Yosemite: Towering Cliffs and Waterfalls

My first view of Yosemite was breathtaking. The Tioga Pass over the Sierra Nevada had been closed for several days because of an early snowstorm. Fortunately, the sun came out for three days, and the road reopened. Everywhere above 6,000 feet (1,828 m) was blanketed in snow, and the sun sparkled on the surface of the lakes.

Half Dome in Yosemite

Half Dome seen from Olmstead Point

As I came down from the pass, I caught my first glimpse of Half Dome from Olmstead Point . Half Dome is a majestic granite rock rising to 8,836 feet (2,693 m). It dominates many vistas in Yosemite, and stands at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley. The valley itself is surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls, including two of the world's tallest falls.

Yosemite certainly is something special, and well worth a visit. The only drawback is that it is so popular. Yosemite Valley attracts such large numbers that visitors are encouraged to leave their cars in massive car parks and to use the free shuttle buses that go to all the main points of interest.

Chickaree

The little animal munching away at a pine cone at the top of the page is a chickaree (or Douglas squirrel) that I spotted in Mariposa Grove at the southern end of Yosemite National Park. When alarmed, a chickaree makes a series of short, high-pitched calls.

When to Visit

Yosemite National Park is open all year round, but weather conditions can change unexpectedly from November to April, and chains may become mandatory on any park road. The Tioga Pass over the Sierra Nevada is closed by snow in winter.

Getting There

Yosemite National Park is a four-hour drive from San Francisco, and six hours from Los Angeles. You can also enter the park from the East through the Sierra Nevada over the Tioga Pass. The western routes are normally open all year, but the Tioga Pass is closed by snow from November to April.

Where to Stay

There are three hotels inside Yosemite National Park, as well as several other locations offering simpler accommodation and campsites. For details and reservations, visit Yosemite Accomodations.

There are also plenty of places to stay just outside the park. For details, visit Yosemite.com.

More Information

Park entrance is $20 for a car and all occupants for seven consecutive days.

Yosemite National Park website.

Detailed map of Yosemite (PDF 1.8MB).