Description:

Yosemite National Park in all of its wonder-- from Cook's Meadow and Glacier Point to hiking the Vernal and Nevada Falls Trails and beyond-- is stunning. However, it wasn’t simply the awesome views, granite walls and falls that stunned our family, but the sheer amount of people immersing themselves in the Yosemite National Park experience. Danielle, Bryan and the girls reminisce about their trip in early May 2019 and offer tips and recommendations for others wanting to visit and avoid crowds.

Our Discussion Includes the Following:

• Why Bryan feels that planning is important when visiting Yosemite (2:45)

• How we spent our time in Yosemite-- after hitting the “weather lottery” (5:23)

• Challenges to planning your trip in Yosemite (6:32)

• How adjusting your expectations may help you enjoy the crowds and camaraderie in Yosemite Valley (7:19)

• Arriving in the park and getting our bearings at the Visitor Center (10:00)

• Court settlement - original names of several iconic lodging are reinstated (13:00)

• Mirror Lake (14:15)

• Advantage of visiting in spring - waterfalls (15:09)

• Unforgettable Vernal-Nevada Falls - strenuous, popular hike that is worth testing the limits of your kids! (15:53)

• Biking around the Valley to Happy Isles  (25:16)

• Ansel Adams Gallery Camera Walk (30:48)

• Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center (Sierra Club) (32:27)

• Housekeeping Camp Beach (33:06)

• The Ahwahnee (34:20)

• Starry Night Skies over Yosemite through Yosemite Hospitality in Cook’s Meadow (36:18)

• Stops along the way from Yosemite Valley to Wawona starting with El Capitan, including tips for viewing climbers and parking (38:34)

• Bridalveil Falls, Tunnel View, Glacier Point (39:44)

• Wawona and the Wawona Hotel (42:14)

• Tom Bopp’s Yosemite Music at the Wawona Hotel (42:56)

• Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (45:11)

• Tip: Check the date of The Yosemite Half Marathon when choosing dates and planning your trip! (47:31)

• Something different that Danielle wants to do on the next visit to Yosemite (48:36)

• Lottery for the backcountry campsites to visit the High Sierras (49:16)

• Our youngest daughter’s take on our Yosemite trip- Night skies, Vernal & Nevada Falls a rainbow joke, Tom Bopp  (52:18)

• The “Firefall” around February (57:14)

• Our oldest daughter shares her favorite memories - bike riding to Happy Isles, waterfall hike, waterfall joke, Giant Sequoia facts (59:42)

Tips for your Travels:

• Talk to a ranger at the Visitor Center when you first arrive at Yosemite. There is 20 minute parking at the Camp Store.

• Plan around the Yosemite Half Marathon if you wish to participate or avoid it.

• In cooler months, you may want to pay up for a heated tent at Camp Curry. It gets chilly.

• Plan ahead! It will likely be crowded as there seems to be no true “shoulder season” in Yosemite.

• Many of the waterfalls do not flow year-round, so if that is something you would like to see, plan to visit in spring.

• Bring plenty of water, especially on a hike like Vernal & Nevada Falls in warm weather.

• Check the park newspaper for special programs in Yosemite.

• You need a permit for back-country camping in the High Sierras.

• Don’t touch the large pinecones in Mariposa Grove! They will stain your clothes.

• Don’t forget your camera for some gorgeous and dramatic natural photos. In Yosemite, whenever you see those information signs, there is a photo opp!

• When traveling with family, schedule a day of solo photography ahead of time.

• Use a hotel shower cap to protect your camera from the rain in a pinch.

• Use what you have on hand, like a wallet or boulder, if a tripod isn’t available to you.

• Always backup your photos

• Always check the weather!

  
  

Additional Resources From This Episode:

• Yosemite Lodging

• Yosemite Camping Reservations

• Wawona @ Yosemite National Park

• Sierra Club

• Yosemite Conservancy Programs
  
  
• Aramark: Experience Yosemite National Park - activities, tours, programs

• Guided Ranger Tours @ Yosemite

• Tree Ecology and the Giant Sequoia

• Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 59 Parks (Travel Guide)

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• Explore more adventures through beautiful parks.

• Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.

• Visit our website for complete show notes.