Our Visit to Yosemite, California
The second leg of our honeymoon saw us driving from San Francisco to Yosemite, which was one of the my favourites part of our entire USA road trip, and you'll see why. We spend two days and one night in Yosemite, so we really did our best to make the most of our time there.
Day one was very much needed as we hiked to see the giant sequoias - a relief given that we had been sat down for nearly four hours while we travelled there. Day two was spent in the valley, which was also lovely as we saw many of the famous rock formations and waterfalls that adorn the entirety of Yosemite. Let me tell you what our visit to Yosemite entailed - you may find it useful if you're looking to visit there yourself.
Day one: hiking up to the giant sequoias
As soon was we arrived, after a four hour drive from San Francisco, we hopped out of the car and hiked 2 miles to see the giant sequoia trees. However, even once we arrived at the site, it was a further mile to some of the most notable giant sequoias that Yosemite has to offer. From the Grizzly Giant to California Tunnel, it was most definitely worth the 3 mile walk to get there in the first place.
It was one of the most gorgeous walks I think I have ever gone on, as we trailed up through the trees. Around every corner there was an amazing view to stop and look at. The higher we went, the more incredible the experience got. The walk there was most definitely exceptional - one that I'd greatly go on again in a heartbeat.
We arrived at the Grizzly Giant, which is the one you can see below. The picture doesn't do its size any justice. To give you some perspective, one of its branches are the same size as a normal tree. Its trunk is enormous.
But don't let the picture fool you. There isn't a tunnel that goes through this one. California Tunnel is the tree that you used to be able to drive through, and it sits 0.3 miles away from this one.
We went over to the California Tunnel tree and were not only taken aback by the fact that the tunnel was carved out during the Victorian times by humans, but that people had taken it upon themselves to actually carved their names and words into the wood as well, which is greatly harming the tree.
However, it has shown signs of healing itself. Right at the top of the carved out tunnel, you may notice a small film that's grown at the top. That's the tree trying to close the gap that was carved into it over one hundred years ago - how clever!
It was then getting dark, so we decided to start heading back down to the car. It was nearer 4 miles back to the car from the California Tunnel, which took even longer because went back through the forest. It took us about 45 minutes to get back to the car park on foot.
There's usually a bus that runs, but because of snow and ice warnings, it wasn't running, hence why we had to walk. It worked out as a nearly 7 mile-round trip by the time we had finished, but it was totally worth it just to see those giant beasts.
Day two: Yosemite Valley
We had a lovely night's sleep at the Yosemite lodge and were up bright and early to go on our Yosemite Valley tour. It took as around much of the valley, stopping off at the impressive El Capitan, Bridal Veil Falls, Half Dome and Tunnel View, along with some other sights along the way.
The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and imparted lots of information that I wouldn't have known about otherwise, not even if you read about it online. Most of her knowledge came from the experience of living and working there for the last four years.
Not to mention, we also stopped at rushing rivers and caught a glimpse of Horse Tail Falls, which does exactly what it says on the tin - a waterfall runs down the cliff face that is long and thin, like that of a horse tail.
Once the tour had finished, we went and took a walk to Yosemite Falls. It wasn't too far away, about 3km, if that. That was a wonderful experience and it can only ever be viewed at certain times of the year. Yosemite Falls, like many of the waterfalls there, are only fed by the snow that melts from the mountains, hence why spring is the best time to go and visit Yosemite.
Yosemite Falls was gushing, however. There were thousands of gallons of water falling per second, and it was feeding the most clear river I have ever seen. We then walked through and followed the trail round to Yosemite Village and to the gift shop, of course.
While we were there, lunchtime has struck, so we stopped for a sandwich and a drink in the village before waking back to the car and onto our next stop over before heading into Vegas. So what did I think to Yosemite? The whole experience was like no other and the place itself now has a very special place in my heart. It's somewhere I'd go back tomorrow if I could.
Yosemite is somewhere I would recommend everyone to go, just to experience it, no matter what time of year you go. It was definitely a standout place for me, being so humbling. It made you realise that the human race really is quite insignificant in comparison to nature.
When you look at the giant sequoias, it reminds you that there was life before you and there'll be life after you, but that those trees have been standing there for generation after generation, with the Grizzly Giant being older than the pyramids. That puts in perspective for you.
The human race is nothing but a speck in time and these great natural monuments, I am convinced, will still be here after humans are gone. Go and visit Yosemite and do as much as possible, because it's truly incredible.
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I hope you enjoyed this blog post? Have you ever been to Yosemite? Are you looking to visit there any time soon? Let me know in the comments below and I will see you again with some brand new content very soon!
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