Yosemite National Park Travel Forum

A few friends and I will be driving from San Francisco in mid-October and are planning to visit Yosemite. Everyone seems to be in agree that we should visit the valley. I know there are a ton of hiking trails in Yosemite. Are there guided nature walks or any river rafting trips we can do? I would love any advice on how to book these either through a tour company or the park. If there are additional activities you think we should do I'd appreciate your advice on them as well. Thanks!

bookmark (for a 2009 visit)

Take a look at: www.nps.gov/yose. Gary

The waterfalls will be low, the Merced River will be low ( for tubing)
but there may be rafting outside the park? There are several good hikes for
beginners or intermediate hikers. Take the short hike up to Yosemite Falls.
Rent bikes for an hour or two and ride the Valley.( Its a loop) If you want an all day hike,
sign up at Yosemite Lodge for a bus ride to Glacier Pt. You can either hang out there for an hour or so, then take the bus back down ~ or hike down via
Panorama Trail. Awesome!!! But it is an all day hike. Make sure you have good
hiking shoes/boots, water, snacks and lunch. You'll see wildlife, 3 waterfalls,
you will really experience Yosemite. We did it with out 10 and 12 yr old kids.

See the Redwoods on your way into the Park, or on your way out. It takes a lot longer than expected to get around Yosemite due to elevation changes, windy roads, possible traffic. Leave extra time!

There are excellent Ranger Programs outside Yosemite Lodge each evening, they really are interesting. We saw one on the "Firefall". Really good.
Walk or ride over to the Awahnee Lodge ( if you're not staying there) and
see a true National Park Lodge. Have lunch on the patio - or a drink.
$500./night ~ real Park luxury.

Love Yosemite! Wish I was going back in August. Have fun.

There are usually several ranger-led hikes and programs on any given day. Check out the Yosemite Guide for the latest schedules:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm

Also, the hike down from Glacier Point isn't quite an all-day hike. It would probably take an average person 2-3 hours. I once was able to do the hike up from the valley trail head to Glacier Point in just under 2 hours but then I was kind of hoofing it. Go late in the afternoon to see the spectactular late-day sunlight on Half Dome and the surrounding area.

With all due respect... it's 10 miles. They estimate 6 hours, took us 8 because we stopped for lunch and to enjoy the scenery... (and catch our breath).

And you dont want to come down in the dark. Start early if you do this Panorama and plan on 6-8 hours depending on hiking ability, your own pace.

Take the Muir Trail down at the end and NOT the Mist Trail, it's 2 miles of down steps.

Let me clarify my answer regarding the hike to Glacier Point. I took the 4-mile trail (closer to 5 miles actually) which begins in the valley and pretty much goes straight up. The Panorama Trail is 8.5 miles and does take quite a bit longer. Here's what the NPS website says about the two hikes.

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Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley (strenuous)

Four Mile Trail: 4.8 miles (7.7 km) one-way; 3 to 4 hours
Panorama Trail: 8.5 miles (13.6 km) one-way; 6 to 8 hours

Begin at Glacier Point (Four Mile Trail begins north of the store; Panorama Trail begins south of the store)

It is strongly recommended that you take the hikers' bus to Glacier Point and hike down, rather than parking at Glacier Point and planning to catch the hikers' bus back up.

The Four Mile Trail switchbacks down to Yosemite Valley, providing wonderful views of the Valley.

The Panorama Trail provides a close-up view of Illilouette Fall and panoramic views of eastern Yosemite Valley before joining the Mist or John Muir Trails down past Vernal and Nevada Falls.

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