Near Yosemite Valley
This is the classic spot in Yosemite that everyone goes to - crowded but probably a must-see. Approx 1hr15min from our house.
Yosemite Valley -> Tunnel View
Could stop here at the overlook with parking to see or do a short hike for a
nice view with less people hopefully. Some long, difficult hikes as well.
Hike options here
Easy/Medium
- Artists Point
- 2 Miles, but some elevation gain
- Up and then back down hill multiple times
- Out & back
- Inspiration Point
- 2.5 miles, up then down once Out & back
Hard
- Stanford Point Trail
- 7 miles
- Out & back
- Almost 3,000 ft elevation gain, mostly at the beginning
- Probably very difficult, but a very pretty view
Yosemite Valley -> Misc
In case we do a short hike at Tunnel View, these are some options for more to do in Yosemite Valley as well.
Hike options here
Easy
- Lower Yosemite Falls
- Basically a stroll, 1 mile, no elevation gain
- Loop
- Very pretty views of waterfalls
Medium
- Vernal Falls
- 3 miles
- Very steep (>60% grade for about a quarter/half mile)
- Out & back
- Very cool waterfall that makes rainbows
Hard
- Upper Yosemite Falls
- 6.5mi, 3k+ elevation gain
- Out & back
- Basically straight uphill
- Awesome view
Southern Overlooks
These are mostly drive-up spots with crazy overlooks. The three big ones are at the end of the drive:
- Washburn Point
- Glacier Point (Good sunrise spot, but would have to leave so early)
- Sentinel Dome (short hike)
They are a pretty long drive (Approx 2hr from airbnb), but an hour and a half of that are in the park, so likely very pretty drive.
Here are also some hikes and POIs that are on way to the three above
Hikes
Medium
- Sentinel Dome & Taft Point Loop
- Could do this instead of just the out & back 2 miler for sentinel dome
- 5 miles, not too hilly
- Taft Point is super pretty sunset, would have to hike ~1mi in the dark after
- Has an extra overlook at Taft Point which is a pretty unique view of the
valley
- Sentinel Dome & Taft Point via Glacier Point
- Same as above, but also goes to the top of sentinel dome
East Yosemite all the lakes
This is on the opposite site of Yosemite from where we are staying and is where a ton of lakes are.
Hikes
Easy
- Tuolumne River Trail by Pothole Dome
- 2 miles, no elevation
- Goes my Pothole Dome which is a big granite dome
- Tenaya Lake Trail
- 3miles, no elevation, just a stroll around the lake
- Very pretty lake
Medium
- Tuolumne Meadow to Cathedral Pass
- 8 miles
- Some elevation gain (~1000ft) but its pretty gradual
- Goes by the Upper Cathedral lake, with a small detour to the lower one
as well
