Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point

So we are in Yosemite National Park on Memorial Day weekend. What could possibly go wrong? (When we left our cabin outside Sequoia on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, the line to enter Sequoia was at least 3 miles long! In the 4 days we were there, the longest we had seen that line was 2 cars!). Arriving in Yosemite yesterday afternoon, like Sequoia, the line to enter here stretched miles.

Today, we wanted to see Yosemite Falls (at the valley), and knew this major attraction would be crowded. We arrived early (around 0700) and snagged one of the few remaining parking spots. Fortunately, few people were on the falls and meadow trails. Lovely and serene.

After enjoying the falls and meadows, we planned to go to Mirror Lake, where parking would be impossible, so we went to the shuttle stop for a shuttle ride. After waiting 30 minutes with a large crowd, a shuttle appeared, but the driver told us that none of the stops near Mirror Lake were open (construction). We decided to try to find a parking spot closer to the lake, and we endured long lines of cars with no parking available. On to Plan B.

Glacier Point is in a completely different part of the park, away from the crowded valley. It is a promontory far above the valley at an elevation of about 7500 - 8000 feet. We headed up there, hoping to avoid crowds. After circling the lot for 30 minutes or so, Charlie parked, and off we went. There was plenty of space for people to disperse, so we could wander freely and enjoy. The vista is breathtaking, revealing the massive granite half-dome summit with tiny dots of rock climbers. Glacier Point overlooks the entire valley, famous waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. We enjoyed it a lot!

Photos (and video) are of the valley floor (with Yosemite Falls) and Glacier Point (with drone-like images from high above the valley).Read more