by AlmostThere » Sat Mar 05, 2011 8:09 am
I'm surprised, because if there is one question we see all the time, it's what are the best things to do when we get there, or what not to miss.
When you say "light hiking" do you mean a couple miles on the flat, or a couple miles up a hill, or ten miles??? My "light hiking" is about 6-7 miles, I know people who think a ten miler is nothing at all.
Any of the trails out of the valley will give you views. Some of them will give you elbow to elbow tourists - but the mist trail is a must do for first time Yosemite goers. All of the trails will be uphill and then all down going back. I would spend however much time as you want in the valley - Tioga Pass may or may not be open, Glacier Point Rd may open in late May or early June. Taking free shuttles around the parts of the park that are accessible - the valley, Wawona, Mariposa Grove of Sequoias - will get you around. There are trails to walk in all three locations. Chilnualna Falls is a steady uphill to the top but great views and a real close up look at a series of waterfalls that a lot of people don't see. You could easily spend a week just walking trails - Upper Yosemite Falls one day, Mist Trail another, Chilnualna Falls out of Wawona, Mariposa Grove, a walk around the valley floor with side trips to Bridalveil Falls and anything else that strikes your fancy including watching the climbers on the face of El Capitan.... Visit the Ansel Adams gallery/shop, the museum, the visitor center, go over to Yosemite Village and have a drink near the fire while watching Yosemite Falls.... there are all kinds of things to do once you're there.