Yosemite Travel Plan - Places to Visits, Things to do - 2
Yosemite National Park’s Civilized Wilderness
Enjoy nature at its finest along with cultural amenities you might not expect in a national park.
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The tiny town of Wawona is four miles north, anchored by the historic Wawona Hotel (Read our article about where to stay and eat in Yosemite). Adjacent is the Pioneer History Center, where you’ll find a collection of restored historical buildings and information signs posted to allow for self-guided tours. Buildings are generally open Wednesdays through Sundays in the summer. Catch a hair-raising 10-minute wagon ride from the Wells Fargo Building here on weekends.
Glacier Point and Badger Pass
About 30 miles south of Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point is accessible via a winding mountain road that is closed in mid-November through early May. Expect the drive to take close to an hour, even with good road conditions. High elevations make for spectacular panoramic views of the valley and a near eye-level vista of Half Dome. From December through early April, the same road in is plowed up to Badger Pass, a popular ski resort.
- Where's the gold?
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Bill Becher
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne Meadows is a wildflower-strewn sub-Alpine area with jaw-dropping views of the surrounding granite cliffs, small lakes and ponds and miles of easy, flat hiking trails. Again, because of high elevation and heavy snow fall, Highway or SR 120 (also called Tioga Road) to Tuolumne Meadows is open only from late May through early November. When visiting in season, don’t miss the 39-mile stretch of scenic roadway from Crane Flat to Tuolumne—one of the most scenic drives in California.
- Ansel Adams Gallery
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John Trainor
Hetch Hetchy
In the early 1900s, Hetch Hetchy Valley—described at the time as being as uniquely lovely as Yosemite Valley—was the center of a clash between politicians and preservationists led by Yosemite champion John Muir: The growing city of San Francisco needed additional water sources and hydroelectric power, and turned to the Tuolumne River to find it. After a drawn out, bitter fight, the U.S. Congress authorized the construction of the O’Shaughnessy Dam, which resulted in the flooding—some would argue the destruction—of Hetch Hetchy Valley.
Although the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir that resulted from damming the river is privately owned and thus off-limits to boaters and swimmers, hikers can catch a glimpse of two lovely waterfalls. Tueeulala Falls is visible about two miles from the trailhead near the reservoir; Wapama Falls is another half-mile beyond.
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Comments
3 Comments on this article | read all commentsOK, I'm ready to go back to Yosemite!
by Kevin on June 10, 2008
We're camping in Tuolumne Meadows with another family in August. Can't wait. Last time we went it was sans kids and we did the Vernal Falls (see cover photo on article) - Nevada Falls hike. It's probably my favorite hike of all time. Haven't done Half Dome yet, but it's on the list!
Watch out for Bears!
by Calistoga on March 26, 2008
The last time I was in Yosemite the people I was traveling with saw 3 bears. Just my luck though, I didn't see any! Seeing a bear in the wild is really a treat though.
Before you die, hike Half-Dome!
by love2travel on February 10, 2008
Hiking Half Dome was one of the highlights of my "hiking resume". It was challenging, but extremely rewarding! I will reiterate what I am sure all the guidebooks tell you: bring lots of water, and begin the trek early. Also, while there is a collection of very threadbare gloves at the base of the cables, I would recommend bringing your own. For good karma, you could leave them for a later hiker. :) Happy Hiking!