I've lived most of my life in California and visited Yosemite at least 20 times over the years beginning in 1962 when I camped in the valley with my parents. A lot has changed since then. Crowds have grown exponentially, and park authorities are only now beginning to cope with a new master plan that returns the park to a more natural state.

What hasn't changed is number of spectacular viewpoints. Here are a few of my favorites, most of which are accessible to anyone who can walk a mile.

1) The popular favorite, tunnel view, where you get a panorama of the whole valley with Half Dome and Clouds Rest in the distance. It's accessible to everyone since its right next to the road just outside the valley side of the Wawona Tunnel.

2) My two personal favorites are Washburn Point and Glacier Point, near and at the end of the Glacier Point Road, and accessible by car, park shuttle, or a fairly strenuous hike (3,200 foot elevation gain) up the Four Mile Trail from the valley floor. Here you feel like you're on top of the world as the land drops off precipitously on three sides. You'll also get to view many Yosemite landmarks. Across the chasms you'll see the profile of Half Dome up close, Clouds Rest, Yosemite Falls, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and much of the Yosemite high country. This area gets very soulful in twilight and can be spectacular if you're lucky enough to get a show of alpenglow on Half Dome.

3) Taft Point is a lesser known spot accessible by a fairly level 1-mile trail off the Glacier Point road at the Sentinel Dome Viewpoint. This spot gives you a great insight into the glacial origin of the valley. From a small view "platform" with a creaky railing, the cliff drops straight down for a thousand feet below your feet and continues another 2,500 feet at only a slightly less spectacular angle. You'll also see Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Dome and other spectacular scenery.

4) Vernal Falls bridge offers another picture perfect view accessible to almost everyone, but most people don't venture beyond here. Walk just a few minutes farther and you'll find some great picnic sites among rock outcroppings with great white water and waterfall views. But you may be able to get a real treat if you're a little more daring and your timing is right. Continue up the Mist Trail toward Vernal Falls. If you're as lucky as I was one summer morning, after a while you'll find yourself completely drenched and suddenly standing in the middle of a rainbow with spectacular colors flashing all around you. Allocate a few hours for this hike.

5) To see the valley from a completely different viewpoint, drive up onto the Tioga Road and find the trailhead for Basket Dome and North Dome, both of which overlook the northeastern end of the valley. This is a real hike. The top of North Dome is about a 9 mile round trip with a fair amount of elevation change, so it requires careful planning, good shoes, water and food. From here you'll see the flat face of Half Dome, an up close view of the expanse of Clouds Rest, Glacier Point, and much of the valley. You'll get to visit the top of a dome without making the (I'd say three times as strenuous) pilgrimage to the top of Half Dome.

6) The view from almost anywhere in Tuolumne Meadows or Dana Meadows is as close to heaven as most of us get during our lives. These subalpine meadows are worth the long drive on the Tioga Road. For an amazing 360-degree panorama of much of this area, take the slightly less than easy trail from the Soda Springs parking lot in Tuolumne Meadows to the top of Lembert Dome (less than a mile).

One parting shot: Many people who talk about Yosemite insist that you take the very long and strenuous hike to the top of Half Dome. Well, I've been there twice, and I was disappointed both times (don't ask why I went the second time). The crowds on the Half Dome trail can be annoying, but for me, the view from the top of Half Dome is far from the best in Yosemite. For one thing, you can't see Half Dome, and unfortunately, you can't see many sights you'd expect to catch a glimpse of, like Yosemite Falls. If you need a good all-day workout or want to rise to a difficult challenge, by all means go, but in my humble opinion, don't go for the view.




Recommended: Yes