OK, I’ll admit it. I’ve never been there and I’ve lived in California for 21 years. Going to remedy that in a number of weeks and go for a couple of days when my dad is out here visiting.
So, it’s a big park, yes? Where to go specifically and what to do?
Keep in mind that I will be with my dad (78 yo but in pretty good shape). He’d be up for some short hikes. Or renting a bike for a short ride (10 miles). Or a bus/auto tour. No mountain or rock climbing or crazy strenuous stuff. He likes driving around and looking at stuff (not my thing, but it’s about him).
Yes, Yosemite is a big park and there is a lot to do and see there. Where you are very lucky is that the National Parks are very user friendly and you can easily see the main attractions very easily. They will have paved or woodchipped trails to walk on, and probably have good tour busses to the sights. I think you will find it to be very accessible for all activity levels, so you and your Dad will be fine.
Spent many summers at my grandparents in Ahwahnee (just below Yosemite) and have great memories of many trips into the park. Remember the Firefalls vividly (but they were cancelled by NPS in about 69 or so).
If you’ve never been into Yosemite Valley it is a must see–but it will be crowded. Go at mid-week if you can. Tent camp, or stay at Camp Curry and do day hikes such as Yosemite Falls and Bridalvale Falls. Use your bike and the bus while in the Valley. It is soo amazingly beautiful. It is also very very crowded on summer weekends.
As mentioned, drive up to Tuoluumne Meadows and camp there. Mucho less people. Tent camping sites at Tuolumne Meadows proper, or the Tent Cabins at Tuolumne “Lodge” are great. If you go to NPS Yosemite website you can find camping spots open up due to last minute cancellations–and up at Tuolumne Meadows the NPS only allows 50% of camping sites to be reserved online; they hold the other 50% for first come first serve each day. But you gotta get there fairly early in the a.m. and it helps to go Mid-week. Tons of day hikes out of Tuolomne Meadows. Sunrise Camp, Clouds Rest, Leyell Canyon. Very cold at nite even in the summer so bring a down or synthetic sleeping bag.
My wife and I will be backpacking out of Tuolumne Medows 31JUL-5AUG. I told her that there was no need to bring any food as we would live off of the all the trout I was gonna catch. She knows my fly fishing skills are extremely rusty–so it looks like I’ll be carrying a bunch of chow in our bear container We’re gonna hike south down Leyell Canyon and work out way out of the park and into the John Muir Wilderness Area around 1000 Island Lake and then back. One of my goals since coming back from Iraq was to share this experience with my wife and I am very excited about it. We fly to S.F. on FRI nite.
Its been about ten years but I remember going to the Mariposa Groves? to see the giant trees (Sequoias or Redwoods or both). I remember getting there as soon as the park opened and walked the trails prior to the tour buses coming in. Its an easy walk and your dad could do it. We had the whole place to ourselves and it was awesome. Drive to up to Glacier Point also…best view around. If he is feeling really good, take him up Half Dome or climb El Cap…kidding
Have fun.
I just took my family (wife, 3 daughters, 81 y/o dad and 76 y/o mom). We did the grand tour, which leaves from the Grey line on Embarcadero. It includes transportation to and from, a two night stay at one of the hotels and a full day tour of the valley floor, glacier point and the giant sequoia’s in Mariposa Grove. You will have time get around on your own on the first and last day and will be on the tour for the full day and day 2. My family was very happy with it.
With a 78 year old parent you’re linited to the valley which caters very well to seniors, Tuolomne if he doesn;t mind the altitude. Tioga Pass is about 10,000 feet…suprised you’ve never done that ride, and Glacier Point which is about an hour drive
If your dad can walk a mile or so you should go to Mariposa Grove. Awesome Sequoia trees…you won’t believe how big they are until you see them.
I shot these from the valley floor last summer Cathy. All from the car or a few minutes’ walk. I have many more from higher up, but these particular views are all readily accessible. A great outing for an older parent. It may be a bit crowded but there’s plenty to see and all of it is stunning.
The Famous El Capitan
Bridal Veil Falls
Half Dome from the coffee shop in Curry Village
Yosemite Falls with the iconic dead tree
Half Dome at sunset
It will be great.
Things to keep in mind:
Hike times shown at the traillheads are probably pretty accurate for your dad. They seem to have been established for the average 1950’s chain smoking sedentary middle manager back when the Park Service was coming into its own. So if he’s 78 and strong you should be good. Get a guidebook at the gate and believe what it tells you in terms of difficulty and time involved for a hearty 78 year-old.
There is gas available in the park, but, God help you, fill up before you get there.
This will be highly memorable for your dad. Honor the time it takes him to soak it up.
Not to sound like a broken record, but I highly recommend heading up to Tioga Pass. It will be a long drive (1-2 hours depending on traffic if I recall correctly) from where you’re staying in Mariposa, but well worth it. The meadow area up there was one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. Also, not near as crowded as the other areas which is nice. In fact, it’s almost like that area is a seperate park given the lack of people that go there. You can easily take your Dad with you on a short hike in the meadow.
Obviously the redwoods in Mariposa are amazing and that area, as well as the canyon area will be easy to get around with your father. El Cap and Half Dome are amazing in different light so try and make sure you see them early in the morning or at sunset. Full moon would be cool, but I’m not sure if you’ll be there for that. Enjoy and post some pictures when you get back.
We’re gonna hike south down Leyell Canyon and work out way out of the park and into the John Muir Wilderness Area around 1000 Island Lake and then back. One of my goals since coming back from Iraq was to share this experience with my wife and I am very excited about it. We fly to S.F. on FRI nite.
