If you are visiting the US state of California, plan a few days in Yosemite National Park. The park is really spectacular with valleys, waterfalls, rock formations and giant sequoias. It is 1,200 square miles. El Captain is its most famous iconic landmark. It really is wonderful and photos I had seen previously didn’t do it justice.
How to get to Yosemite
Yosemite is situated in the North East of California quite near the Nevada border. I drove from Los Angeles which is a 5 hour drive (450km, 280 miles). It’s a 3 hour drive from San Francisco (270 km, 168 miles) and the nearest airport is in Fresno (80 minute drive away 128km, 61 miles). There are some regional airports closer which you could fly into also.
I strongly suggest you have a car when travelling to Yosemite. California is a huge state but has limited regional public transports systems. The road network is excellent with large motorways, connecting roads and everywhere is well signposted.
Is it safe to travel solo ?
I certainly think so and was alone when I spent 6 days hiking in Yosemite. I also think California is a very safe state to drive around alone. Just remember the heat and the distances. Always ensure your car has sufficient fuel for your journey, allowing for traffic delays.
Where can you stay in Yosemite ?
You can camp in Yosemite but you have to have a reservation to do so. Reservations are difficult to get during the peak season (April to October). Some areas have rules regarding where you can camp and some are based on a first come, first served basis. Campfires are allowed in some areas.
While I love camping, I didn’t camp during my trip as I wasn’t sure how safe it would be alone. There are lots of places to stay catering for every type of traveller. They range from glamping style camps, to lodges to luxury hotels.
I stayed in Oakhurst for my first 2 nights and then stayed at a cabin at the “Evergreen Lodge”. “Evergreen Lodge” is situated on the Western Border outside Yosemite National park. It is 1 mile from the “Hetch Hetchey” entrance and 7 miles from the South entrance. While it has 88 cabins, they are well spaced out and it has quite a rural feel.
The cabins are very comfortable and mine had a small outdoor seating area. The main lodge has a large dining area, a classic tavern (pub), a gift shop and an outdoor patio area. You can book tours and activities at the lodge if required.
My only complaint with the lodge, was that children ran around the dining area every night I was there. It really felt like a playground area. I am not anti children by any means but after a long day hiking, this may not be the ambience you want. As it was busy when I was there, I was often seated in open areas and couldn’t request a quiet table.
I did purchase food and eat breakfast and dinner on my patio on several occasions and I really enjoyed doing this.
My cabin had no internet or television, so it was a “get away from it all” type experience. I enjoyed relaxing and reading in the evenings. They currently advertise the cost at $201 per night for 2 people (B&B) on their website. I paid $250 each night when I visited so it certainly changes during the season.
Towns Nearby
Oakhurst is a 25 minute drive to the Park (26km, 16 miles). I stayed at “The Inn by the River” for 2 nights. It cost $170 each night but is advertised at $250 currently. I really liked this hotel and the surrounding area. The hotel had a free wine tasting event the first evening I arrived.
You could base yourself in Oakhurst for each day you go to Yosemite, but the traffic can be busy getting to the park. I suggest leaving no later than 7.30am each morning, if you are in Oakhurst. Oakhurst has several restaurants, cafes, filling stations and tourist shops. I also stayed at the “Oakhurst Lodge” on my last night. My room was very comfortable but the surrounding area isn’t as nice as at the Inn. This hotel is now advertised at $270 per night.
Groveland is about 84km, 52 miles from the South park entrance (40 minute drive). It is a large town with all urban facilities (see day 2, when I need a doctor). You could also base yourself in Groveland and it has lots of hotels.
Things to remember when visiting the Park
- Ensure you have sufficient fuel in your vehicle, as there are limited filing stations within the park
- There are some charging stations within the park so take note of the locations
- There are parking areas everywhere but you may not always be able to park near the start of your preferred trail. They are not sheltered and as it can get very hot, do protect your items from the heat
- Do ensure you have sufficient drinking water with you at all times
- Do have sufficient snacks with you also as there are no places to purchase items once you start hiking
- There are bears and other animals in parts of the park so do take care. You can rent a container to keep your food in, which the bears cannot access !
- You must ensure you dispose of any uneaten food and waste in the designated bins to preserve the park and for the safety of the wild animals
- There are lots of signs throughout the park identifying distances in miles. You can easily navigate your way around with these, a map and a bit of planning
Places to eat within the National Park
There are lots of places to eat at the main reception areas and lodges. There are also lots of picnic benches everywhere so you can take some food with you and eat it by the trails.
I ate at the following and on both occasions the food was of a high standard
- Wawona Lodge I had breakfast (eggs, hash browns and toast)
- Big Trees Lodge, I had lunch (veggie and goats cheese wrap)
Suggested 6 day Itinerary for exploring Yosemite
I spent 6 days hiking in Yosemite National Park on my own. I planned each day myself and went on different trails each day. I purchased a pass for a week which now costs $35.00. Passes are only available for 7 consecutive days and this includes the cost to park. If you do manage to figure out a way to get to the park without a car, it costs $20 for a single person to attend for 7 days.
