One of the highlights of our three week California road trip was the time we spent in Yosemite National Park. Submerging ourselves in nature was a nice way to spend a couple of days. Especially after the hustle and bustle of San Fransisco and before we continued our journey to Los Angles. We hiked a lot in Yosemite, it was the perfect way to take in all of the beautiful scenery. There are of course a number of things to consider when hiking in Yosemite. Here we look at some of the key ones you should think about before taking the trip.
Opt For The Best Time of Year
The peak summer months of July and August are extremely busy at Yosemite National Park. People from all over the world flocking to see its beauty. Approximately 1.2 million people visit in those two months alone. Therefore, a lot of the roads and trails in the park can become very congested. This may not be ideal for you if you want to experience what Yosemite has to offer without contending with crowds. We visited in June and already crowds were forming, especially in the more popular areas of the park.
Therefore, if you are able to be flexible, why not visit earlier in the year? April sees less than half the visitors the summer months do. Therefore roads and trails are less busy making conditions for hiking in Yosemite perfect. If you visit during the spring months, especially between mid and late April, it is likely you will witness the winter snow melting and the park bursting into colour because of the pleasant spring temperatures.
Choose Your Hike(s) Wisely
If you are visiting Yosemite National Park for the first time, the likelihood is you will head to Yosemite Valley. We did. However, it’s important to note that Yosemite Valley only makes up approximately 1% of the national park. If you are not an experienced hiker or would simply prefer to hike closer to populated areas, then Yosemite Valley is probably your best option. With easy trails including Bridalveil Fall Trail, Lower Yosemite Fall Trail and Cook’s Meadow Loop through to strenuous trails including Snow Creek Trail, Four Mile Trail and Half Dome Trail.
We chose to stick with the Valley as it was our first visit. However, when we return we will explore more of what the park has to offer. If you are an experienced hiker or someone who fully wants to get off the beaten track, the other 95% of Yosemite National Park is for you. Here you will find thousands of miles of trails that are perfect for wilderness hiking. Both for overnight or longer adventures. If you do plan an overnight or longer hike you must apply for a wilderness permit. You should apply in advance of your visit. Permits are only issued to a limited number of people for each trailhead. Some permits can be issued on the day on a first-come, first-served basis.
Choose The Right Bag
Depending on the length and intensity of your hike will influence the bag that you need. Therefore, do your research before opting for any old bag. You will want to submerge yourself fully in your surroundings and not have to worry about blisters shoulders or a sore back. Obviously the longer you hike the more equipment you will need and therefore the bigger bag you will need. Try to pack as light as possible and ensure you have some shorter practice hikes/walks to ensure that it will be comfortable when hiking in Yosemite.
If you are only planning on a day hike as we did, you will need less equipment. Therefore a smaller bag. However, it still needs to be comfortable. We made the mistake of using a popular Swedish-made backpack (you know the ones – come in loads of different colours, more a fashion backpack than a practical one) with absolutely no shoulder padding at all. The heat and the lack of padding quickly became a problem. Luckily we only had one back between the two of us and we could take turns in wearing it. Following our trip to Yosemite, we quickly bought a padded Vango daysack which has never caused any problems.
Don’t Forget Your Camera
We all like to ‘live in the moment’ and ‘create memories’. However, it’s also important for many to capture them too. This could be for your own use, maybe to look back on your trip in years to come. Or perhaps to share on social media so your friends/family/followers can see where you have been and what you have been doing. If this sounds like you, it is vital that you don’t forget your camera when visiting Yosemite. The scenery is phenomenal and it is the perfect place to capture some beautiful and unique shots whilst hiking.
From the majestic mountains to the breathtaking waterfalls and not forgetting the giant Sequoia forests (in Mariposa, Tuolumne and Merced Groves) wild meadows and of course animals, Yosemite National Park is a photographers dream come true. Depending on the time of day and the season in which you visit will influence the shots you get. But it’s safe to safe that regardless of time or season the photos you take will be fantastic. They will be great momentos to look back on in years to come and perfect for sharing on social (if that’s your thing).
We hope these tips help if you plan on hiking in Yosemite.
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