Yosemite National Park Sports & Outdoors

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This hike loops the valley floor. The total hike is 13 miles but has a good half way mark to make the 6.5 miles. It is a beautiful trail, very easy to hike BUT very difficult to find, especially near the village and camp 4. One main problem is the lack of signage throughout the trail but especially in the more popullar areas near Yosemite Falls. I actually spoke to 4 different rangers and None of them can actually give good directions as to finding a good starting point.

One good thing is you really can't get lost. The loop runs the same route as the North bound and south bound drives, crossing the road several times and there are only a few locations where you can't actually hear traffic on the road. More signage would make it more enjoyable and not waste a bunch of time trying to figure out what side trail is the actual route.

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We spent an afternoon by Tenaya Lake, it was lots of fun, we found this body of water right next to the lake, like a small whitewater rafting area, that allowed us to put our kids in an inflatable boat and let them float down (we had them on a string of course). The around scenery was beautiful, lots of trees and mountains. Fun time!

Let's see . . . what is there to do in Yosemite? It's not all about staring at gorgeous vistas or leisurely strolling through a meadow. For the more adventurous there are tons of options. Here's a list for you that includes activities for every season . . . biking, climbing, rafting, stable rides, backpacking, camping, fishing, golfing, hiking, swimming, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, tubing and snowshoeing.

For more details see the website below.

You can rent a raft at Curry Village, and put in at the Merced River right across the street. We did it in August and the water was pretty low. The wind came up and it was a struggle paddling against it in some parts. We were exhausted by the end. But it is fun to stop along the way. Water was very cold and refreshing to take a swim. You do get some great views of the falls along the way.

Equipment: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks in a waterproof bag, camera, water shoes like Keens.

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Yosemite National Park is one of the top backpacking destinations in the world so if you are in any way so inclined bring your backpack. Even if you have just been thinking of giving it a try, it's a great place to do it with trails for all levels. There are also countless hikes of shorter duration if you are just looking to day hike.

Equipment: Backpacking requires the proper equipment. You will be walking in the wilderness and will need to be self-reliant. A good quality tent is essential in most terrains and unless it's unlikely to rain, make sure it's properly sealed. A proper sleeping mat is another thing not to scrimp on. It not only makes it more comfortable, it acts as an insulator to keep you warm. Your sleeping bag is your life line to keep you warm and get you warm if you develop hypothermia. A compact stove can be viewed as optional but if hiking at elevation, a warm meal and beverage can be a life saver, not just something nice to eat. You'll need a good pack to carry everything and of course, all the clothes and gear you'd need for any type of mountain day hiking.

For a fact Tuolumne Meadows is a gentle, dome studded meadowy section of the Tuolumne River, in the eastern section of Yosemite National Park. There are many beautiful day hikes to explore.

Via the Soda Springs we reached the Parsons Memorial Lodge, built in 1915 by the Sierra Club. This hut was a meeting point, reading room and mountain headquarters. When we were inside we saw that it had an exhibition on the human history of Tuolumne Meadows.

After our visit to Parsons Hut we returned to the Tuolumne Meadows. Our view with Lembert Dome in the background was magnificent. The Lembert Dome is a familiar landmark in the meadows area. After all we were very glad we made the decision to hike the Tuolumne Meadows!

Equipment: Have a look at Yosemite National Park Packing List.

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This 1.5 miles (1 hour) round trip hike was fun to do. Just go from Lembert Dome to the north-west directions along the gravel road and continue straight, past the locked gate (signed Glen Aulin and Soda Springs).

We told you earlier that the soda spring water is healthy, but not everybody agrees. When we entered the Soda Spring Hut we learned from a park ranger that it's carbonated water which bubbles up from the ground, mostly found inside the wooden enclosures. The ranger told us that many people drink this water, but he advised against it due to the possible surface contamination.

After drinking the water, why listen to the park ranger :-), we continued the path that winds to the bridge and continues on to the Parsons Lodge and Tuolumne Visitor Center.

Equipment: Have a look at Yosemite National Park Packing List.

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At over 8600 feet in elevation, Tuolumne Meadows offers a break from the heat and some of th crowds commonly found in Yosemite Valley. Because of its elevation, temperatures in Tuolumne average 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Yosemite Valley.

During our visit to the park we made 2 hikes and stayed for a while in Yosemite Valley. The first hike was over the Tuolumne Meadows. This is the largest alpine pasture of the Sierra's. The bright green colour form a beautiful contrast to the bald granite rock peaks surrounding it. Some peaks retain snow throughout the summer and therefore provide breathtaking views. It was quite a flat hike and took us via the log-cabin of the Sierra Club to a water well, the so calles Soda Springs.

The water comes right out of the ground and is ready for consumption. We tried it, but the iron level in the water is very high and therefore doesn't it taste too well, but it's very, very healthy.

Equipment: Have a look at Yosemite National Park Packing List.