Spend One Day in Yosemite National Park
A famous story goes as follows: a Yosemite National Park tourist sidled alongside Dr. Carl Sharsmith, a long-time Yosemite park ranger. "I have less than one day to visit. Whatever shall I do?," the tourist asked the venerable ranger. Sharsmith pondered the question for a short while, then responded: "Madam, if I were in that sort of a fix, I'd go down to the river and have myself a good cry." Given that Yosemite National Park is about the same size as the state of Rhode Island, there is absolutely no way that you will see all the park in just one day. However, if you confine your visit to just one part of the park, you can at least get a small feel for all the park has to offer. One of the best ways is to spend the majority of your day in the Yosemite Valley.
Instructions
1. Begin your visit to the Yosemite Valley with a stop at the visitor center. Doing so will let you get an overview of the park's geology, natural history and culture. You can also talk with a park ranger to find out what activities, such as short hikes or talks, you could participate in during your visit.
2. Check out the outdoor display, located behind the visitor center, about the Native American populations that once inhabited the area. You can also learn more about the native peoples of Yosemite by taking a tour through the Yosemite Museum located next door to the visitor center.
3. Take the free shuttle bus to the Yosemite Falls stop. Here you can take a short, paved hike to the base of the Lower Yosemite Fall. The falls are most impressive during the late spring and early summer months.
4. Find a more intense hike by taking the shuttle bus to the Happy Isles stop. It is a 0.75-mile (steep) hike to the base of Vernal Falls. Another option would be to stay on the shuttle bus and get off at the Mirror Lake stop--here you will find a mostly-flat short loop trail out to Mirror Lake.
5. Consider seasonal activities. During the winter months, consider ice skating in Curry Village or taking a snowshoe hike from the Badger Pass Ski Area with a ranger. During the summer months, popular activities include taking a short float trip down the Merced River or renting a bike and cycling around the valley.
6. Grab a snack at Curry Village. Otherwise, you could eat at Degnan's Delicatessen in Yosemite Village, or at a restaurant in the Yosemite Lodge. If you are feeling fancy, take the shuttle bus to the Ahwahnee Hotel where you could eat in the dining room or grab a small bite at the bar.
7. View the sunset from Glacier Point. Access to Glacier Point is typically available from late May to early November, depending on the year's snowfall. During the summer months, rangers offer sunset natural history talks at Glacier Point. On the drive to Glacier Point, stop at Inspiration Point, where you can capture iconic photos of Yosemite Valley from a scenic vantage point.
Tags: Glacier Point, National Park, Yosemite National, Yosemite National Park, summer months, visitor center
