Summer has started, and of course, the fact that I have absolutely zero plans to go anywhere is…driving me crazy (and so is quarantine). So, I’m going to live vicariously through my past self by looking back at my trip to Yosemite last summer!
Hopefully these Yosemite tips and my itinerary will be of use to travelers sooner rather than later. Maybe COVID will magically disappear and we’ll be able to visit national parks by the fall (I’m trying to ~type it into existence~).
3-Day Yosemite Itinerary
There’s a lot to see in Yosemite, and this definitely isn’t an all-inclusive list. Most of our time was spent in Yosemite Valley, but I think we were able to get a lot in during the 5 days (3 full days) we were there. Here is a look at our Yosemite itinerary, as well as a few tips to make the most out of your (Fall 2020, right?) trip.
Arrival Day
Since this was a travel day, we decided to take it easy. We stopped in Merced to get groceries on our way in, got the keys for our house in El Portal (which is about a 25 minute drive to Yosemite Valley), and settled in. The house was right on the river, so we laid low and took in the view.
Do you have additional time on your travel day and want to go into the park? I recommend enjoying the sunset at Tunnel View. You could also bring your dinner into the valley and find a picnic spot along the river to enjoy dinner with a view. Sentinel Beach Picnic Area and Cathedral Beach Picnic Area are both great spots.
Day 1
Up bright and early for a hike on the Mist Trail, where you can see the iconic Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. The full loop is 7.2 miles, but we decided to hike to the base of Nevada Falls and then turn back. For an even shorter hike, you can also hike to the top of Vernal Falls to check out Emerald Pool, and then turn back (this option is 4 miles).
Once back down in the valley, we found a spot along the Merced River (right around Berg Bridge) to eat and swim in the river. This is super refreshing during the hot summer weather, but keep in mind that the water stays pretty cold!
After eating, we walked along Cook’s Meadow Loop to enjoy the view of the valley (and make our way to the next destination). The full loop is 1-mile long, and has no elevation gain.
We followed this path and made our way towards the Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead. This easy 1-mile paved path takes you to the base of the falls for a gorgeous view. Keep in mind that this spot can get incredibly crowded, since it’s so easy to access (and so iconic!).
Base of Nevada Falls / Vernal Falls / Mist Trail Hike
Day 2
Another early day to drive up to Glacier Point, which was a bit over an hour drive from our house in El Portal. I highly recommend getting up there, as you get incredible views of Half Dome and the valley.
As an alternative to driving, you can also hike up to this point via the Four Mile Trail (the name is misleading…it’s a 9.2-mile out-and-back trail). This trail offers stunning views of the valley as you work your way up to Glacier Point.
Since we wanted to do another trail near Glacier Point, we decided driving was the better option for us. Once we were done taking in the views at this point, we drove about 10 minutes down the road to hike Sentinel Dome. This out-and-back trail is 2.1-miles long, and fairly easy (minus a pretty steep but short incline to get to the peak).
This was easily one of my favorite spots, and since it is out of the valley, it wasn’t crowded at all. You feel like you’re on top of the world, and can see Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Clouds Rest, and more.
On the way back to the valley, we stopped by Tunnel View – and were yet again met by all the crowds. It’s still worth a stop, since it’s such an iconic viewpoint.
If you’re looking for more to do on this day, this is also a good time to stop by Bridalveil Fall. The trailhead is about 1.5 miles down the road from Tunnel View, and the entire walk to and back from the fall is only 0.5 miles.
Glacier Point / Sentinel Dome Hike / Tunnel View
Day 3
On our final full day in Yosemite, the group drove out to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (about an hour and a half drive from El Portal) to hike the Rancheria Falls Trail. This is an out-and-back trail that is just under 12 miles. Since it’s out of the valley, the trails in this area are typically less crowded (but still incredible!).
If you aren’t up for that long of a hike, you can easily turn back before the falls. Wapama Falls Trail (4.6 mile out-and-back) is a great option that follows the same trail.
Departure Day
Our final day, we packed up, and then stopped by Mariposa Grove (southern part of the park, just south of Wawona) to see the giant sequoias on our way back to southern California. I definitely recommend stopping by if you’re going through the area or have more time in Yosemite. There are a variety of trails of varying lengths, depending on how much time you have. Since we had a long drive ahead of us, we did the easy Big Trees Loop (0.3 miles). Short, but plenty to see!
Yosemite Tips
Now that we got the itinerary out of the way, here are a few Yosemite tips to keep in mind:
Check the Conditions Before Your Trip
As is the case with any national park, it’s always a good idea to head to the NPS website to see the current conditions of the park. There may be road closures, weather alerts, or other information you should be aware of before you visit!
Get Out Early (Especially During the Summer)
We went in July, which is a…brave thing to do. If you’re also going during the summer, you need to be ready for the insane amount of people.
Since we got a house in Incline, which is about 15 minutes from the Yosemite Valley entrance, it was important that we left early in the morning to A. Avoid traffic getting into the park, B. Actually get a parking spot in the valley, and C. Have some semblance of peace and quiet while on the trails (even if only for a little while).
What did this mean? Heading out around 6:00 to 6:30am every morning! This was especially worth it for Mist Trail. It wasn’t crazy crowded going up, so we got to enjoy everything without feeling claustrophobic. It’s an out and back trail, so coming back down was a different story, but still 100% worth the early morning.
Be Ready for No Cell Service
Don’t be sassy with me. I know that when you’re out in nature you should be in the present moment, enjoy what’s around you, and stay off of your phone. But it’s worth noting that cell service is VERY limited both in and a bit outside of the park – especially if you’re coordinating with a larger group in multiple cars like we were.
Assess Your Transportation Options
For us, it made the most sense to drive into the park. It was $30 per car for 7 days, so it’s not too expensive. There are also free shuttles within the park, so you can park for the day and just take the shuttles around if necessary.
If you don’t want to drive in, Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) is an option. Of course, this depends on where you’re staying, so look at the routes and schedule to see if it makes sense for you.
Get Groceries Ahead of Time
There are some markets within and just outside of the park, but of course, these tend to be more expensive. We were driving in from San Francisco, so we stopped by a grocery store in Modesto on our way in. There is also a good grocery store in Mariposa.
Glacier Point / Sentinel Dome / Half Dome from the Valley / Mist Trail Hike / Sentinel Dome / Vernal Falls