Yosemite National Park: Tips for First Time Visitors

The recent rock falling at Yosemite National Park resulted in the closing of 18 cabins at family friendly Curry Village. In 2008, a major rock avalanche in the same area had the park fenced off more than one-third of the 600 cabins in Curry Village (Web: U.S. News on msnbc.com .) Will this incident slow down the onslaught of tourists who have helped make Yosemite one of the most visited parks in the national park system? Probably not. Tourists and die-hard national park enthusiasts remain undaunted and will continue to make the trek to Yosemite. Following are some tips for first time visitors who have only a couple of days at the park.

Stay inside the Park
Accommodations are plentiful, both inside and outside the park. I highly recommend staying inside the park, as it enhances your national park experience (just walking from the bath houses to the cabin under the shimmering moonlight is so romantic.) This means making reservations in advance, like a year in advance. Or you can take your chances and go in without reservations and see if there's a cancellation. I did the latter one spring and lucked out with a cabin near Yosemite Lodge. Stepping out of the cabin to a stunning view of Yosemite Falls is simply sublime.
Yosemite Falls, our wake up scenery
Waterfalls and Hiking
Arriving at Yosemite National Park's Arch Rock Entrance, you can't help but be awed by the towering cliffs and the thundering roar of Bridalveil Falls. It is no surprise that almost every hike in Yosemite Valley is straight up and strenuous. If you're looking for something more moderate, consider the hike to Vernal Falls (elevation 5,044 ft.) Starting at the trailhead at Happy Isles, the 1.5 miles Mist Trail will take you up about 1,000 ft. Fabulous views and rainbows await you on this exhilarating hike. You'll also see many artists at various locations along this trail. 
Vernal Falls
Not into rugged trails? There are also many trails on flat terrain. A popular hike is at picturesque Mirror Lake. You can beat the crowd and enjoy a quiet walk around the lake early in the morning. Mirror Lake is a popular swimming hole, and it gets quite crowded in the afternoon, especially in the summer. 
Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park
Mariposa Grove
You've seen them on TV. Now, you can see them in person. The sheer size of these ancient trees - the Grizzly Giant (estimated to be 2,700 years old), and the California Tunnel Tree (with a tunnel drilled through it), will blow your mind away. These giant sequoia trees can be found in Mariposa Grove, thirty miles south of Yosemite Valley, near the south entrance, and definitely worth a visit.

Of all the national parks I have visited, Yosemite National Park is my all-time favorite. No matter what season you go, you will be greeted with breathtaking scenery throughout the valley, where every glance is a masterpiece. Yosemite National Park is truly a photographer's paradise.
Of all the national parks I have visited, Yosemite National Park is my all-time favorite. No matter what season you go, you will be greeted with breathtaking scenery throughout the valley. It is no wonder Ansel Adams and John Muir made their footsteps here.  Yosemite National Park is truly a photographer’s paradise.

This article was originally published in Yahoo!Voices on Jan 29, 2013
Location: Yosemite National Park, California, USA

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