Yosemite Valley in Fall

 

 Yosemite Valley draped in Fall colours


We finally made it to Yosemite Valley for an overnight trip, inspired no doubt by the indelible photos of Ansel Adams featured in the National Geographic magazine. With the recent rains and splendid Fall weather, it was everything one could hope for and more ...

Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space
 ~ Ansel Adams

Road into Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley in Yosemite National Park located in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of Central California. 

Yosemite valley is encased in impressive granite monoliths (Half Dome and El Capitan being the two most iconic) - making for some of the most spectacular and challenging rock climbing faces in the world !!
The Valley floor features the gentle Merced river (aka River of Mercy) winding its way through dense pine forests. 

Yosemite falls (actually 3 separate falls) drops a total of 2,425 feet (739 m) from the top to the base. It is the tallest waterfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California
All this adds up to a nature lover's paradise, which one can enjoy using the 13 mile walking trail that loops through heavenly pastures graced by white tail deer. There is also a bike path.




So if you're planning a trip here are some things to keep in mind ...
  1. Avoid school breaks and weekends, since it gets very crowded.
  2. Stay overnight at one of the many lodges within the park, or if you're on a budget check out accommodation in nearby towns like Mariposa, Groveland, Oakhurst or El Portal, about an hours drive away.
  3. Private vehicles need a pass to gain entry to all National Parks. You can buy one for the Yosemite area at the park entrance (good for 7 days). For more details visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm 
  4. To catch Yosemite in Fall colours go late October or early November after rains. Alternately early Spring, late February or early March, is also a good time after the snow melt to see the Waterfalls in all their glory. You can't go too wrong visiting at any time of the year. Some roads are closed during winter.
The great rocks of Yosemite, expressing qualities of timeless yet intimate grandeur, are the most compelling formations of their kind. We should not casually pass them by, for they are the very heart of the earth speaking to us. — Ansel Adams

Don't forget to leave a comment of your favourite trip !!
Location: Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA

Comments

  1. Rita ANovember 18, 2021 at 1:41 PM

    Very interesting description. Beautiful pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  2. RohiniNovember 18, 2021 at 1:47 PM

    Great write up and lovely pics Kieran. Wonderful start up to your blog- look forward to more. . This is the nudge I need to start mine.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Captain Anil Gonsalves (IN, Retd)November 18, 2021 at 4:36 PM

    Very nicely done. Now we can look forward to your adventures in one place

    ReplyDelete
  4. PeekayJanuary 11, 2022 at 9:10 AM

    I was fortunate enough to visit Yosemite NP in 2016, when my sister and I took a road trip through California, Utah and Arizona. The sheer vastness of the Park took my breath away. The pictures included with you blog revived many happy memories. Thanks

    ReplyDelete

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