Yosemite In A Day: Mission Accepted

Measuring up at 1,200 square miles with an elevation range of 11,000 feet, Yosemite National Park would seem impossible to visit in a single day. Indeed, adopting a slow travel approach makes the most sense as visitors can feel the High Country breeze and sun-kissed Valley granite in equal measure. 

But let’s face it — not all of us have time for immersive travel. For this reason, and because Yosemite’s mood-lifting beauty is love at first sight, we’ve come up with a few Yosemite In A Day scenarios to help achieve your mountain mission.

Before You Begin

To experience Yosemite in one day you’ll want a full sunrise-to-moonrise day of exploration.  The good news is that early risers are rewarded with more solitude and golden reflections off rare granite, while sunsets give way to serene and sparkling night skies far from the commotion of urban hubs.

So how to achieve this brimming day of beauty? By staying the night before/after your outing in one of Yosemite Mariposa County’s gateway towns. Accommodations abound along Highway 140 from the historic Gold Rush town of Mariposa all the way up to Yosemite’s Arch Rock Entrance (the closest to Yosemite Valley), or by staying in Fish Camp (just 2 miles from the Park’s South Entrance) which provides unrivaled access to all the attractions of Southern Yosemite.

By staying the night before, you can grab a breakfast to-go and beat the rush entering the Park. By staying the night after, you can find a lively dinner table and recount the sights, then return to your comfy accommodations with the meditative vibe of Yosemite as the soundtrack to your dreams.

Option One: The Valley Calls

The wellspring of Yosemite’s mystique is without a doubt Yosemite Valley.  Its rim is like a curtain rod where iconic waterfalls unfurl over polished granite walls, while its unique rock formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome are the stuff of legend. 

Those who rally for an early visit will be rewarded with birdsong echoing off granite, not to mention a jump on the tour busses that arrive later in the day. And there’s just a single loop road that spans Yosemite Valley’s 7 miles so you’re always close to the action whether that’s a trailhead, museum or restaurant.

When to Visit: Yosemite Valley is easily accessed year-round. From bursting spring waterfalls to the moody colors of autumn, and energetic summers to winter’s monochrome serenity, each season brings out a unique vibe.

Don’t Miss:  The encompassing, enthralling and wonderfully enigmatic panorama of Yosemite Valley as seen from Tunnel View. This is the perfect spot to behold the sun rising over Half Dome as you start your day, or an unforgettable vantage to witness sunsets as they bring El Capitan’s rugged mug to life.

Side Hike:  Take the first section of the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail to Columbia Rock for a sweeping view of the Park’s signature cascade as well as other Valley icons such as Half Dome and Sentinel Rock.  Note:  This is a short but strenuous hike — 2 miles out & back with 1,000 ft of switchbacks on the way up.

Extra Credit: Linger after dark in El Capitan meadow for some unobstructed Sierra stargazing and follow the headlamps of rock climbers on El Cap’s massive granite wall!

Option Two: Glaciers & Giants

This Yosemite In A Day tour sets its sights on the Glacier Point Road and Southern Yosemite regions of the Park, where a rival vista point and an ancient forest reign supreme. Here, your view of Yosemite Valley is from a heavenly high, and it will give you enough time to enjoy more of what the Park has to offer.

The 16-mile drive along Glacier Point Road climbs above Yosemite Valley’s south rim through sections of meadow and forest until reaching an end point that’s just the beginning — Glacier Point.  This historic vista has million dollar views for what seems like a million miles across Yosemite’s high country, while Half Dome feels so close you could reach out and touch it. Sunrises and sunsets here reveal a grandeur as impressive as Tunnel View, and by arriving early or visiting late you’ll avoid the tours and have more elbow room.  

Whether you begin or end your day here, getting “good lost” in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is pure forest meditation.  Perspectives broaden as you stand beneath such behemoths as the 285-foot Columbia Tree and consider that these arboreal wonders were around during the first Olympic Games in ancient Greece. With trails of varying distances throughout the Grove, you can tailor a hike to your schedule.

When to Visit: Glacier Point Road is typically open from May through November, weather permitting. Mariposa Grove is open year-round but the shuttle from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Center typically runs from late May through November (check status of both).

Don’t Miss: The California Tunnel Tree in Mariposa Grove, a testament to nature’s resilience and a reminder that we should always strive to be better stewards of our wild lands.

