Once we reached the top of the dome, there was plenty of space to walk around and get different views of Yosemite Valley. We saw a lot of rainbows on this trail. I know it will be relatively dry there at this time, but which hikes would be best to see waterfalls? The views of this waterfall are … If we had to omit one hike, we’d probably skip Bridalveil Fall only because we weren’t there during peak season. Explore what’s possible. 5 Easy Hikes at Yosemite National Park in September, Do's and Don'ts For Yosemite National Park in September, The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary for Yosemite National Park in September. Cross country skiing on winter’s blanket of snow is one of the best ways to explore the Yosemite high country during the winter. Crystal taking a photo of our friend in the distance. Right after our Sentinel Dome hike, we headed straight into our 2.2 miles (round trip) hike for Taft Point. If this is your first (and possibly only) visit to Yosemite, I would favor June. There are several trail options from easy to strenuous and we opted for the moderate hike. The best time to visit Yosemite National Park with mostly pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds is either from mid-May until early-June or from late September until mid-October. Follow our adventures as we discover hidden gems, amazing landscapes or cute things to do in Japan. The hiking in Yosemite is world-class, and it is ideal in September since most of the trails have opened and the weather is near-perfect. To make the most out of your trip, pack a pair of hard-soled, waterproof and breathable hiking boots. In Tuolumne Meadows, meanwhile, September brings crisp days and freezing nights. We forgot to pack our headlamps, but luckily we had the flashlights on our phone to guide us back. It takes about 6-8 hours to complete. Then drive on to Glacier Point for views. Wanting to get in a few hikes and see the sights. We recommend taking a short bathroom break here as well since there won’t be a bathroom once you get back on the trail. HOW TO HIKE HALF DOME: Get professional advice on hiking to … This hike was more of a leisurely stroll through nature. We both love visiting national parks and many of them require some minimal hiking if you want to witness waterfalls or epic views. It was much easier than the hike we did at Mist Trail. Hike to both lower and upper Cathedral Lake and bring mosquito repellent in the summer! Since the flow of water was low, we were able to climb around the rocks where there would be water in the spring. For some reason, it looked like the Iron Throne to us. After we had some fun jumping around on the rocks, we continued the rest of the hike, that goes in a loop, and the entire walk was pretty flat. I'm looking for hikes 1-4 miles. Of course, this doesn’t mean accidents don’t happen, so only take this risk if you are ready to take on the consequences. climbing around on the rocks at Yosemite Falls. Easy Hikes in Yosemite. Is it just us or do you see the resemblance too? With over 3.5 million yearly visitors from throughout the world, the iconic Yosemite National Park is one of the best National Parks on earth. RSS, 10 Unique and Wacky Things To Do in Tokyo, Japan, Top 10 Amazing Things To Do in Havana Cuba. See more hiking trails for kids in Yosemite National Park on Tripadvisor. While there are plenty of challenging hikes, there are also some very rewarding easy hikes in Yosemite, so don’t shy away if you’re not able to climb switchbacks out of the valley. View of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall from Tunnel View. From a distance, Sentinel Dome looks like a climb for advanced hikers but don’t let the looks of it fool you. Climbing around on the rocks is not part of the path so if you do this, please be cautious. Parking for Mariposa Grove is at the south entrance and although there are 300 parking spaces, they fill up by late morning so definitely arrive early to snag a spot. Discover things to do in Yosemite in winter with this handy build-your-own itinerary guide. When you are in the valley, don’t forget to go for a walk through the wooden pathways and take a dip in the Merced River during the summer. This post contains affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you if you click on one of the product links, we may earn a commission. Of course, we ended up taking a wrong turn but luckily one of us realized something looked different before we went too far off the path. When hiking Yosemite National Park you can go from a lush valley beneath enormous cliffs, to a stroll beneath 100 foot waterfalls, and end the day with a walk along those very cliffs you hiked beneath! 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