Now that Yosemite National Park has a reservation system during the summer months, we couldn’t just decide to go to Yosemite for the day without some planning. Even with our reservation, we waited 30 minutes to enter the park.
Half Dome from Big Oak Flat Road
The Valley was very crowded that day even though it was a week day. The parking at this pullout along the road was empty when I got there, but by the time I left, it was double parked with vehicles. Everyone had to see what we were looking at!
Tall Goldenrod
Across the road from us was a magnificent view of El Capitan.
El Capitan
It was a bit windy that day. You can see the water at the top of Bridal Veil Falls being whipped up by the breeze. Though Bridal Veil still had water, Yosemite Falls was just a trickle.
Bridal Veil Falls
The parking lots in the valley were totally full. We drove around to see if anyone might be leaving, but soon gave up. We had to settle for parking along the road like this meadow pullout.
Meadow in Yosemite Valley
I took a little walk along the pathway and found this old fallen log.
Meadow in Yosemite Valley
Looking back, I could see El Capitan from a different angle.
El Capitan
We got tired of the crowds and decided to drive up into the high country. We found a nice pull out with a view. We were the only ones there.
View Point from Big Oak Flat Road
Our campground was only five miles from the Oak Flat entrance. We enjoyed our time there, but we didn’t attempt any more trips into the park. It was just too crowded for our taste. However, we enjoyed our evening walks around the campground and the many beautiful sunsets like this one.
Sunset at Yosemite Lakes Campground
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9
Of all the national parks we’ve visited, (33 so far), Yosemite is our all-time favorite. While we were staying in Coarsegold, California, we couldn’t resist a visit to our former “backyard.”
The Historical Wawona Hotel was being renovated in 2025.
We entered Yosemite park through the Oakhurst entrance and stopped at the Wawona visitors’ center. In all our visits to Yosemite, I’d never been to this visitors’ center. It houses a fabulous collection of paintings of the famous landscape artist, Thomas Hill.
A large floor to ceiling painting of Thomas Hill in the Wawona Visitors’ center.
After getting my National Parks Passport book stamped and buying a couple of stickers for my journal, we drove on to Glacier Point. The road was fully opened recently after having been closed for a couple of years for repairs.
At over 7,200 feet in elevation, Glacier Point has the best views of Half Dome and Vernal and Nevada Falls. It also has wonderful views of Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Falls.
Huge rock walls of Yosemite Valley
The weather was a perfect temperature that day. The clouds added character to the beautiful landscape.
Half Dome and Yosemite ValleyView of Half Dome from Glacier PointVernal and Nevada Falls from Glacier PointHalf Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls from Glacier PointRock ledge overlooking Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Upper and Lower Falls from Glacier Point
We were driving back from Glacier Point when we found this nice meadow where we stopped to eat our picnic lunch. I took some time to do a quick “plein air” watercolor painting. It wasn’t a Thomas Hill, but it was fun and relaxing.
Meadow on Glacier RoadPlein Air painting
As we were coming through the tunnel, the view suddenly opened up and we saw this magnificent view of the valley and Bridal Veil Falls. I never get tired of looking at this view.
This view is known as the Tunnel view because the road goes through a tunnel and then opens up to this.
The clouds were really something that day. They started forming in the distance over the mountains and kept growing and growing until they filled the whole sky above.
While enjoying the view, a young lady from Utah offered to take our photo. She and her family own a campground in St. George, Utah. Since it was my birthday, I figured I should have a photo to commemorate it.
Birthday photo in Yosemite
As we drove through Yosemite Valley, we caught glimpses of Yosemite Falls. They were full and beautiful from record snowfall and rainfall in the winter and spring of that year.
Yosemite Falls (Upper and Lower) from Sentinel Bridge area.Yosemite Falls
We continued on driving through the valley until we stopped at this viewpoint of Bridal Veil Falls and the Merced River.
Merced River and Bridal Veil Falls from Valley View TurnoutMerced River and Bridal Veil Falls from Valley View Turnout
By now the clouds had almost completely filled the sky above us. We turned toward home as we closed out our day with a last look at this magical place.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1
