August 2008

A family of two adults and child age 13 coming to Yosemite August 2008... staying in Angels Camp, can you tell me the best way to go in to see the most in two days... also which would be the must sees in two days........as this might be our only trip to Yosemite. We are hitting all the national parks and have a couple more before we could come back. Any help would be appreciated

August 2008

First off, prepare yourself for a couple of days with significant driving times. If you%26#39;ve never been to Yosemite before, and you might not be back...I%26#39;d recommend one day in the Yosemite Valley area/Glacier Point...and a second day in the Tuolumne Meadows area. But again...significant driving to both.

Yosemite Valley is just over 2 hours one way from where you%26#39;re staying. Once you hit the park entrance, take your time driving in though...there will be pullouts along the way where you%26#39;ll have tremendous views of Half Dome and other granite cliffs. Take advantage of these pullouts...they%26#39;re great photo options. A bit after the road becomes one way, you%26#39;ll see signs for Bridalveil Fall.I would stop there on your way in...not a lot of water but a bit. Also take that opportunity to wander the trails in that area out to the El Capitan viewing area.

In Yosemite Valley, expect to park in the Day Use Parking area, and utilize the free shuttles. The Valley is not set up to drive, with extremely limited parking (if any) near the sights. Also, expect the temps to be in the 90%26#39;s...probably hot...not humid just dry heat.

Once you%26#39;re in Yosemite Valley, consider at least one meadow walk. These are easy flat walks, but afford spectacular views of the surrounding cliffs. The walk on the bike trail behind Yosemite Lodge (shuttle top 8) across the meadow to Swinging Bridge affords lovely views of the Cathedral Rocks among other things. Also Cook%26#39;s Meadow (across the street from shuttle top 6 or across the parking lot from shuttle top 11) also gives great views of Half Dome. You can be in an out of each of those in 30 to 45 minutes at the most. Also consider the meadow across from Curry Village (shuttle top 14 or 20)...another great view of Half Dome/North Dome/Royal Arches/Glacier Point.

Keep in mind that Yosemite Falls is probably going to be dry or dribbling when you get here.

The same day you do Yosemite Valley, I%26#39;d drive south on hwy 41 to the Glacier Point Road cutoff and then up to Glacier Point. 1 hour from the Valley. This is where you can look straight down on Yosemite Valley, and see a lot of the higher peaks in the park...plus about eye level with Half Dome. No need to hike to see Glacier Point, but if you were going to do one hike that day...I%26#39;d recommend either Taft Point or Sentinel Dome which are off the Glacier Point road...each is 2 miles roundtrip...so 2 hours ish at most...take you to spectacular views from the Valley rim. Second set of hikes listed here:

nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/glacierhikes.htm

On your second day, I%26#39;d do the drive to Tuolumne Meadows. You%26#39;re looking at a little over 2 1/2 hours one way from where you%26#39;re staying. You%26#39;ll follow 120 east. Again, take your time as you do this drive...there will be pullouts along the way for photo. In particular, stop at Olmsted Point (large parking area that will come up on your right side) for a view of the back of Half Dome, and looking down Tenaya Canyon into the Valley. 5 or 10 minutes past that top at Tenaya Lake...maybe eat lunch there. At least stretch legs, stick your toes in the water, and enjoy the beach for a bit. Continue on to Tuolumne Meadows where you%26#39;ll be surrounded by high granite peaks.

For a mellow scenic hike, I%26#39;d do the first 1.5 miles of the Lyell Canyon hike listed here:

www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmhikes.htm

You%26#39;ll reach two bridges over the river...at which point you just turn around and come back. It%26#39;s a mellow mostly flat walk through the forest, and you end up over a branch of the river, meadowy area, big peaks in the background.

There are of course a zillion other things to try and do, but this is what I%26#39;d recommend for your brief time, if you are willing to do the driving. It will give you a quick overview of the Valley and the high country.

Good luck planning! Be flexible. You%26#39;ll have a great time.