When you drive in, they give you a day pass. They mark on it what number car you are. I don’t think they restrict the number of cars entering each day so presume this is for security reasons.
Some of the entrances are open 24 hours a day and some are open for daylight hours.
Day 1, enter via the South Entrance, start at Union Point
This 4.6 mile hike takes you to “Glacier point”. It took me 4 hours with lots of time to stop and take photographs and to enjoy the scenery. The views of the mountains and valleys were amazing. This is one of the best walks to see the rock formations. I saw my first waterfall also. I did see some redwood trees but not as many as I saw on other days.
I was very amused to read that an Irish immigrant “James McCauley” constructed this trail and it was completed in 1872.
I walked 26k steps on day 1.
Day 2, enter via the South Entrance, Valley Loop Trail
I was car 2 entering this day. I had brought some breakfast with me so I found a place to sit and eat before I started my hike. Bridalviel Falls is 1.8m from the start. There were lots of options on which way to go including to Half Dome Village, Pocono Bridge and El Capitan. I saw a river, lots of trees, the bridge and eventually the beautiful, stunning El Capitan. The photograph I took is the first one in this blog.
Again I walked for about 4 hours. I had intended to walk for longer but I started to feel a strange sensation in my eye. When I looked at it in a mirror I had a large red blood spot in it. I decided to leave the park and I drove to Groveland to find a doctor. Thankfully it was just a burst blood vessel and as I didn’t have a headache or any other symptoms, the doctor just washed my eye out. She told me unless I had other issues it would clear up in about 7 days. She said it may have happened due to the altitude and heat and I might have walked too quickly when starting out. This had never happened to me before or since. I was very grateful to be seen by this doctor and she didn’t charge me even though she gave me a detailed examination and asked me lots of questions.
I only walked 17.7k steps on day 2.
Day 3, enter via Hetch Hetchy (entrance opens at 7am)
Today I entered as car 16 as started a little later. I had to attend a quick conference call at work. I walked to see the O’Shaugnessy dam (another Irish connection).
The 1906 Earthquake destroyed parts of San Francisco including the water system infrastructure. While there was some opposition to the plans, the “Hetch Hetchey Water and Dam Project” commenced in 1913. It took 20 years to build the tunnels and pipelines. Today it provides water to 2.4 million people in nearby Groveland and in the San Francisco Bay area.
The dam is very impressive and there are lots of small waterfalls in the area. I was delighted to get the photograph of the rainbow at one waterfall.
I walked to Wampama Falls which is 5 miles from the dam. I saw lots of redwoods along the way. This day had the most diverse scenery due to the dam, tunnels, rivers, forests etc. You also walk along rocks on part of the trail. There were several signs telling you about the Native American people that live here and about the Archeological site protection work.
I walked 22k steps on day 3.
Day 4, enter via Big Oak Flat Road
I drove for about an hour into the Park after I passed through the entrance. Today I started the Porcupine Creek Trail. I walked for about 3 miles and then the trail stopped at Indian Rock. I walked back and then walked the North Dome trail.
I walked 23k steps on day 4.
Day 5, enter via Hetch Hetchy
Today I was the 3rd car entering the park. This entrance doesn’t get as many cars as some of the others. As I enjoyed my first day in this area I really wanted to return.
Today I walked to the Poopenaut Trail which was about 5 miles. The journey back was the toughest I had walked during my 4 days but I really enjoyed it. The landscape again is diverse with views of the forest, valley and rock formations.
This took me about 4 hours. I then drove to Dam Creek Park and ate the packed lunch I brought with me. In the afternoon, I walked to Look out Point which had an amazing panoramic view of the valley. I spent about 4 hours walking around various areas including Cottonwood and Smith Meadows.
I walked 28k steps on day 5.
Day 6, enter via Oak Ridge Entrance
I walked over the swinging bridge and to the Senteril Dome. The terrain was easier to walk on that day. I saw a deer and thankfully it waited until I took its photo before it ran away. This was one of the highlights of my trip !
I spent about 4 hours walking around and took lots of photos.
I then went to see the “Big Trees Lodge” and had lunch (veggie wrap). I walked around the area and again took lots of photos. There are lots of trees in the area and I saw a bird, I had never seen before with a beautiful blue tail.
I walked 18k steps on day 6. I stopped a lot on this day to really enjoy the scenery.
I then left the park and drove back to Oakhurst and spent the night before returning to Los Angeles.
I hope this helps you to plan some hikes in Yosemite. I have purposely only written minimal details for each day. I think my photos show you how beautiful and diverse this park is.
A picture is worth more than a 1000 words !!!
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