National Park Geek Series - Yosemite edition
National Park Geek Series - Yosemite Edition
Of the 15 National Parks that we've visited so far, Yosemite is my favorite. I love how grand it is. Even when you are there, it looks fake, like someone spent hours photo-shopping the most spectacular landscape. When we visited Yosemite, it was only for two days and it was the 7th day of our 17 day tour of the west coast. I labelled this trip itinerary the West Coast Massive Road Trip Adventure. We flew into Portland and explored Portland and the Columbia River Gorge (beautiful hiking here). We then headed south to California while hitting multiple scenic stops along the way. Oregon claims to have 7 of their own natural wonders and we saw six of them: Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, Smith Rock, Painted Hills, Crater Lake, and the Oregon Coast. We then visited Lake Tahoe and Yosemite.
From Yosemite, we drove to Big Sur and then drove the coast from Big Sur to Astoria, Oregon. Driving HWY 1 and 101 on the West coast should be on everyone's bucket list!
When in Yosemite, we hiked the Mist Trail as far as Nevada Falls. We did not have a permit to hike all the way to Half Dome and we were also feeling all of the hiking we had been doing in Oregon. It's a tough trail, but I would absolutely do it again for it’s scenic qualities alone.
You really need to plan ahead if you want to stay in or near the park. Lodging can be booked plenty of time in advance. You also need to plan ahead if you want to apply for a permit to hike Half Dome.
It's tricky to find the best time to visit Yosemite. Though spring has the best water flow for all of the stunning waterfalls, some seasonal roads may not be open until June and closed in September. Some of the waterfalls are completely dried up by late summer. I will be back someday soon. I wish we had had more time there and I'd also like to do the full Half Dome hike. I mean...how can you not with sunsets like these?
Have you ever been to Yosemite or have plans to visit? I can help you book a trip there.
Images by Personal Branding Maven Elise Kutt at Mod Bettie Portraits
My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.
I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things. Though we desire adventure and authentic experiences, naturally our fear holds us back.
My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.
Anna VanAgtmael | Yoga Enthusiast | Trip Planning Wizard