When the name Yosemite National Park comes up in any conversation, one can't help but to include the name John Muir in the conversation. He was the most influential mountain man at that time who convinced the 26th President of the United States to conserve and to protect the vast region of Yosemite from being exploited. That was in 1903.
Today, Yosemite National Park, is the 5th most visited national park in all of America; with an annual visitor count of 4.5 million (2019). In 2016, the year Barack Obama and family visited Yosemite National Park, was also the year the park had the most recorded number of visitors; over 5 million in total. Most visitors frequent the valley and it's concessionaires, which make up less than 1% of the entire park. With that figure in mind, it is a fact that 99% of the visitors only visited the valley floor itself; which means that 99% of the park is never really experienced by the casual visitor. You can't blame them as the journey to the park takes at least 4.5 hours from the city of San Francisco and time is of the essence if one has to return on the same day.
The valley itself is more than captivating enough, with it's imposing sheer cliffs made of glacially sculpted granite. It will quench the curious soul with breathtaking views from any vantage point over the valley. Be it in winter or on a bright and sunny summer day, the inspiring beauty from the valley floor are both just as impressive with an equal amount of "wow" factor. However, if one prefers solitude over the crowds then winter is of course a better choice.
The 200-mile drive from San Francisco to the valley floor is nothing short of spectacular. As one approaches the vicinity of the national park, one will get a sense of that which is to come as the road cuts through the mountainous region flanked by thick woods and water features on both sides as far as the eyes can see. The drive from Mariposa on Highway 140 passes many historic places associated with the gold rush. Some of these structures are still standing till today.
Yosemite in the winter months allows one to explore the park in a quieter fashion away from the hustle and bustle of the tour buses and the flocks of tourists fighting over the best photographic spots. But with that in mind, some of the roads to a certain lookout points, like Glacier Point, may be closed due to excessive snowfall. A good place to visit during the winter months is Badger Pass where the ski area is located. To get the best experience from the visit, one can rent ski equipment, take skiing lessons or even do some snowshoeing around Summit Meadows. If you planned it right and have an early head start, one can also snowshoe to Dewey Point overlooking the valley. This long hike traverses across Yosemite's wilderness area and it is considered a back-country hike; so take precaution and notify others of your planned intentions for the day. Yosemite in the winter months is a winter wonderland.
If you plan to visit during the warmer months, it's best to visit right after spring, like in late April to May as the snow and ice melts from the intense California sun. You will be guaranteed and rewarded with many spectacular jaw-dropping waterfalls plunging from high above Yosemite's granite walls. One such fall is the majestic Upper Yosemite Falls which plunges down over a cliff at a height of 1430 feet; making it one of the top twenty highest waterfalls in the world. As I captured this photo from the park, I could feel the force of the falls as it hurls itself over the edge down into the hanging valley. The roaring sound and spray of mist it made can't be felt from looking at this photo. It is best experienced by being there personally.
Due to the number of people visiting the park leading to the summer months, we opted to drive to Hetch Hetchy valley, an alternate valley, which is just as beautiful but much quieter and less commercialized. In 1870, John Muir while visiting Hetch Hetchy called it "a wonderfully exact counterpart of the great Yosemite". The drive to Hetch Hetchy valley is an experience not to be missed. You will be driving on a mountainous road with postcard perfect views whichever side you look. Unfortunately, we also came across vast track of land scorched by forest fire not too long ago. Many trees were burnt to the ground. Nevertheless, it is a journey everyone should undertake at least once in their lifetime.
By early 1882, Hetch Hetchy had been selected as the site for a new reservoir for the people of San Francisco. John Muir and a group of preservationist launched a campaign to stop the development. It was a time when priority was placed in the people in the name of prosperity, and therefore, the valley was flooded and the reservoir built. Nevertheless, one can still see the beauty of this place, with its sheer walls of pure granite rising from the valley floor, punctuated with thunderous waterfalls cascading from above. There is a short 5-mile hike along the perimeter of O'Shaughnessy Dam to Wapama Falls, one of the two waterfalls with a drop of 1,000 feet that can be seen in the photo below. They are best viewed in the spring when snow and ice are melting.
At the start of the hike, we stopped to take in the broad views across the reservoir. Imagine what this would be like without the reservoir - an identical twin to Yosemite Valley!
Wapama Falls is the tallest of the 3 falls in the area, and it is known to inundate the bridge that crosses it's base when the weather warms up. This three tiered fall has the longest drop of over 300 feet, with a total height of 1080 feet. The two other falls are called Tueeulala Falls at 840 feet, and the Rancheria Falls at 30 feet (more of a cascading fall). The ranger at the entrance will warn you not to proceed further if the waterfalls are raging. The hike itself is easy, as we made our way around the perimeter of the reservoir.
The nice thing about coming here in the early summer month is the lack of people on the trail. Soak in the views and breathe in the refreshing air while making your way to the falls.
Don't be afraid of getting your feet wet as one is required to traverse over the base of the falls. We stopped short at Wapama, as the ranger had forewarned us about the gushing water over the bridge. We felt the intense spray of the falls as we neared the bridge and we were soaked from head to toe. It was just a few months back in January that Yosemite had a major flooding as the Merced river swelled over.
One of the most sought after views of Yosemite Valley is from the newly renovated Wawona Tunnel Overlook. Standing at the overlook, you look squarely into the valley with sweeping views of El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridal Veil Falls. During the winter months, snow and ice drapes over the top of these majestic mountains.
Perhaps a time well spent in Yosemite entails visiting it at various times through-out the year in order to get the best experience out of it.
Below is a short video from our trip to Yosemite valley to view the elusive Firefall at Horsetail Fall on February 22, 2022.