Joshs Top 4 Spots In Yosemite

Josh roams through California in search of awesome, from parks to oddities to food. Check out his blog California Through My Lens. Today we caught up with him to tell us his top destinations in Yosemite. Here's his list! New to camping and needing gear? Last Minute Gear is the only shop where you can buy, rent, or borrow camping gear!

First off if you have not been to Yosemite then make sure to book a trip as soon as you finish reading this post, you won't regret it. I have been going to Yosemite all of my life so I am excited to share my four favorite spots with you in this post. Be sure to let me know what I left off in the comments.

1. The Mist Trail

If you can only hike one spot when you are in the park then make sure it is the Mist Trail and be prepared to get a little wet (well, when there's less of a drought). The Mist Trail is an uphill climb up to Vernal Falls and can be tiring depending on how much you hike. The trail itself is carved out of the granite wall with different sized steps and it takes you up and around the waterfall 'till you eventually end on top of it. If this is all you do it is an amazing trail but you can continue on to see Nevada Falls or even all the way to the top of Half Dome if you have been training and have a permit. The Mist Trail really has it all.

2. Dewey Point

One of my favorite views in the entire park, Dewey Point can be accessed by a short hike in the summer or a long snowshoe in the winter. I prefer the snowshoe as it is so peaceful and relaxing to have the trail all to yourself but either way you are in for a treat when you stare down on the valley below you and see Half Dome off in the distance. The trail starts near the road to Glacier Point and it heads through lush trees for a few miles before ending at the lookout.

3. Glacier Point & the Tunnel View

I'm putting these together because any guide to Yosemite will have these both on it and for good reason. Glacier Point has insane views of Half Dome, waterfalls and the valley below while the tunnel view in Yosemite is guaranteed to take your breath away every time you see it. I would put the tunnel view (the first view you will see of the valley when driving in) up against any other view in the world. It would at least hold its own, it is spectacular. The road to Glacier Point does close during the winter and is only accessible via snowshoe or cross country skiing so be sure to plan accordingly.

4. Mirror Lake

While this hike is not too difficult, it will give you stunning views of Half Dome and the river running through Yosemite from the ground floor. I have done this hike in both the winter and the summer and it is very different but equally amazing each time. This hike is more accessible than the Mist Trail as well, as it has a gradual gain the entire time and therefore should be good for most families. There are a lot of places to explore on this trial and a new stunning view waiting for you at every turn. It is also one of the few places the shuttle will take you to in the winter, so it is a great easy adventure in the park.

So there you have it, my list of my four favorite spots in Yosemite. There truly are a plethora of other places to explore in the park, so now it's your turn, what did I leave off?