Summer Magic in Yosemite    

Without a doubt, Yosemite National Park is one of California’s most beautiful and diverse natural areas, with many ways to experience this amazing place. I have visited Yosemite many times, and after a long absence, I was especially glad to return to this wonderful park early this summer.

To avoid summer traffic snarls, save money on high gas prices, and watch the scenery--instead of watching the road--YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) is a good alternative to driving into the park. Comfortable coaches make stops beginning in Merced on Highway 140 along the route to Yosemite Valley. During summer, it also operates from gateway communities along Highway 120 East, a very popular route with high-country hikers.

We began our YARTS journey in Merced after staying at the comfortable Quality Inn, however, an unfortunate rockslide on Highway 140 changed our route. We made a detour and traveled north through Oakhurst, past Fish Camp. On the plus side, our driver made the ride entertaining by narrating our trip and calling attention to points of interest along the way. Our bus was full, with a tour group from Sacramento, several rock climbers, and other Yosemite visitors. After a couple of hours talking to the interesting tour guide sitting next to me, we arrived at Yosemite’s gates.       

Thousands of years ago, glaciers transformed the rolling hillsides and streams of Yosemite into the dramatic landscape we see today. After driving through Wawona Tunnel, we passed Tunnel View, one of the most photographed vistas in the world. The amazing work of glaciers is very apparent with breathtaking views of El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks and Bridalveil Falls.

Yosemite’s waterfalls are plentiful, cascading over towering cliffs, and waterfalls from snowmelt in the Sierra high country, with peak runoff in late May and early June. Due to a copious amount of snowmelt this season, river levels were up, and waterfalls were running at full force. Upon our arrival at Yosemite Lodge, we made our way to Yosemite Falls, where we saw impressive views along the path leading to the base; and even from a distance, I could feel the mist. As we approached the Lower Falls viewpoint, the wind picked up, giving us a sense of the forces of nature; you couldn’t stand at the bridge viewpoint without getting wet. This dramatic waterfall, the fifth highest in the world, is often reduced to a trickle in August.

We then made our way across the Valley, along with our dog, Chiquita, and honored Yosemite’s rules to keep pets on bike paths and other paved roads. The late-afternoon light lent itself to some great photo opportunities, including granite rocks reflecting in the sun’s afterglow. At day’s end, we didn’t want to leave this idyllic place. Our time in Yosemite was much too brief.  John Muir reportedly shouted for joy when he first saw Yosemite, and whenever I visit this beautiful park, I feel the same way.