Yosemite

Where to even BEGIN?

Yosemite National Park is in the Sierra Mountains of California taking up most of the eastern state. It's known for the beautiful scenic views from above the valley to the enormous views within the valley of Sequoia trees, Mountains, waterfalls, meadows, creeks, and the infamous rock formations- El Capitan and Half Dome.

What's there to do here?

EVERYTHING.

When you enter, either from the east or west, you will find yourself immersed in fresh air, beautiful scenery, and loads to do.

Here's what we ended up doing:

Glacier Point view of Half Dome

Trip 1 with friends:

Drove through the night from Las Vegas to Yosemite east entrance to get there by morning to find first come first serve camp spot. Ended up parking and camping in White Wolf (which is about a 45 min drive north of the heart of Yosemite Valley)

Took in the ground views of the beautiful El Capitan and Half Dome.

Strolled along the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Took the bus/tram to Happy Isles stop # 16 for the Mist Trail in which we hiked up and got to see the majestic Vernal Falls.

Afterwards, we were lucky enough to drive up to Glacier Point (only open during summer months due to high elevation and freezing temperatures) to take in the breathtaking view of the entire valley! (Imagine viewing the tallest rock formations from above!)

Dinner by the campfire, sleep. :) The following day we decided to take a short hike at Tuolumne Meadows to see a couple of Sequoia trees! (Sequioa national park was, unfortunately, closed to repaid and maintain).

White Wolf Campground

Yosemite Valley view of El Capitan

Along Mist Trail

Mist Trail: Vernal Falls

Tuolumne Meadows

Sequoia Tree

Trip 2 with my boyfriend:

If you're planning on camping in November, it seemed much easier to get a campsite than summer months, however, this park is just as crowded because the colder fall scenery is just as beautiful with changing leaves, snow capped mountains, and trails much more exciting to hike with cooler temperatures

During the fall/winter months, the East entrance (Tioga pass) is closed due to cold, icy roads. This time around while camping in November, we entered from the south/west entrance.On our way there, we got lost, and unfortunately did not make it to Sequoia National Park and got to our campsite in Yosemite Valley around sundown.

TIP: Setting up camp is MUCH harder in the dark. Get there early, especially in the fall months when days are shorter.

Our first morning was spent roaming around the Yosemite Valley General Store with hot coffee from the store to warm up our hands and wake up our spirits! While waiting for the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center (9035 Village Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389) to open up. We easily walked through the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail to take in some views, observe the majestic deer families, and snap a couple photos. Very easy loop about 1 mile in length in which you do get ground views of the falls.

After the Visitor Center opened, we planned our day after talking to one of the rangers at the front. After paying for our campsite at 10am (when the person in charge of campstire payments was back) we opted for the Upper Yosemite Fall trail (7.2 mile roundtrip, normally a 6-8 hour hike).

This trail starts right at the historic Camp 4- the site for rock climbers and boulderers! Of course, we took photos because my boyfriend is a climber. ANYWAYS-Highly suggest! Although there are many switchbacks in the beginning the views towards the top are amazing! Right after the switchbacks you are rewarded with a view overlooking the valley (don't worry, although the incline looks steep at the overlook, there are guardrails to prevent you from falling). Past this point as you keep climbing, you get closer and higher up you see breathtaking side views of the falls! Although we did not make it all the way to the top (shorter fall days mean not as much sunlight) and turned back to get back down and to our campsite before dark, I highly recommend this hike and hope to come back and finish it.

As always...finished the day with a campfire, making dinner (steak, potatoes, and corn to show off my camping food skills), stories and popcorn, fun flashlight wars with other campers, and a good night's rest. :)

Pictures below, scroll to the right for more! :)