautiful.

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