Park Views, Yosemite National Park

24 hours would not be enough to enjoy much more than just a taste of Yosemite. But I guess a taste is better than nothing :).

Given a chance, I would try to get accommodations in the park itself in Yosemite Lodge at the Falls or Curry Village. But I also understand that its very difficult to secure accommodations in the park because its so in demand.

All around the valley, the views would be amazing. I would try to get a parking spot as soon as I get in the valley and then take the free shuttle to get around so I could concentrate on the wonderful views and not worry about finding a parking spot every time I want to take in a magnificent vista (which is going to be very often. If you are driving around the valley, it will not be unusual to want to spot every 5 minutes or so just to take pictures). Go down every shuttle stop to explore a little and take small walks around. You can even take the free shuttle to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequioas down south (If driving, it may take an hour from the valley and parking spots are a little limited down there).

After that and going back to the valley, I would take the car and drive up to Glacier Point. This is a wonderful place which shows panoramic views of the major sites of the valley and the park. You cannot miss this. I like going there in the afternoon near sunset because I like to listen to the Ranger sunset talk, which is very interesting. This takes about an hour's drive from the valley so be sure to get there before sunset. I've had friends before who miscalculated and got there after dark when its difficult to see the views :)

I would squeeze in at least one hike in your itinerary. I would suggest the Mist Trail which provides fabulous views. This would take about 2 to 3 hours, depending on how you pace yourself, but it is so rewarding. If you guys could wake up earlier the next day, this would be a wonderful start to your day.

After the hike, I would suggest going to the High Country. A drive through Tioga Road is unforgettable (I would not want to be the driver, though, hehe. I would not want to miss the breathtaking scenery). You will mass through beautiful meadows, lovely lakes, massive granite structures - ah just breathtaking. If you had more time, it would be great to explore this wonderful area, but with limited time, a drive would have to do ;) This could also be a nice way to end your Yosemite trip :)

Enjoy your trip! Maybe plan a longer one next time? :)

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Big Oak Flat Road, from Crane Flat to Yosemite Valley, is a road largely ignored by most visitors. Many enter via this route, but take little time to stop at roadside turnouts and instead head straight for the valley. It is true that there is much less to see (and the scenery is less grand) here than just about anywhere else in the park, but you can still take your time and enjoy the road. From Yosemite Valley, Big Oak Flat Road climbs up the canyon walls, passing through a series of tunnels to the Cascades, where you can view the Cascade Creek Falls; further on, you'll come to a good viewpoint at Valley Portal, where you can see Elephant Rock, the Merced River, Sentinel Dome, Cathedral Spires, and Bridalveil Fall. After this viewpoint, you'll pass through a rather long tunnel to reach the next viewpoint, where you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, and Sentinel Dome. From there, the road winds around a ridge away from Yosemite Valley towards the foothills; for a while, the road provides a good view of a burnt forest. Then you'll come to the Big Meadow Overlook, which allows a view through trees to Big Meadow, which signs at the turnout say is being enroached upon by forest. From there, the road winds its way to Crane Flat, where there is a gas station, a general store, and the Crane Flat Meadow.

If you were to continue about a mile past Crane Flat on Hway 120 west, you'd pass a closed gate for the Crane Flat Fire Lookout. Which brings up a question... my 2003 edition of the Lonely Planet guide to Yosemite states that you can drive this road 2.3 miles to a parking area and walk a bit to the fire lookout, where there are good views of the Clark Range. Interestingly, when I asked a park employee at the Crane Flat gas station about the lookout, he said it was closed to the public; is anyone able to clarify this discrepancy?

Downstream on the Tuolumne River from the fairly unknown Hetch Hetchy Valley is an even more unknown valley: Poopenaut Valley, a gorge carved out by the Tuolumne River and resembling the lower reaches of Kings Canyon. The scenery here is dry and granite, though a meadow at the valley floor does create a little green. This valley is best viewed from an unnamed, unsigned, and unmarked turnout on the Hetch Hetchy Road; Lonely Planet identified the overlook as the Poopenaut Valley Overlook. Looking east, you can also see the O'Shaughnessy Dam and Tueeulala and Wapama Falls. The scenery may be more foothill than alpine, but it is still attractive in its own right.

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Yosemite was, and is, a wonderful place for me to take my daughter (not to mention taking myself and my wife ;O)), got to show her some wild places and also a few things up close and personal. It is great letting your imagination try to decipher what you can see in a closeup of pine bark, it looks like a moon setting perhaps. IOr just looking up and wondering how in the world did that tree EVER manage to grow and survive in the middle of a sheer granite wall...or even just to take your time and enjoy the view away from the crowds, and yes to your question, it IS POSSIBLE to find a quiet corner in Yosemite, even in the height of the tourist season.

As far as views go, Valley Portal is not the best. But it is very beautiful and very accessible. Just off Hwy 120 (Big Oak Flat Road), you can take in a view of the Merced River Canyon, giant Elephant Rock, Cascade Falls, and Cathedral Spires towering over Bridalveil Fall. Notice how this area, which has been less glaciated than Yosemite Valley, is more V-shaped contrasting to Yosemite Valley's U-shaped evidence of glaciation. This viewpoint is best visited in the afternoon.

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Valley View, at the west end of Yosemite Valley, is the twin viewpoint to Tunnel View. Although you can't see such an amazing array of famous granite landmarks from here, the Merced River flowing in front of the whole scene still makes it very beautiful. The three most dominant features here are El Capitan, Cathedral Spires, and Bridalveil Fall; you can see Half Dome's tip pointing out slightly above the forest. The Sentinel is also slightly visible. This viewpoint is best in late afternoon. Enlargen my photo for a panoramic view.

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Sentinel Bridge is one of the best places to view a Yosemite sunset. This bridge has been rebuilt many times since the beginning of tourism in Yosemite. Earlier bridges constricted the river and damaged habitats downstream; the current Sentinel Bridge was built in 1993. From the bridge, there is a wonderful view of Half Dome (Tissiack) rising above the Merced River. At summer solstice, the sun sets in Yosemite at 8:30; be sure to catch a beautiful sunset there. You probably won't be alone; on most nights, you'll be accompanied by plenty of other tourists and photographers. Looking north from the bridge, you'll see a perfect view of Yosemite Falls and Cook Meadow.

From the junction with the Glacier Point Road, Wawona Road (Hwy 41) begins its descent into Yosemite Valley. At first, the road allows views of the foothills and Turtleback Dome; eventually, it comes around a ridge and a large view of some Yosemite landmarks appear. From a long viewpoint on the north side of the road, you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, and Sentinel Dome. Past the viewpoint, the road continues descending, eventually entering the long Wawona Tunnel.