Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park (#2)
Image by Christopher Chan via Flickr

If you are looking for awesome granite cliffs, giant Sequoia trees, radiant waterfalls and natural diversity then you must visit Yosemite National Park, a World Heritage Site located in California. Although the park is visited by a crowd of about 3.8 million yearly, their trips are usually limited to the Yosemite Valley area. For those with time on their hands and a bit of fitness, there are great views and overwhelming experiences up for grabs if exploring further into the wilderness.

Since the area of Yosemite National Park is fairly large (1,200 square miles), it is necessary for the one day trip planners to choose the appropriate kind of trip that would suit them the best. Specializing in just one activity is best to get the most out of a day trip, and you can choose between sightseeing, hiking, bird watching, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, swimming, kayaking, skiing and many more. Secondly they should be well aware about the dramatic weather changes which alter the landscape radically. Still spring is considered to be the most attractive occasion of the year to see the blooming foliage and active wildlife. Those who prefer winter activities will find that there are various obstacles which they’ll have to overcome first, as large sections of the park are closed during this time due to the heavy snowfall.

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of this stunning park is to take a hike. Bridalveil Fall, Cook’s Meadow, and Mirror Lake offer easy yet unforgettable day-hiking experiences. The Valley Floor trail or even the Four Mile trail can be attempted for those wanting to test their hiking ability and there are even more intricate falls like Upper Yosemite Fall, Ribbon Fall or the Wapama Falls to be soaked up.

If you have a heart for rock climbing go straight to the world’s largest granite monolith, ‘El Capitan’. Whether you want to enjoy a one-day speedy ascent or go for a 12-day solo expedition, ‘The Big Stone’ is the place to begin, but choose your route extremely carefully if you are just a beginner.

Yosemite National Park has plenty in store for avid bikers. Approximately 12 miles of paved bike routes and regular roads are available for the taking. Guided horseback riding trips are available all through spring to fall. This park is a perfect place for those who enjoy water sports. Swimming or rafting along the Merced River is a great time for all the family. A little more strenuous is tackling Tenaya Lake in a kayak, but canoeing offers more relaxation and a leisurely pace that allows you to take in the breathtaking scenery. While access is at times a problem, Yosemite’s winter offering are well worth the effort. Badger Pass provides comfortable surroundings for downhill skiing and snowboarding, while Curry Village has ice skating. There is also cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on offer.

To sum up, Yosemite is a paradise no matter what your interests! Permits are required, however, for entering the park as well as to do some activities like set up a tent or RV. If you are looking to stay overnight or longer, you need to sort out your Yosemite accommodation as far in advance as possible. There is a large range of lodging available, but those within and closest to the park tend to get booked out very quickly in the vacation or holiday seasons. Camping reservations and couples cabins are particularly hard to get hold of, although there are a few ‘non-reservation’ places that operate.

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