Day Trip To Yosemite | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Day Trip To Yosemite

Is is possible to make a quick day trip to Yosemite?

7
Day Trip To Yosemite
Andy Farra

After a few days in Yosemite Valley and exploring the main sites, I was asked if it was possible to experience all of Yosemite in just one day. I immediately thought to myself there is no way, and as I reflected it dawned on me that our group had just accomplished almost all there is to see in the grand scheme of things. Below is a list of all that was done in a day’s trip.

Sunrise over Tunnel View: I have yet to see the fog rise over the valley, after three trips from Southern California to Yosemite I am still waiting for the weather to cooperate. However, this is the perfect start to the day.

Bridalveil Falls: Make your way from the top as you wind down the valley road. Park your car at the lot and make your way to the trail leading to the base of the 620-foot falls. Climb the rocks while being sprayed with the remains of this past season's snow melt and stand in awe under a giant rainbow as the water reflects off the sun.

Hit the John Muir Trail: While still early in the morning you can get an early start as moss covered trees and rocks guide you along the rushing river. About a mile and a half in you will hit Reflection Lake. Still one of the most epic sights I have seen today with not a soul around, this is a very moderate hike and able to be done by children and elderly.

Vernal/Nevada Falls: Turn back around, remaining on the Muir trail steering left as you head for Vernal falls. A solid three-four hour hike this will consist of most of your afternoon as you can rock scramble and get off trail to avoid tourists. Vernal Falls is one of the most iconic falls in Yosemite and is a straight drop down; a must see especially during this time of year.

Find deer in the grass forests: As you turn around and notice El Capitan and half dome lurking across make your way into the fields smack dab in the middle of the valley as deer graze.

Ahwahnee hotel: Relax next to the fire and grab lunch at one of the oldest, most original landmarks in the valley.

Yosemite Falls: Hike to the base of lower Yosemite Falls which gives you a perspective of just how small you are as you gaze up the 2,425-foot drop.

Glacier Point: One of the most iconic drives and photographed places on the planet; stand atop as you gaze out over the entire valley floor.

Taft Point: Once again, one of the most iconic spots to view the bottom floor. The sun sets over the Merced River as you stand more that 7,000 feet above the flowing water.

As always, let me know what I missed and your thoughts as to if you think you could complete the list in a day’s trip.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

6 Unrealistic Expectations Society Has For Young Adults

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

2021
boy in adult clothes

Well over four feet tall and 100 pounds in weight, many of us "young adults" of the world still consider ourselves children. Big, working, college-attending, beer-drinking children. We may live on our own, know how to cook noodles, and occasionally use a planner, but don't be fooled; the youthful tendencies that reside within us still make their way into our daily lives. From choosing to stay up until 3:00 a.m. playing video games on a school night to going out in 30 degree weather without a coat, we still make decisions that our parents and grandparents would shake their heads at in disappointment. So why are we expected to know exactly how to be a wise, professional, sensible adult? It's not that we're irresponsible (for the most part, anyway). It's that we are young, inexperienced, and still have the sought-after, enthusiastic mentality that we can do and be whatever we want, which has not yet been tarnished by the reality of the world. These are just a few of the unrealistic expectations that society has for young adults.

Keep Reading...Show less
pizza
Fandango

There are a lot of foods in this world, but there is only one dish that stands above the rest: Pizza. If you're close to me or at least know who I am, then you know that I'm totally obsessed with pizza. It's one of my favorite things to eat and I will NEVER turn down a slice, even if it doesn't have my favorite toppings. There isn't a day that goes by where I'm not thinking about pizza. I even sleep with a pizza pillow every night! There are many reasons why pizza stands above all other foods, and here are just a couple reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
sex and the city
Warner Bros. Television

1. You don't have to feel guilty about flirting with customers for tips (or just for shits and giggles).

2. You can be obnoxiously flirtatious with anyone you want. You are free to be that girl that flirts with everybody and makes 'em all smile (it's especially fun when the guy is as cute as Collin Jost). No shame.

3. Making random men nervous with your superior beauty and intense eye contact just for the hell of it is really amusing and empowering.

4. No one gives two poops if ya legs are hairy (your man shouldn't either but *Kermit the Frog meme* That's none of my business)

5. The toilet seat will remain down.

6. There's more money to spend on yourself.

7. There's always this secret butterfly in your tummy that marvels at the possibility that when you go out this weekend you're gonna meet someone super handsome/wonderful/prince-like and have this moment of dazzling dalliance.

8. Nothing is that serious...you can take it all with a grain of salt...you don't owe anybody anything.

9. You can dance with anyone and everyone...or no one (Hello frat boi w/ glasses, I see you).

10. You don't have to fluff anyone's ego but your own.

11. Free drinks and dinners from single guys (It's not taking advantage if they're offering; a girl's gotta eat).

12. You have more time to learn how to love and improve yourself rather than constantly pouring your energy into another person.

13. You don't have to sacrifice your cheesy Jen Aniston rom-coms and Gilmore Girls for his Fast and Furious/other dumb action movie featuring blonde that is only in the movie to supply a relationship to the male lead and to make him look more masculine/empowered in juxtaposition (In other words, you don't have to deal with a guy being a crabby Patty while you watch your cute movies).

14. You can daydream about what your future husband may be doing right now (and not get stressed/guilty out because you're not picturing your current boyfriend that's crazy about you as your future husband).

15. There is more time to be spent with your girlfriends.

Girls Night In
Milk + Blush

We've all been there - you've been saying since Tuesday after French that this weekend is the weekend. You're finally going to break out those new heels and actually put on eyeliner on and make this Friday night be one for the memory books! That is, of course, until Girls Night Out turned into...Girls Night In.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

What Is Your Zodiac GIF?

Characteristics of the astrological signs, explained through GIFS.

759
zodiac
Wordpress

Whether you believe astrology is a legitimate "science" or not, we have all found ourselves looking at our horoscopes from time to time. The 12 astrological signs all fall under one of four elements: air, water, earth, or fire. Air signs are rational, social, and love to communicate with others. Water signs are are emotional, intuitive, and mysterious. Fire signs tend to be passionate, creative, and adventurous. Earth signs are conservative, realistic, and loyal.

Each sign is determined by the relative positions of celestial bodies to ourselves at our moment of birth, which is said to influence our personalities. Find your zodiac GIF below, based on the traits and characteristics provided by each sign.

***Disclaimer: GIFS are meant to be lighthearted and are based on descriptions of signs from http://www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com/.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments