Yosemite Outdoor Adventures
What’s your passion? Rock climbing? Hiking? Biking? Fishing? No matter your pleasure, Yosemite has something just for you. Below are some of our favorite adventures in and around Yosemite.
There are 840 miles of maintained trails covering the Yosemite Valley, Glacier
Point, Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona, White Wolf,
and Crane Flat. Along the way you will see alpine lakes,
mountain meadows,  towering
aspens and high peaks. And don’t forget the animals! There
are antelopes, migrating and nesting birds, like the blue
heron or bald eagle, mule deer, beavers and bighorn sheep.
Some of the more popular hiking trails are Tioga Tarns Nature
Trail, the Scenic Byway, the June Lake Loop, the hike to
Rainbow Falls, the lakeside trails at Convict Lake and the
trails at Lower Creek and Little Lakes Valley.
For a huge hiking challenge, don’t miss the 211 mile John Muir Trail which traverses from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney. Of course, there are campsites along the way or you can choose portions of the John Muir Trail to suit your hiking adventure.
Fishing Yosemite
If you love the peace and quiet of days spent fishing, Yosemite is an angler’s haven. While trout fishing is the main event, there are other species of fish found in waters throughout the Park. Please note that a California fishing license, available at any local fishing shop, is required for all anglers over 16. While at the shop be sure to talk to the locals for their recommendations. Many of the shops offer classes to improve your cast.
Here is a brief list of area fishing spots
1. Mammoth Lake Basin—Mary, Twin, Mamie, and George
2. Hilton Creek
3. Owens River
4. Hot Creek
5. Crowley Lake
6. Eastman Lake
7. Hensley Lake
8. Manzanita Lake
9. Don Pedro
10. Lake Tullah
11. New melons
12. The San Joaquin River
Other angling adventure can be found at Fish Camp’s Big Creek, being a part of the Bass Lake Fishing Derby in May or the Labor Day weekend Troutstock Eastern Sierra competition, or you can hire an area guide to take you to the best places. Also of interest is the Stanislaus National Forest which has 811 miles of rivers and streams with 18 fish species.
Caving
For underground exploration and adventure, you can’t go wrong when you visit on (or more) of Yosemite’s many caves/caverns. This cool activity can be enjoyed by the whole family. California’s first show cave, the California Cavern State Historic Landmark (866-762-2837) offers a walking tour, a 2 hour cave expedition and a 4 hour Middle Earth Exploration. At Moaning Cavern you will see California’s largest underground room with 100’s spiral stair case.
 There
is also a 45 minute Family Walking Tour, a 3 hour wild cavern
adventure trip, twin zip lines and the Rappel which is a
165 foot rope descent. At Mercer Caverns (209-728-2101)
you can see large Gothic Chambers, the Cathedral Room, impressive
stalagmites and stalactites, and the 9 foot long angle wings
as you enjoy a guided tour on lighted walkways.
Yosemite Climbing
For gravity defying rock climbs Yosemite’s Mammoth Lake area is the place to go. Whether it’s the white-knuckle class five peaks like the Minarets, Mount Ritter or Banner Peak, the rock walls of Tuolumne Meadows or Bishop’s Buttermilk, or the vertical challenge of Owen Gorge, there’s no limit to the steep adventure you can have
Skiing
The Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is an abundance of fun. You can ski 3,500 acres
made accessible by 27 lifts, 3 terrain parks and 3 half
pipes-especially enjoyable for snowboarding. At Kirkwood
Mountain Resort there is a wide variety of topography. There
are 12 lifts, a halfpipe and snowshoe trail system. For
some of the best downhill runs, cross country ski and snowshoeing,
spend some time at Badger Pass. Here you can set out on
your or have a guide to ensure you trip is even better than
you imagined.
There are a plethora of adventures waiting for you in and
around Yosemite. So plan your trip, pack your bags and prepare
for fun. You’ll be so glad you came.
Photo Credits: Climber by J Hull; Merced
River with Yosemite Valley by James Gordon
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