Hidden away in the Sierras, Yosemite’s unspoiled beauty will take your breath away. Between granite beasts, untamed waterfalls, and a valley floor teaming with wildlife, you will be overwhelmed, especially if it is your first visit.

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Yosemite owes its existence, as many parks do, to John Muir, who had particular fondness for the park. Muir once said, “Nowhere will you see the majestic operations of nature more clearly revealed beside the frailest, most gentle and peaceful things. Nearly all of the park is profound solitude.” Although complete solitude is a rare commodity in the park these days, the natural beauty is still present.

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The waterfalls are certainly my favorite feature of the park. No matter where you are in the valley, you can see or heard one. The best months to visit to view the falls are March to June, according to the National Park Service. I happened to be there in May following a winter with above average snowfall, so the falls were ripping and roaring. Although breathtaking, they have claimed numerous lives of people who ventured too close.  

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Vernal and Nevada Falls are my favorite in the park. They are “stair-stepping” falls and drop a combined 900 feet. Take the Mist Trail to truly experience their power. It winds right up to and over the both falls. You will get very wet on this hike, so dress appropriately. Once on top of the falls, take John Muir trail down to get a wonderful panoramic view of the falls and half-dome.

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If entering from the south via Wawona Road, the most scenic fall – Bridalveil Fall - waits to greet you. It drops an astounding 620 feet and it is gushing. Wawona Tunnel Overlook provides a stunning panoramic view of the valley, but especially the falls (Bridalveil and Upper/Lower Yosemite). There is a very short hike that leads to the base of Bridalveil.

The beautiful Merced (Mer-Sed) River, which feeds the aforementioned Vernal and Nevada falls, flows through the entire valley. There are multiple opportunities to photograph the river or picnic by it. Some of the campgrounds are even adjacent to it.

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Be sure to bring your bike, as there is a large network of paved biked trails that wind through the entire valley. This is great way to get around as the roads get very congested in peak season. Bike over to the visitor center and the rustic Ahwahnee (formerly called Yosemite Lodge). The lodge was built in the 1920s and is a National Historic Landmark. The park offers a free shuttle service too, if bringing a bike isn’t a possibility.

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In addition to the Mist and John Muir trails, two of my favorite hikes in the park, you must hike the Four Mile trail up to Glacier Point. This trail is strenuous, but you earn an excellent panorama of the valley. You can drive to Glacier Point, but that is cheating and it is quite a long drive from the valley to get to the road leading to it. Unfortunately, the trail and roads to Glacier Point were closed during my visit as hazardous conditions still existed and additional snowfall was still expected.

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El Capitan and Half Dome are, by themselves, reasons enough to visit the park. These gigantic granite monoliths protrude from the ground and seemingly reach to heaven. If you have a sharp eye, you can spot very brave souls climbing them. They are impressive structures that remind you of have very small and fragile you are. Humbled you will be after casting your eye on them.

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Yosemite will always be in my top 5 favorite national parks. By some miracle, the granite monoliths block the negativity from the real world and the roaring falls drowns out the anxiety in a persons’ soul. Bob Ross would always say that God was having a good day when he created Alaska. I think he was having a great day when he created Yosemite.