Yosemite National Park – High Sierra Region, California

Yosemite National Park – High Sierra Region, California

Covering nearly 1,200 square miles this mountainous terrain in the Sierra Nevada of California is one of the most beautiful parks you will see.

If you are planning your California Vacation and have Yosemite on your agenda fist you need to decide during which season you want to visit.  If you are planning to tour the park by car you will want to choose the route that you want to take.  Although each of them is scenic there are some that are more famous than others.  The most famous is the drive on Tioga Road, a 39 mile drive from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass.  The road is typically open from late May or early June through sometime in November.  Some of the other driving tours are Wawona/Mariposa Grove which takes about an hour; Glacier Point, about an hour; Craine Flat, 30 minutes; Hodgdon Meadow/Big Oak Flat Entrance, 45 minutes; Hetch Hetchy, 1 ½ hours; Tioga Pass, 1 ¾ hours.  Each of these will be a fabulous experience.

Backpacking in Yosemite is probably the best way to see this wilderness area.  There will be no further development of the park since Congress declared 95% of the park a designated Wilderness.  Some backpackers travel with a horse or pack animal.  Some regulations do apply such as a maximum of 25 head of pack and saddle stock per party.  Cross-county or off-trail travel with stock is prohibited.  Llamas are not allowed on the High Sierra Camp Loop, the Vernal/Nevada Falls corridor, or the river trail from Nevada Fall to Merced Lake.  Wilderness stock users must carry and use a shovel and rake to naturalize camps and scatter manure.  There are other considerations and regulations so be sure to check with the Park Ranger.

There are plenty of opportunities for bird watching, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, water activities and winter sports in the park.  The Rangers also provide programs for your education and enjoyment.

You may, or may not, see a bear during your visit because they naturally avoid people.  If you should see one what you do depends on the situation.  In any case, always let a ranger know or leave a message at 209-372-0322.  Just remember that this is THEIR home, you are the visitor!

You don’t need a reservation to visit Yosemite.  If you are planning to camp or find lodging you are going to want to make reservations for those in advance.

Yosemite Valley is world famous for the impressive waterfalls, meadows, cliffs and unusual rock formations.  This area is accessible by car all year round.

The Mariosa Grove is located 36 miles south of Yosemite Valley, near the park’s South Entrance.  The Mariposa Grove is the largest stand of giant sequoia (also known as Sierra redwoods or big trees) in Yosemite.  The road into the area is not plowed in the winter and is often closed to cars, but hikers or skiers can get through easily. 

Glacier Point & Badger Pass information consists of the overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the High Sierra. The overlook is located 30 miles from Yosemite Valley.  The road is closed from sometime in November through early May or late June.

The park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.  However, the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station is open only during daylight hours.

Admission: $20 per car which is good for 7 days.

$10 per person if arriving on foot, horseback, motorcycle, or on a non-commercial bus (free for those 15 and younger).

Related posts:

1. Sequoia High Sierra Camp – High Sierra, California
2. I’ve Been to Yosemite, Now What? Increase Travel to Yosemite to Bring Increased Visitors to Gateway Communities
3. Lassen Volcanic National Park – Mineral, California
4. Sequoia & Kings Canyon – West of Death Valley National Park, California
5. Joshua Tree National Park – Twentynine Palms, California