50 Best Short Hikes: Yosemite National Park and Vicinity. Elizabeth Wenk

natural and human histories, while a trip to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, the Nature Center at Happy Isles, or the Pioneer Yosemite History Center in Wawona is a perfect way to begin your park visit. Many excellent books have also been written on its human and natural histories. Two of my favorites to read before your visit are Geology Underfoot in Yosemite National Park by Allen F. Glazner and Greg M. Stock and the out-of-print, but still available, history of Tuolumne Meadows, Meadow in the Sky by Elizabeth Stone O’Neill. Flowering Shrubs of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada by Shirley Spencer and Wildflowers of Yosemite by Lynn Wilson, Jim Wilson, and Jeff Nicholas are excellent companions on the trail.

      USING THIS BOOK

      This book is written for everyone wanting to experience Yosemite’s wonders on foot, whether you wish to take short excursions to the base of waterfalls or to vista points, moderate hikes to a grove of sequoias or to the summit of a granite dome, or more difficult adventures to the top of a peak or to the shores of an alpine lake. The walks range in length from 0.4 mile to 8 miles, with the majority in the always popular 2- to 5-mile range.

      The description for each walk contains information on general trailhead location, trail use, distance and configuration, elevation range, facilities, hike highlights, a short overview, a detailed route description, and GPS coordinates (WGS84), as well as directions to the trailhead. The majority of hikes included are only accessible to hikers, although eight allow baby strollers on much of their length. Each hike lists the starting elevation and the elevation change, with cumulative elevation gained and lost given if there are significant undulations along the trail.

      I have included several walks that are not on official trails, but all follow well-worn use trails, defined as a trail created by the passage of many feet. I recommend following these routes only if you have some prior hiking experience, such that you are confident you can distinguish the course of the trail from the surroundings. They generally lead to less-visited corners of Yosemite, but with that treat comes added responsibility: unconstructed trails are less resistant to erosion, making them poor choices just after snowmelt or heavy rain, when they are likely wet and muddy and easily damaged.

      SELECTING A HIKE

      Whether you are a new visitor to Yosemite or wishing to explore a new corner of the park, it can be a challenge to select the hike that best fits your expectations. This will be especially so because there is no single best hike to which I can direct you—my enthusiasm extends to every corner of Yosemite. Instead read the list of “Very Best Hikes” or peruse the chart. I hope that this list and chart will let you pick a destination that perfectly matches your mood on a given day. And consider the following:

        Most walks in Yosemite Valley are crowded, for you are not the only person to have heard that it is beautiful. It is easy to be turned off by crowds, but remember that everyone is here for a good reason—the location really is spectacular. The Mariposa Grove near Wawona is similarly busy during the summer. If crowds of people take away from your enjoyment, visit in fall or winter, midweek, or early in the morning. I am always pleasantly surprised by how few people are on the trails before 10 a.m.

        Every walk included can be beautiful and rewarding, but some walks are most engaging during only part of the year. For instance, without flowers, the mid-elevation areas, such as near White Wolf, are less inspiring to me.

        No description given is intended to be a euphemism for boring—if a phrase such as “quiet forest walk” strikes you as such, pick a phrase that better matches your persuasions.

        The effort and time required to complete a given trail distance can vary enormously. Elevation (that is, low versus high), amount of elevation change, and trail condition all greatly affect your travel speed. In the high elevation regions around Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass, you will walk more slowly than in Yosemite Valley, for there is less oxygen to breathe at the higher elevations. Use trails tend to be slower to walk than constructed trails, for they are narrower and often steeper. Consider, for instance, that the distance from White Wolf to Lukens Lake is nearly identical to the Twenty Lakes Basin circuit, but the latter will likely take twice as long.

      WALKING WITH KIDS

      The hike descriptions and recommendations are written with special consideration to families who are searching for the best walks to do with children. The introductory section for each of the seven regions highlights the hikes that are best suited to children. In this age of media entertainment and nonstop screens, it is incredibly important to introduce children to the outdoors at a young age. Most children love poking around nature, watching squirrels, finding a bird feather, collecting flowers, and jumping off rocks. Convincing them to hike (and simultaneously to leave Yosemite’s natural treasures unpicked) is a little more difficult, but with some forethought, perfectly doable.

      If your children balk at the idea of hiking, here are a few things to remember and some games that friends and I have been successful playing:

        Kids love rocks, including slabs, so pick a walk where they can enjoy a little rock walking.

       Before your walk, take your child to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet and pick an activity to do on the trail, so s/he can feel important as you walk.

        Remind your child that whoever walks steadily in front and is quietest will see the most animals.

        If you know a little about the trees or flowers, share it with your children, for they readily absorb natural history facts and are so proud about what they have learned. Have them count bundles of pine needles to differentiate between species or find flowers of all colors of the rainbow (just don’t pick them).

       Make children feel proud of their walking abilities. Let children know in advance if you are going on a long walk and tell them that they are very capable of being able to complete it. I rate walks for my 5-year-old daughter by age, not miles, and she proudly rises to the occasion when she realizes that she gets to go on a hike rated above her age.

        Pick a destination with water play.

        Play hide-and-seek along the trail.

        Take walks with other children. Or make it a special occasion to have a one-on-one conversation with your child, instead of interacting only with the adults present.

        When the little legs begin to lag, have one adult go a few steps ahead and hide an occasional snack for a treasure hunt.And don’t be too hard on them:

        Remember that kids are more adversely affected by heat than adults are. Make sure that they wear wide-brimmed hats, drink plenty of water, eat food, and get lots of shady breaks.

        A very buggy trip will be a negative memory for a long time. During June and July avoid walks described as mosquito-prone.

        Promise a treat at the end of the day or trip—a special snack or a Yosemite-themed book at the visitor center.

      STAYING SAFE

      There is no reason to worry about your safety in a wilderness setting, but you must remember both to take care of your body’s needs and to be aware of dangers that could arise. Cell phone reception is rare, and you may be alone on the trail, meaning that your party is responsible for getting yourselves safely back to the trailhead or fetching help if an injury occurs. If you are lost, especially off the trail, stay put. Members of your party or rescuers will find you more quickly if you haven’t wandered farther afield.

      Taking care of yourself: While exercising, you need to eat, drink, and maintain the correct body temperature to keep your body functioning. When on a hike, this requires a little forethought. Always wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat. If you plan to be away from the car for more than 20 minutes, you should carry water, food, extra clothing (when appropriate), a map, and a small first-aid kit. It is important to drink water and eat as you exert yourself. Stop at least every 30 minutes for a drink and every 1–2 hours for a snack. For hikes up to 3 miles, carry a quart of water per person, and