CALIFORNIA

Yosemite Falls

Distance/Time: 13 miles full loop, 5-7 hours full loop.

Elevation/Difficulty: It is mostly a flat hike, with only 200 ft elevation gain/loss but the full loop is 13 miles, making it a moderate hike.

Start of Trail: Shuttle Stop 6 or 7

Half Dome from Ahwanee Meadow

Yosemite is a huge natural park that it abounds with outdoor opportunities. Tourists can have so many ways of enjoying its natural wonders. Whether it be rock climbing, river rafting, biking, hiking, para-gliding, base jumping, fishing, swimming, skiing, horse back riding, and what else is there that man could think of. It is open all year round, but each season offers a different scenery. Spring to early summer, the waterfalls are at their best and the valley floor is marvelously adorned by wildflowers. For me, the best way to experience a natural park is by foot. Yosemite offers more than 800 miles of trails, from very easy to extremely strenuous.

Yosemite Museum

The Yosemite Valley usually gets the impression of being too crowded, that most hikers would usually recommend to stay away from the Valley. However, contrary to this popular notion, the Valley Floor Loop hike actually is very quiet. It is one of the tranquil ways to enjoy the Valley Floor. Yes, there may be some sections which are overly crowded to experience a oneness with nature, such as along the trail to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls,

Yosemite Falls

and in Bridalveil Falls.

Bridalveil Falls

But surprisingly, to our delight, the majority of the trail is actually very quiet. Most tourists make a pilgrimage to the base of Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls, but after that, you wonder where they went. Only very few people would take a walk to enjoy the lush meadows,

Cooks Meadow

woods and wildflowers,

Wild Azaleas in the midst of the Woods

birds, butterflies, and the bees.

Wildflowers

Wildflower, Butterfly and Bee

Stellar Jay

The route of the hike is through alternating meadows and woodlands,

with frequent views of the granite cliffs,

Cathedral Rocks from Sentinel Beach

and Merced River,

Half Dome and Merced River

the water so clear you can see the fishes swimming in the water.

John Muir once wrote, “ As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm and avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.”

Yosemite Falls and Merced River

And Yosemite Valley made those words alive. Contrary to what the popular notion about Yosemite Valley being too crowded in the summer, again, there were only a few lucky people who chose to experience Yosemite’s beauty and tranquility at the trails of the valley floor

Kids enjoying the Meadows

Us, our group picture

If I may add, while I was browsing the National Geographic website on National Parks just now, the Valley Floor Loop Trail is a must do secret ( http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/national-parks/yosemite.html ) in Yosemite.

Tranquility at the Bank of Merced River

I have not really been to a lot of the hiking trails in Yosemite to agree or disagree, but to me, the Yosemite Valley Floor is a very beautiful natural garden must see.

Cathedral Rocks from El Capitan Meadow

Where else can you find a garden so beautifully adorned with green grasses and wildflowers

inviting a lot of wildlife, surrounded by lush green trees,

naturally adorned by majestic granite rocks

El Capitan, the largest granite monolith in the world, standing at 3000 ft

with North America’s tallest waterfall

Yosemite Falls

and the crystal clear waters of Merced River running through it? Only here, at Yosemite Valley.

Bridalveil Falls