5 Reasons Why Yosemite is Repeatable

 

 

 

5 Reasons Why Yosemite is Repeatable

 

Just about every year my wife and I visit Yosemite National Park. I’m sure there are people that would call this “excessive” or say, “Yosemite again?” However, to me it’s a place that holds a special type of magic. With that said, here are my reasons why I enjoy Yosemite so much and why I want to share why Yosemite is so repeatable.

 

 

 

 

The Beauty of Yosemite National Park

 

When I start my adventure, I load up the WRX  and start my drive into Yosemite National Park and head towards Hwy. 41. If you’re driving on Hwy. 41, you will hit the quaint town of Coarsegold, CA where the scenery begins its transformation. After Coarsegold, you drive through the gateway town of Oakhurst, CA and that is where the beauty of Yosemite really begins to take shape. The elevation begins to climb and the trees get bigger.

Once you hit the gate for Yosemite, you will have the opportunity to see some Giant Sequoia Trees in Mariposa Grove before making your way towards the valley. Continuing on Hwy. 41 is where you will finally hit the iconic Tunnel View. Once you get through the tunnel, you will be met with awe inspiring beauty that everyone should experience in their lifetime. From the Yosemite tunnel view lookout, you drive down into the valley where you’re surrounded by granite mountains and cascading waterfalls that you can hear and see throughout Yosemite Valley. Along with the rest of the park, the valley is a well known section of the park for great photography opportunities.

 

 

 

 

The Reasons of the Seasons

 

Depending on the season that you decide to visit Yosemite, you’ll be met with a totally different environment based on whether you go in the winter, spring, summer, or fall. Yosemite weather can vary just like any other place, but it’s what gives life to the park and seasons. Seeing Yosemite National Park in the winter will give you snow capped granite monoliths, no crowds, and a beautiful snow covered valley floor that feels like a completely different place than the three other seasons. Spring brings snow melt that feeds booming waterfalls such as Bridalveil Falls, Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, and big boy Yosemite Falls.

Summer brings in the crowds, but I think there’s a special type of nostalgia that’s associated with visiting/camping at Yosemite (I always think of my childhood or National Lampoon’s Family Vacation). The summer is the beginning of chances; the chance of exploring the high county of Tuolumne Meadows, enjoying the lakes, rafting on the Merced River, and summer night hikes looking up into the night sky, but then there is fall. Fall is usually when I fight for Yosemite reservations because the fall colors really do make the park feel a little bit more special. The crowds start to fade a little bit (but can still be really busy on weekends). The weather in the fall brings cooler temps, but mostly sunny days that gives a nice little transition between nice warm mornings and cool evenings around the campfire.

 

 

 

Yosemite is a Fortress of Solitude

 

Whether you enjoy being around crowds or have the need to want to be alone, Yosemite is the place. I personally don’t mind being around some people, but I will get to that point where I just need some space. When I need that time alone, I can drive up to Tuolumne Meadows or tuck myself away at Upper Pines campground and kick my feet up. Or I can hike out to quiet areas of the Merced River and picnic or drive out to Glacier Point at night and snack on some Red Vines. Whatever your cup of tea is for solitude, Yosemite can hit the spot.

 

 

 

 

So Many Activities

 

If you want to come to the Park and do nothing, you can! There are Yosemite tours such as ranger lead hikes along with bus tours through the valley to see Yosemite landmarks. If you want to climb the face of El Capitan, well, you can do that too and everything in between. When I visit, I look forward to day hikes (unlimited options), lounging at camp eating some snacks, going for drives (day and night), relaxing at the Ahwahnee Hotel, and exploring new areas of the park. You can watch climbers working their way up, drift down the Merced River (when it’s safe to do so), bike riding, or go to the museums and learn how Yosemite came to be. There is plenty to do for all ages.

Here are some of my favorite Yosemite hikes:

• Panorama Trail (starting at Glacier Point to the valley)
• Mist Trail
• Mirror Lake
• Lower Yosemite Falls
• Valley Loop

 

 

 

The Nostalgia Factor of Yosemite

 

My family has gone camping since I can remember and I have a few core memories because of it. The memories of me being a kid and my mom and dad getting everything ready for the weekend camping trip always excited me. My mom cooking bacon and eggs in the early morning is special to me because it sets the tone for the rest of the day and to know that despite it being really cold, she loved us enough to do that.

I also remember my dad taking my older sisters and I at night to the amphitheater where park rangers would tell stories or teach us something new. I will never forget roasting marshmallows and sitting around the campfire and going to bed in the cozy sleeping bag. These memories mean a lot to me, and I get to relive it just a little bit every time I visit Yosemite National Park.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

I’m sure there are several more reasons I could name off, but these are the ones that come to me when I first think of Yosemite and why it’s so repeatable. If you have been, what are some of your favorite things to do in Yosemite (one of mine is the steam train)? If you’ve never been, what are some of the reasons you would want to visit? Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know. Check out the Yosemite website for more info along with the Yosemite-Madera website for info on surrounding areas.

 

 

See more travel inspiration here and here!