Yosemite

After King’s Canyon and Sequoia we ventured north to one of the most visited National Parks in the system: Yosemite. We actually stayed just south of the park in a Forest Service campground because the park was so busy. From our campground it was about 45 minutes to the Yosemite Valley. Our first drive down to the valley was slow due to a prescribed burn. Little did we know how much that burn would affect our trip. We first spend some time floating down the Merced River, it runs through the heart of the valley and is the ideal way to see the whole valley: El Capitan, Half Dome, the Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Dome and all the others. The float was relaxing and provided spectacular, if not smoky, views.
After the float we spent some time doing the typical, touristy crap. We took the shuttle and went to the lower falls, as well as the visitors’ center, walked Cook’s Medow and watched climbers on El Cap.

On our second full day we returned to the valley and took the five mile, uphill, slog to see both the Vernal and Nevada Falls. The biggest issue, in my opinion, with Yosemite is all the flippin’ people. In almost any other park (Yellowstone being one exception) a hike listed as “five miles, strenuous” would not be taken by the common visitor. However, at Yosemite said trail was inundated with visitors that were not prepared for such a hike.

Despite all that, the falls were beautiful.

Our Third day was spent on the Glacier Point road. We climbed to the top of Sentinel Dome (the second highest point in the park) and looked at…smoke. Remember that prescribed burn...it was so hazy due to the burn that you couldn't make out any distinct scenery.
We motored out of Yosemite that last day, going through the Tuolmne Meadows and out of the park.

Overall, I don’t think I feel the need to return to Yosemite, except maybe to go up Half Dome. It was crowded and difficult to appreciate due to the crowds.