A crowd favorite, and for a good reason, Yosemite National Park offers something for all age groups and types of people. I remember making the trip with my dad when I was ten, and it still stands out as my best childhood memory. Yosemite is home to one of the utmost stimulating day hikes (Half Dome) and yet still offers wheelchair convenience to the base of Yosemite Falls. So whether you are a quiet nature observer or extreme outdoor enthusiast, the park has something to share with all of us. For hikers, the park doubles as a playground to raise our standards, given that it has trails of all levels of difficulty. Famed for its granite walls and waterfalls, Yosemite has sky-rocketed to one of the top destinations not just in the United States but the world.
Yosemite is situated in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, five-hour drive north of Los Angeles or four hours if you drive east from San Francisco. The national park covers 3,027km² and has one of the highest waterfalls in the world at 2,425ft. There are over 400 species of animals in the national park, including 90 species of mammals and over 260 bird types. The park has an abundance of grizzly bears, California red-legged frogs, cougars, deer, foxes, and big-horned sheep.
Over the years, Yosemite has become a tad overcrowded, which may sometimes make it undesirable, especially to those looking for a quiet time or seclusion from crowds. The park is an all-year open ground, with the shortest trails being the most pursued. Although it offers bus service in the valley, visitors are encouraged to park at Half Dome Village or Yosemite Village before accessing the shuttle to the trailheads. The time spent between parking your car and finally getting to your trailhead is where you are likely to feel the scope of the crowds, but after getting to the Trail, all smooth sailing. Our top five trails are guaranteed to give you the best views in the park.
The Half Dome is on every hiker’s bucket list. It has grown in popularity with increasing numbers of those trying out for a climbing permit (Yes, you need a permit). If your ideal experience involves a 15-mile round trip hike in 12-14 hours with an elevation gain of 4,800ft, then this is your ultimate choice. However, the Half Dome can be challenging and requires prior planning and training to pull off.
The Trail crosses with two great trails, such as the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls as you start and the Muir Trail on your way back down. The final hike up the backside of the Half Dome is steep and exposed, prompting the authorities to install cables to aid the climb. The general route is steep and exposed, requiring exertion to make it to the cables; perhaps that is why the park thought it wise to prep a video for visitors to have some insight on what to expect on this track.
To crowds visiting the park, the falls are the showpiece of Yosemite. Yosemite Falls Trail is the oldest in Yosemite, dating back to 1873 when the park’s construction began. Yosemite Falls are the highest on the continent and, as a visual magnet, often attract hikers to make this hike. Hikers get a close-up look at the majestic falls as well as views over the Yosemite Valley.
You can take the 7.2 miles roundtrip to the top of the falls or opt for a 2-mile roundtrip via Columbia Rock. If you choose the roundtrip to the top of the falls, prepare for 2,700ft elevation over a series of switchbacks before reaching the top for spectacular views. The less dogged route to Columbia Rock only takes you up a height of 1,000ft, with moderate switchbacks, and can be done in 2-3 hours. From Columbia, it is only half a mile before you get to Upper Yosemite Falls.
The Snow Creek Trail is a big climb from the valley floor of Yosemite up to the mountain’s view, and the six or seven-hour roundtrip will require exertion from you to pull off. However, hikers love this Trail because, whereas it is a challenging climb, you reap the rewards the more you continue on the Trail. And after the viewpoint from switchbacks, you get to climb higher even for better perspectives. However, the best view lies in the challenge of a path to the footbridge, where you are bound to make 2,700ft elevation in quite a short time.
The Trail starts on the Mirror Lake Trail, heads out to a junction of the Snow Creek Trail, where you will climb out of Tenaya Canyon. Here, you will switch back after another before arriving at the park’s landmarks such as Half Dome, Quarter Dome, and Clouds Rest.
Hikers (especially first-timers) flaunt this route as their favorite, citing reasons of incredible scenery and a great place to unwind in the heat of summer. The hike is an easy one but offers some great views like an up-close with the face of Half Dome.
Depending on your level of expertise, the route has two options. You could make a complete loop over Tenaya Canyon, following the river up to one side and down the other, or you can make the lake your destination. The entire loop path is 4 miles, while the return trip to Mirror Lake is 2.4 miles.
The views on this Trail are simply underrated. If you want to get great pictures with very little climbing, then this track is your only option in Yosemite. The complete round trip is 2.2 miles. It can’t get any easier, right? The short and accessible hike to Sentinel Dome rewards you with picturesque views of the Yosemite Valley without any strain on your legs like most hikes in the park.
At the summit of Sentinel Dome, you will come across a unique shape of fallen Jeffrey Pine; a tree made famous by a photo in 1940 by Ansel Adams. The tree fell in 2003 but still lies on the summit despite being dead for decades.
