Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is clearly our favorite national park. It’s probably the awe inspiring face of El Capitan; or maybe it’s the amazing view of Half Dome from Glacier Point; maybe it’s just the realization of what glaciers can do to solid granite. We’ve been there 7 times since 2002.Our first visit to Yosemite National Park was in October 2002 when Sarita’s parents came to visit. We drove out there in a rented Mercury Mountaineer on a Saturday morning. We used the south western entrance along highway 140 and drove straight down to the valley floor. We got our first glimpse of Bridal Veil waterfalls, just a fine mist.

Our first visit to Yosemite National Park was in October 2002 when Sarita’s parents came to visit. We drove out there in a rented Mercury Mountaineer on a Saturday morning. We used the south western entrance along highway 140 and drove straight down to the valley floor. We got our first glimpse of Bridal Veil waterfalls, just a fine mist.

From there we drove to the visitor center for additional information. The food court at Yosemite Lodge had some excellent food. From there we walked to the Lower Yosemite Falls. Later we drove out El Portal on highway 140 and stayed at The Yosemite View Lodge. Dinner was pizza and beer. The next morning we headed back into the valley and continued along highway 140 to Glacier Point. On the way we stopped at Tunnel View from where the sight of the valley with El Capitan and Bridal Veil falls in the foreground and Half Dome in the background was breathtaking. But nothing could prepare us for the scene of natural beauty at Glacier Point. At around 3000 ft above the valley floor, you can see the entire yosemite valley, Half Dome, arches, Vernal and Nevada waterfalls, The Merced river, mirror lake, clouds rest and a number of other peaks and of course the path of the glacier.

Subsequently, we visited Yosemite again in May 2003 to hike, August 2003 with our friends Prem and Vineeta, April 2004 with Ramaa Mausi and cousins Pranav & Nivi, June 2004 with Raghu Kaka and aunt Champaka, October 2004 to hike and July 2005 with Sunil & Teju to camp.

Where to stay:
a. Camping: there are a number of campgrounds in the park, but they need to be reserved well in advance of your trip.
b. Lodging: Within the park there are a few lodges most of which are expensive. However the tents at Curry Village are really nice and reasonably priced. Outside the park the lodging may be cheaper, but the distance from the valley floor negates that cost saving. We’ve stayed in El Portal & Mariposa.

What to do:
Hiking, Camping, Photography - There’s so much to do, you just have to try it for yourself.

Food:
The food courts at Yosemite Lodge and Curry Village are very nice.

Be safe and Bear Aware

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