Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Valley was formed by glaciers during the last ice age, leaving behind stunning valleys, lakes, and rock formations. The park is also home to giant sequoias, some of the largest and oldest trees on Earth, and over 400 species of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and bald eagles. Interestingly, Yosemite has been a popular filming location for movies and TV shows, such as Star Trek and The Hunger Games.

Important information before you go to Yosemite:

• If you go by car to Yosemite, you need to buy a pass ticket in advance here (7-day pass for $35). Otherwise, you can access the park before 6am without a ticket

• On the same website, you can book a spot on a camping sites inside the park (e.g. Curry Village has good access for Mirror Lake and Vernal, and Nevada Falls)

• You are allowed to camp in the wild (with some rules), but you need an extra permit, which you can obtain here by lottery

Hikes

• Lower and Upper Yosemite Falls: The Lower Falls trail is easily accessible and offers a great view of the waterfall. During peak season, it can get quite crowded, but it's still worth the visit. You can take a short walk to the base of the falls and even dip your feet in the refreshing water. The trail to the Upper Falls is more challenging and requires a bit more effort, but the stunning views of the valley and the waterfall make it worth it. Keep in mind that the trail can be slippery and steep, so wear appropriate footwear and take necessary precautions. The parking lot near Camp 4 is a good starting point for both hikes.

• Mirror Lake: This scenic hike is a great option for those who want an easy and relaxing stroll. The trail is mostly flat and circles around Mirror Lake, offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and a large rock formation in the middle of the lake. Unfortunately, due to sedimentation, the lake is becoming shallower every year, but it's still a beautiful spot to take a break and enjoy the scenery. You can start the hike from the John Muir Trail parking lot.

• Vernal and Nevada Falls: These two waterfalls are a must-see in Yosemite. The hike to Vernal Fall is steep but relatively short, and the view from the top is breathtaking. From there, you can continue to Nevada Fall, which is a more challenging hike with a 600-meter elevation gain. At the top of Nevada Fall, you can cross a bridge that offers a stunning view of the waterfall and the valley below. If you're up for a longer hike, you can continue to the Half Dome for an additional 700 meters of elevation gain. Keep in mind that a permit is required to hike up the Half Dome, which can be obtained through the recreation.gov website. The tickets are assigned through the lottery, so unfortunately you can't plan much ahead and secure tickets. However, if you are in Yosemite for a short period of time you can ask the rangers if there are any unused tickets. 

• Glacier Point: This hike offers some of the best views of Yosemite Valley. The trail is about four miles long and winds its way up to Glacier Point, offering panoramic views of the valley and the Half Dome along the way. At the top, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Yosemite Valley, including the waterfalls and the iconic Half Dome. The shuttle service is the most convenient way to reach the top, but if it's not running, you can still hike up. At the summit, there are restrooms and a small geological museum with photos and exhibits about the glaciers that once covered the area. Be sure to check out the informational boards that explain the area's geology and history. It's a popular spot, so try to visit early in the morning or during off-peak times to avoid crowds

The hikes I just described are highlights if you have only few days in Yosemite, check more hikes in this website. Also, if you're a wildlife nut as I am, check this website for Yosemite's wildlife. 

Camping with an RV in Yosemite

Camping with your RV inside the park is not allowed and you can only stay in the campsites (paying extra). Here is where we stayed before, during, and after leaving Yosemite.

• Before: Lake Don Pedro was a beautiful pit stop on our way to Yosemite from San Francisco, where we were able to admire a stunning sunset. It is also an ideal location for an overnight stay.

• During: El Portal is the closest parking slot to Yosemite Park's entrance, accessible via Exit South 140. As you are not allowed to sleep inside an RV in Yosemite's National Park, El Portal parking lot is a popular alternative. The lot is located next to the road, so we suggest parking vertically with the sleeping area as far away from the road as possible to avoid being disturbed by passing cars. It's important to note that no entry tickets are required for Yosemite if you arrive before 6am, so a lot of cars will be passing by quite early in the morning.

• After: Mariposa is a small town conveniently located next to the main road, where we chose to stay instead of a more secluded spot recommended by the Park4Night app. We enjoyed a peaceful night's rest without much noise and even had time for a nice cup of coffee in the morning before continuing our journey.

What to pack

• Bring water and snacks with you - there are no restaurants or food options in most of the hikes (except at the top of the Glacier Point, but it was also closed when we went)

• Sunscreen / hat is essential

• If you're hiking Vernal and Nevada Falls or Glacier Point, bring good hiking boots and band-aids just in case (I needed them)

• Hiking gear (e.g. clothes, backpack...)

• Binoculars if you want to enjoy a priviledge view from the top! 

Our experience in Yosemite and on our way to Sequoia

Yosemite was absolutely amazing! The hikes were so enjoyable, and the landscapes were lush with incredible waterfalls. We were sad to leave, but excited to visit Sequoia. However, our journey to Sequoia didn't go as planned. We left Yosemite after dinner when it was pitch dark. We drove through the woods with long lights, only using them when there was no oncoming traffic. However, we suddenly saw a police car in the middle of the road. It turned out that there was a fire in Wawona, the direction we were heading. We then understood where the lively red sunset came from earlier that day. Due to the fire, we had to change our direction and drive longer than expected. As we were getting tired, we decided to stop halfway and sleep in a town called Mariposa, just next to the road near the visitors centre. The next morning, we had the best chai coffee with delicious berries and white chocolate muffins. After that, we filled up the car's propane, water and gas tank, and we were ready to go.

However, our journey to Sequoia was not smooth sailing. Before getting there, we broke down and couldn't change gears. We had no signal on our phones, so we had to stop random passing cars to be able to call customer service. Luckily, a super nice family with a van stopped to help, and when we called customer service. Long story short, he suggested that we sleep on the spot because he didn't want to pay for a tow. After some confusion and anger, we finally got a tow that took the van to the backyard of two very nice, humble, involved women that stopped to lend us their phone. Gayle and Crystal welcomed us into their home with open arms and cooked dinner/breakfast at 9 pm for us! The next morning, Billy, a friend and neighbour of our hosts for the night, came and fixed the van. He was such a good mechanic that he solved the problem quickly. The mechanic organised by our rental company arrived around 10 am, and we were finally ready to go. Before leaving, we finished our breakfast (yummy homemade cookies), and they showed us around their garden (they had pistachio trees!). It was the first time I had ever seen a pistachio tree. To make pistachios, you need both a male and female tree next to each other so that the female tree is pollinated by the wind. Then, the pistachios grow in the female tree. Thus, you can have one male tree surrounded by a few productive female trees. Gayle also had watermelon and grapes in her garden.

In the afternoon, we finally arrived at Sequoia National Park. We visited Grant Grove Tree, had the biggest one scoop ice cream, and went to the riverside with them, where we were devoured by mosquitoes. We spent the night in a parking lot in Sequoia with not many people around.