HIKING
Yosemite National Park has over 800 miles of trails available to hikers. No matter your comfort level with hiking, Yosemite can accommodate you with hikes from easy strolls to extended hikes up several mountains, to the most advanced, multiple-day backpacking trips.
Here is a link to the the most popular trails and their difficulty level.
HALF DOME
Hiking Yosemite's Half Dome Cables Route has been described as unforgettable and even life-changing. But this expedition is not for the faint of heart. The challenge begins immediately, with a hike along the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall, a steep ascent that serves as a test to see if you're in adequate condition for the remaining journey. The hike then continues to the top of Nevada Fall, followed by a long, flat section through Yosemite Valley. When you finally reach the base of the dome, a steep rocky climb finally takes you to the Half Dome Cables, a vertical, exposed rock face scalable by two steel cables.
If you're afraid of heights or are not in excellent physical condition, don't ascend the cables. You can still enjoy many of the Dome's tamer sections, such as the trip to Nevada Fall. If you are going to try the entire hike, you'll need to allot at least 12 hours. The National Park Service recommends you leave just before or at dawn, and advises you to bring all necessary hiking equipment, including durable hiking boots, a flashlight and a whistle. You'll also need at least a gallon of water, and don't rely on park facilities for hydration or a bathroom break.
Half Dome is generally accessible from late May to October. A permit is now required if you wish to hike to the top of Half Dome and a maximum of 300 hikers are allowed each day. Permits are distributed by the National Park Service's lottery; there is a preseason lottery and a daily lottery, and you can find more information about the lottery drawings and requirements on the NPS website (some fees apply). If you're interested in scaling the Half Dome Cables, previous hikers said you need to apply as soon as possible and plan to be flexible as you'll have to hike the day you're assigned.
MIST TRAIL & VERNAL FALLS
One of the most popular hiking trails in Yosemite, the Mist Trail serves as a gateway to many of the park's top sights, including Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls and Half Dome. The trail attracts the hardcore hikers but also accommodates novices with shorter half-day hikes. Consider taking the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall: The challenging hike requires you climb 500 rocky stairs to the top of the waterfall, allowing for a unique vantage point of the waterway and the surrounding park. Vernal Fall's water plummets 317 feet down into the Merced River below.
SWIMMING IN TENAYA LAKE
Take a dip in Tenaya Lake! Perfect to beat the Yosemite summer heat. Lying at 8,150 feet, Tenaya Lake is a beautiful alpine lake popular with summer swimmers and outdoor enthusiasts that sits between Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley. Like Tenaya Canyon below it, Tenaya Lake is named after Chief Tenaya of the Ahwahnechee people, who inhabited much of Yosemite before their forced relocation in the 1850s. With Highway 120/Tioga Pass Road running along it’s north shore, Tenaya Lake is incredibly accessible when the seasonal road is open, typically from May through October. The views surrounding the lake are spectacular.
Nestled below Tenaya Peak and surrounded by multiple glacially-shaped domes, Tenaya Lake is set in stunning scenery. The west end can be accessed by the Clouds Rest/Sunrise Lakes Trailhead, and it offers the lake's best vista. Here you'll find a cozy little beach and an island that can be reached with some wading. A nice mile-long trail follows the south shore of the lake from the west end around to the east shore. A larger parking area is provided near the east shore adjacent to the large swimming beach.
The National Park Service permits use of small, non-motorized boats on Tenaya Lake. Picnic areas and vault toilets are located at multiple points around the west, north, and east shores.
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
In the east section of the park you'll find Tuolumne Meadows, known for its flat grassland, winding river and excellent rock climbing opportunities. It's also recognized for being one of the Sierra Nevada's largest high-elevation meadows (at 8,600 feet). The area lacks the daunting rock walls of the park's main area and instead features short- to medium-range climbing and hiking routes that are refreshingly devoid of heavy crowds. And with that, the meadows attract a cross-section of travelers, from serious rock climbers to families seeking an alternative place to explore.
GIANT SEQUOIA GROVES
Massive, ancient giant sequoias live in three groves in Yosemite National Park. The most easily accessible of these (spring through fall) is the Mariposa Grove near the park's South Entrance, off of the Wawona Road (Highway 41). Unfortunately, The Mariposa Grove Road and the Mariposa Grove are closed for a restoration project until fall 2017.
However, the two smaller and less visited groves are the Tuolumne and Merced Groves near Crane Flat. No roads enter the Tuolumne or Merced Groves; two to three miles of hiking (about 500 feet of elevation gain) is required before you will see sequoias.
ANDREA ------
GLACIER POINT
Glacier Point is considered one of the best and most comprehensive lookouts in the park. It's also one of the highest points, featuring views of Yosemite landmarks like the Half Dome or the floor of Yosemite Valley. Unlike many points in Yosemite, Glacier Point is accessible via roadway, allowing drivers to forego a difficult climb. This is particularly fortunate if you're traveling with young children who would otherwise be unable to enjoy a scenic, high-altitude view of the Yosemite Valley. Travelers aren't exaggerating when they call Glacier Point one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Yosemite. Many visitors said this lookout point had them feeling on top of the world with its panoramic vistas of the valley.
