Explore 176 write-ups tagged with National Parks

Wedged between the granite walls of Half Dome and North Dome on the east end of Yosemite Valley, visit an enticing body of water that doubles the Yosemite splendor. Mirror Lake, which is not actually a lake but rather a shallow seasonal pool, is famous for its reflective beauty. Due to it's popularity and easy-to-reach-ness, a few trails lead to Mirror Lake. ...Read more.

A pair of paved paths lead to a viewing bridge below Lower Yosemite Fall, creating a 1.2-mile loop to the foot of the tallest waterfall in North America, and the fifth tallest in the world. The western side of the loop is laid out in a line with Yosemite Falls to provide absolutely eye-popping, jaw-dropping, imagination-defying, awe-inspiring views of the 2,425-foot waterfall. ...Read more.

The panoramic view from Taft Point and the rock fissures nearby provide a rewarding 2-mile hike. The dirt single track descends just 250 feet to an outcropping on the south wall of Yosemite Valley that overlooks El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. Yosemite Fall from Taft Point From the trailhead, turn left and begin a peaceful walk through a big pine forest bordering a high elevation meadow. ...Read more.

Glacier Point is in incredible overlook in Yosemite National Park. The road to Glacier Point closes in the winter and spring because of snow, but maybe the road should be closed year round. Hear me out... The views from Glacier Point are too extraordinary to be able to drive right up to them! It shouldn't be that easy. Imagine how someone would feel after hiking all the way to the top of Half Dome, only to find out that a nearby view over Yosemite Valley requires barely any hiking. ...Read more.

The 620-foot single-drop Bridalveil Fall is not the longest waterfall in Yosemite National Park, but it is one of the most elegant. A half mile round trip hike delivers visitors to a viewing platform at the base the waterfall. The short and easy hike is not to be missed. From the trailhead, Bridalveil Fall is visible through the pine forest, plunging from a hanging valley along the south wall of Yosemite Valley. ...Read more.

Is it a competition? Like Sequoia National Park, Yosemite invites visitors to its own groves of giant sequoias, namely the Mariposa Grove near the park's south entrance. Every giant sequoia grove is specoal, but does Yosemite have a tree that compares to Sequoia's General Sherman Tree, the biggest tree in the world? The Grizzly Giant in Mariposa Grove is a massive tree to see. ...Read more.

On the drive north to Yosemite Valley on Highway 41, as anticipation builds for the beauty ahead, you will pass through a dark tunnel. Suddenly the tunnel end, and an epic view appears, a breathtaking valley with magical waterfalls spilling off dramatic granite wall. Pull over the car and take in the full magnificence of Tunnel View. The eastward vantage into spectacular Yosemite Valley serves up a timeless view. ...Read more.

This less-traveled single track on the southern end of Yosemite National Park visits thundering cascades and one of the longest falls in the park outside Yosemite Valley. Chilnualna Falls Trail passes through charming forests on the way to Upper Chilnualna Falls where hikers can connect to other trails delving into the Yosemite backcountry. Chilnualna Falls Trail is rated as strenuous for its length more than its pitch. ...Read more.

Yosemite National Park is one of the premier areas for outdoor recreation in America and a great place to camp. While you can choose from over 1,600 sites (once all the snow clears), park campgrounds often fill completely. Planning ahead is essential. Many campgrounds in Yosemite National Park take reservations, and in peak summer months, these sites are typically booked far in advance. ...Read more.

As dependent as we have become on smartphones, California still has some corners, like Yosemite Valley, where data coverage does not reach. This is a probably a good thing, but it is still handy to have fast information at your fingertips while visiting Yosemite National Park. At its core, Chimani's Yosemite National Park app is a park guide enhanced with a GPS locator. ...Read more.