I always find a lot of value in recommendations from this group. Taking the family to California the week of the 4th of July. The trip will include two full days at Yosemite. What are some recommendations from you who have been?

Download one of the driving apps, I used Gypsy. Will be like your personal tour guide.

If the waterfalls are still flowing, definitely stop for Yosemite Falls and then hit the Mist Trail and Vernal Falls at some point.

Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point are a must. Driving/cycling around the Valley floor and stopping to take in views is worthwhile, too.

If anyone is climbing El Cap, there is usually a support crew in the meadow watching them with scopes and will let you peek in on them. Often times there is a climbing ranger answering questions. It may be too hot in July to climb though. That said, if there are climbers in your family, Yosemite Climbing School will take you out on some guided climbs in the shaded areas of Camp 4.

Mirror Lake is a nice trail early in the morning when the water is still.

If Tuolumne Meadows is open, I'd spend an afternoon up there and have a picnic dinner.

Stargazing is nice there. Sometimes the rangers will lead a talk.

Yosemite will be crowded all summer so arrive early before the entrance booth opens to avoid long lines. Also start early and stay out late.

Where are you staying?

Thanks for sharing. Staying at Yosemite View Lodge.

My report from when we went in April a few years ago.

https://texags.com/forums/54/topics/3455334

Here's my inital plan from 2 days in Yosemite in September:

This was after 2 days in Sequoia/Kings Canyon.

Sunday, September 7 -
5:45AM - Checkout and Leave Oakhurst
Judy's Donuts - Breakfast and stuff for trail (BRING SNACKS)
Tunnel View for sunrise

Quick stops at:

• El Capitan Meadow
• El Capitan Viewpoint

Park Curry Village Parking Lots
Take Purple or Green shuttle from Curry Village Eastbound stop

John Muir Trail - Bring Poles - Do this:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/vernal-falls
But the full loop - Except, cut back right at Clark Point to double back on John Muir Trail ~6.1mi - 4h30m
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/vernal-and-nevada-falls-via-the-mist-trail

Shuttle back to Curry Village
Lunch
Welcome Center
I ran this loop a couple of times and explored while my wife looked at the Ansel Adams gallery: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/falls-loop-with-swinging-and-sentinel-bridges-b3b43ae
We met at Lower Falls

Check In Curry Village in Park
Dinner at Pizza Deck


Monday, September 8
Run
8:00AM - Pack Up and Leave
9:15 - Washburn Point ~15m
9:35 - Glacier Point Trail - .5m https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/glacier-point-trail ~20m
10:05AM - Sentinel Dome and Taft Point - 5.1m - PACK LUNCH https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sentinel-dome-and-taft-point-loop ~3h15m + 30m eating
Finish at 1:50PM

[2h20m to Fresno]


Unfortunately, we had to change plans on the 8th because the wildfires were dumping so much smoke into the valley. It went from moderate to hazardous overnight (AQI was listed at 420).

So we went up to the Mariposa Grove instead, which was very nice. But a bit redundant for us after sequoia.

Two days isn't near enough. We were there five days and it wasn't enough.

Just make sure as you plan your days you take into account the drive time within the park. It's a good little drive from El Portal to the Valley.

I also recommend The Mobile (in Lee Vining, just outside the park) if you get up to Tuolumne - the tacos were awesome....our climbing guide recommended it to us.

Enjoy, it's one of the most beautiful places in our country

The Chicken Ranch said:

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Two days isn't near enough. We were there five days and it wasn't enough.

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Better than none!

Agreed! That it is.