northwest destination
California’s Crown Jewel Yosemite National Park has all the makings for outdoor adventure written by Sheila G. Miller
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Sweeping vistas are just one draw at Yosemite National Park. Mariposa Grove features Giant Sequoias. The Majestic Yosemite Hotel was built in the 1920s.
YOU’VE SEEN ANSEL ADAMS’ black-and-white photos. It’s time to bring those views to life. Yosemite National Park is one of those must-sees on the long list of the U.S.’s glories. At 1,200 square miles, it’ll take more than one trip (or two or three or four) to see it all, but you’ve got to start somewhere, the sooner the better. The national park, established in 1890, is in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, a little less than three hours southeast of Sacramento (and closer to Fresno and Merced). It feels a world away from the central valley towns closest to it, thanks to jaw-dropping rock formations, waterfalls and meadows that stand out along each curve in the road. Yosemite is the third oldest national park in the United States, the result of naturalist John Muir and others lobbying Congress to protect it from grazing animals and other encroachment. More than 3 million people travel to Yosemite National Park each year, so be prepared for some crowds. But you can get 84 1889 WASHINGTON’S MAGAZINE
APRIL | MAY 2019
a bit off the beaten path and find nature and solitude. April through October is the most popular time to visit, though the park is open and mostly accessible—some roads will be closed due to snow—during winter. To get started, you may want to stop into the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center to get more information from rangers. From there, it’s a real game of Choose Your Own Adventure. If it’s beautiful views you seek, you have many options. Yosemite Valley is home to many famous views, though you should be prepared for traffic. The Tunnel View includes a photo-ready vista of El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls and Half Dome in the background. Or head up Glacier Point Road to get a sweeping view of the valley and Half Dome. For some serious waterfall-viewing, go in the spring during snow runoff. At more than 2,400 feet, Yosemite Falls can be seen from a variety of locations throughout the park. There are many other waterfalls throughout the park worth checking out.
