For this special question I called in the help of Trail Guru Jon Shannon, author of the Yosemite Trails DVD.
Reader Tom writes:
My wife, kids, and I plan to visit Yosemite this month. With kids ages 6, 10, and 12, we had planned to spend the majority of time in the valley and also visit the tree Grove. It sounds like the overlook roads will be closed for some time. Are there any “don’t miss” trails and sights that you would recommend for kids to see?
Here’s Jon’s reply
You’ve picked one of the best times to visit Yosemite, Tom. The waterfalls will still be running full, the Valley will be lush and green, and you won’t find Yosemite as crowded as it gets during summer.
There are six trails that I would recommend you take a look at. I can recommend four of them without reservation, while the other two depend a lot on your children, particularly the six year old. The first four are 1) Bridalveil Fall 2) Lower Yosemite Fall 3) Mirror Lake and 4) Yosemite Valley Half Loop trail. 1 & 2 are 1/2 mile round trip each, Mirror Lake is two miles round trip and the Half Loop trail is about 6 1/2 miles (though you don’t need to do the entire trail). All of these trails are relatively level.
The other two are 1) Vernal Falls and 2) a portion of the 4 Mile Trail. Vernal Falls is 2 1/2 miles round trip and has a 1,050′ elevation gain. I think that every visitor who is fit enough to do this hike should not miss doing so. The 4 Mile Trail leads to Glacier Point, but the Point is still closed off due to snow. However, the trail itself is very rewarding (fine vistas begin early in the hike) and it would be a good trail to simply follow as far as you want to go before turning around.
I have produced a DVD hiking guide that includes all of these trails and others. Sometimes the best way to decide which trail(s) you want/are able to spend your time on is to see them beforehand, and that’s what this DVD allows. Anyone who orders the DVD and mentions Loyd (YosemiteBlog) in the “How did you hear about us?” section of checkout will recieve a free Yosemite Valley Map & Guide ($2.50 value). The DVD, Yosemite maps and books are found at www.YosemiteTrailsDVD.com
I hope you and your family have a great Yosemite experience. Happy Trails!
Jon Shannon
Good luck Tom! Hope ya’ have a great trip! And you heard Jon, Anyone who orders the DVD and mentions Loyd (YosemiteBlog) in the “How did you hear about us?” section of checkout will recieve a free Yosemite Valley Map & Guide ($2.50 value). For more information go to www.YosemiteTrailsDVD.com
Comments
One response to “What Not To Miss?”
Hi Jon. Thanks for doing this blog. I will be visiting Yosemite the first week of June and I was wondering if we can drive up the 120 (Tioga Rd) from Crane Flat, and if so, how far do you think we can go before we have to turn back? I assume that the road won’t be completely open for at least another month, so any travel on the road from the Valley would be better than none at all. Thanks!