Yosemite: the land of Giants
Made from natural attractions of colossal proportions – rocks, massifs, waterfalls and trees – the Yosemite National Park can be radical but also offers contemplation and plenty of fun for the family
By Nathalia Hein
Every trip requires planning. Some more, others less. If you intend to include the Yosemite National Park among the destinations for your next family trip, it’s better to plan at least six months in advance. Hotel reservations, trails, tickets for the park and a detailed outline of what you want to do, depending on the time of year, are the starting point for this unforgettable adventure.
This is because, in addition to being immense, majestic and impossible to know in only one go, Yosemite is one of the most visited parks in the United States for the most diverse purposes, whether it’s contemplation, adventure or to enjoy with your family, which should be your situation if you are reading this.
An oasis of nature in the eclectic state of California, it is more than 3,000 km2 nestled in the Sierra Nevada glaciers – about a 4-hour drive east of San Francisco. Another alternative is to fly from Los Angeles to the Fresno airport, which is about 100 km from the main entrances to the park – there are five in total. From there you need to rent a car, which is necessary throughout the trip for those who are traveling with children.
Your first destination should be Yosemite Valley, which is the “heart” of the park, home to a small town, Yosemite Village, and the starting point for the main attractions of the region. The place is also the first major spectacle of the trip, as it is part of an impressive geological display of giant walls inhabited by black bears, squirrels, deer and an infinite number of birds.
The village also has the hotels most sought after by tourists: to stay in accommodation inside the park, planning is essential. There are few options, most of them with reservations sold out over half a year in advance. Among the good options, the Yosemite Valley Lodge is close to the village and is one of the most traditional in the park, with a rustic, “mountain house” style. It is usually great value for money for families, both for the room sizes and the structure. Another of the original mountain hotels of California, the Wawona Hotel is located inside a Victorian building.
Luxurious and comfortable, about 2 km from downtown, the historic, The Ahwahnee, has spacious suites, exquisite decoration and breathtaking views of attractions such as the Yosemite Falls and the Half Dome, which is the rock that is the reference point of Yosemite. It also offers a range of activities, from skiing to access to golf courses, depending on the time of year. It is important to remember that the choice of the season can make all the difference to the trip. This is because the landscape changes radically with each passing season and many of the attractions are inaccessible in the winter months. On the other hand, many are crowded during the summer. The park’s hotels and information center issue warnings about closures (see the information below).
There are excellent alternatives for accommodation in the cities close to the park, such as the family-friendly Yosemite View Lodge, in the city of El Portal, five minutes from the park entrance. The city has great hotels in the same style, a home base outside Yosemite’s domain.
Once settled in, it is good to remember that there are many attractions with reasonable distances from each other. Those with children in tow should keep a supply of snacks and water although almost all of the stops have refreshments available.
A Mecca for extreme sports such as mountaineering, rafting and mountain biking, Yosemite should be enjoyed in a simpler version for those traveling with children. Forget the long trails, with tiring climbs. There are hundreds of easier, risk-free options. One of them is the Mirror Lake, a 1.6 km walk along the river bank, which is very enjoyable with a huge spectacle at the end: the jaw-dropping reflection of the massive Half Dome reflected in the water of the river. In the summer, the river dries up, so this is one more seasonal show in the park. In the same direction, the Nature Center of Happy Isle trail leads to two small islets formed by the river, with one path hopping over rocks that should make your little adventurers laugh and scream.
One of the best chances of coming across bears is the drive to Glacier Point. It takes about an hour to reach this vantage point that extends over the Yosemite Valley, at an altitude of 2,200 meters, with extraordinary views of the most famous landmarks of the park. Two trails, short and easy from the parking lot, will reward you with breathtaking views: Taft Point leads to a frontal observation point of El Capitan, the impressive rock – the largest granite rock on Earth – and one of the most famous climbing spots in the world. The Sentinel Dome leads to the granite summit, at 2,800 meters, with a view overlooking the Yosemite Falls.
Speaking of the falls, the view of the impressive 739 meters high fall (the highest in North America) is impressive and will make you understand, once again, why Yosemite Park is a destination to witness as a family.
Another essential program everyone enjoys – the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias – is the home of the giant trees. There are more than 500 trees up to 90 meters high. The access to Mariposa Grove is a 3-kilometer walk (each way) on the Washburn Trail or via the Mariposa Grove Road. The park is closed in winter.
On the way to Half Dome, there are always hundreds of cars trying to get the best photo of the Wawona Tunnel View, Yosemite’s main postcard landscape. The view just after the tunnel combines El Capitan, Horsetail Fall, Clouds Rest, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rock and Bridalveil Fall in a single panorama.
Once the snaps have been taken, a winding road finally leads to the base of the Half Dome, the immense granite dome whose summit is 1,500 meters above the valley level. A dream-like scenario. Keep this moment of silence and harmony with nature in your memory for a lifetime. Your children will certainly do the same.
Services
It’s good to know:
Entrance to the park costs US$ 35 (R$ 190) per vehicle and is valid for seven days. All the information about access, attractions and road closure warnings, tickets and reservations: www.nps.gov
Discover Yosemite Valley Lodge
Discover Wawona Hotel
Discover The Ahwahnee
Discover Yosemite View Lodge
Important:
Prior to travel, travelers should check the weather, traffic conditions and local road closures with the California Department of Transportation.
Those visiting the park between November and April must bring chains to use on the tires of their vehicles.
