Yosemite’s Best
Every day in Yosemite is like Sunday…All I gotta do to be in church is open my eyes in the morning.
- Gloryland
by Shelton Johnson
With so many acres of wilderness ripe for exploration and
discovery, deciding how to spend your time can be a bit
of a challenge. To help you in your decision making process,
here is a list of some of the top Yosemite attractions:
- The Giant Sequoias - Yosemite has 3 groves of these towering trees. To the south is the Mariposa Grove which can be toured by foot or on trams. The Grove is home to the Grizzly Giant which is approximately 2,700 years old, 209 feet high and 34.7 feet in diameter. In the northwest corner of the Yosemite Valley are the Merced and Tuolumne groves.
- Glacier Point - For an unsurpassed panoramic sight and sensational sunsets be sure to include Glacier Point in your itinerary. You will see the summit of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Grizzly Peak, Liberty Cap and Clark Range. As you look across the Valley, you will see the Yosemite Falls, Royal Arches, North Dome, Basket Dome, Mount Watkins and Washington Column.
- Yosemite Valley - This deep Valley boasts cascading waterfalls, towering domes, and spectacular peaks. In Tunnel View you can gaze upward to the Clouds Rest and see the massive El Capitan to the right and Bridalveil Falls to the left.
- Yosemite Waterfalls - Yosemite’s waterfalls range in height from the 317 foot Vernal Falls to the Yosemite Falls at 2,424 feet. Yosemite Falls is composed of 3 cascades making them the 5th largest in the world. Other waterfalls include 1,612 foot Ribbon Fall, 620 foot Bridalveil Falls, 594 foot Nevada Fall and 370 foot Illilouette Fall.
- High Country - The Tioga Pass travels the park and makes the expansive area open to all the phenomenally picturesque park attractions. From Tioga, you can explore on foot or horseback to Yosemite Valley, the Tuolumne Meadows and numerous mountain lakes and peaks. Along the way, you will find High Sierra Camp facilities should you wish to camp along the trail.
- The Visitor Center - Here you will find a daily slide show on the Park’s history and attractions, as well as walks and evening programs. There is also a reconstructed Indian Village, the Indian Cultural Museum and the Yosemite Museum.
- The John Muir Play - To see Yosemite through the eyes of its most famous explorer, be sure to visit the Yosemite Theatre and see the different performances. The plays may include:
John Muir is Back and Boy is He Ticked Off! In which actor Lee Stetson portrays Muir and how he would feel about the changes in America.
Conversation with a Tramp - This play describes the battles Muir fought to have Yosemite National Park preserved.
The Spirit of John Muir: Stories of Ice and Snow – This play tells of John Muir’s winter adventures.
Check here for Yosemite lodging and here for a list of the best camping in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite has only a few places to stay and favorites are Curry Village for bunk style tent camping and the Wawona Hotel for world class hotel accommodations.
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