Side Hike:  The 2.2 miles out & back Sentinel Dome Trail along Glacier Point Road easily crests one of Yosemite’s signature rock extrusions for 360 degree views. Pro Tip: Allow 2 hours and do this hike early or late in the day — trailhead parking fills up quickly.

Extra Credit: Stop in Wawona and explore the free outdoor exhibits at the Yosemite History Center. The Park’s fascinating past comes to life with such original buildings as Yosemite painter Chris Jorgensen’s artist studio, and the Chinese Laundry where you can learn about the early contributions of Asian-American community.

Option Three: Rise to the Challenge

In Northern Yosemite, there’s a breathtaking reveal around every turn as you climb Tioga Road/Hwy 120 towards 10,000 foot Tioga Pass.  Entire mountainsides of bare granite tilt towards crystalline watersheds, while wayward herds of pine gather beneath craggy peaks that brush up against the clouds. Yes, it’s a long drive (thus the “challenge”) but the payoff is worth every mile.

Along the way you’ll find Tenaya Lake with its pristine blue waters framed by a gauntlet of the aforementioned granite.  Wading in or even swimming (brrrr!), kayaking and, yes, sunbathing on the sandy beach at its northeast end are all in play. Consider a picnic — food services are limited (Tuolumne Meadows Lodge) but the dramatic backdrop is fit for the foodiest of lunches.

Just six miles east of Tenaya Lake sits Tuolumne Meadows, its river-carved expanse a throwback to when dinosaurs roamed the earth. The grasslands here are like nature’s mood ring — green in early summer turning to goldenrod by fall. There are a number of areas where you can stretch your legs, including a section of the legendary 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail which crosses Tioga Rd at the Glen Aulin trailhead.

When to Visit: When Tioga Road opens for the season (typically late May/early June through mid November).  Be sure to check road status before heading up.

Don’t Miss: Check out the “erratic boulders” and less-common view of Half Dome framed by Tenaya Canyon from the roadside Olmsted Point overlook on Tioga Road.

Side Hike: From either end of the lake explore the Tenaya Lake Trail where the forest comes down to the water’s edge at the base of 10,266 ft Tenaya Peak.

Extra Credit: Grove hopping is a favorite Yosemite pastime, so consider the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias located just one mile from the intersection of Hwy 120 and Big Oak Flat Road.

Option Four: Hetch Hetchy, You Betcha

With dramatic cliffs plunging into pristine snowmelt, a killer waterfall hike and a view-laden stroll along the dam, it’s surprising how few people have visited Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Kolana Rock conjures up visions of the pali cliffs on Kauai’s north shore, while the wooden footbridges on the Wapama Fall Trail seem the perfect home for Sierra mountain trolls (the friendly kind who don’t mind waterfall mist). 

For those who prefer an easy saunter, walk along the O’Shaughnessy Dam and read the informational placards perched above the roaring Tuolumne River Canyon. Note: Because Hetch Hetchy is the water source for San Francisco, water activities (other than shore fishing from certain spots) are not allowed. But rest assured the surrounding environs are impressive enough to make this a day trip to remember!

When to Visit: Year-round from sunrise to sunset, with occasional temporary closures for winter ice/snow (check road status). There are no services or overnight stays in Hetch Hetchy, but plenty of surrounding accommodations in Yosemite Mariposa County.

Don’t Miss: Snapping some moody silhouette photos in the 500-foot rough-hewn tunnel just past the dam on the Wapama Fall Trail.

Side Hike:  Located on the boundary of Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest, year-round Carlon Falls Trail is a bit of secret. The trailhead is located 2 miles east of Hwy 120 on Evergreen Road, and the hike is 2.9 miles out & back with modest elevation gain.

Extra Credit: Visit the hidden enclave of Foresta on your way back to Highway 140, then finish your day in historic Mariposa with dinner, drinks and maybe some live music.

Mission Complete

Yosemite is a bastion of fascinating history, rare geology and unrivaled beauty.  It’s also pretty damn big. Fortunately, you can meet the challenge and experience a full day in the Park by staying the night before and after in one of its gateway towns. Here you can find a range of accommodations, not to mention delicious food and plenty of things to do. If you prefer the luxury of a slower pace, then multi-day itineraries are also an option. Whatever path you choose, rest assured that Mariposa County’s lively spirit and friendly vibe are always “the way home.”