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The Ancient Groves and Mist Trails of Yosemite National Park

The world's largest living things are found in Yosemite National Park, located in California. Groves of giant sequoia forests and countless waterfalls grace this area, a breathtaking destination for your next vacation.

Giant Sequoias

The giant sequoias are definitely a sight to see. Standing nearly 300 feet tall, these stately trees are some of the oldest trees on earth. If you're planning to visit Yosemite, plan a trip to one of the sequoia groves. You won't regret it.

Yosemite National Park has three groves of giant sequoias. The easiest one to access is Mariposa Grove, which is open to visitors in the summer and fall. You can get to Mariposa Grove from Highway 41 or Wawona Road.

The other two giant sequoia groves are a little harder to reach. Both are located off Big Oak Flat Road or Highway 120, and require a hike. Tuolumne Grove is located about one mile east of Crane Flat, and the Merced Grove is just west of Crane Flat. The Tuolumne Grove requires about a two-mile hike, and the Merced Grove requires a four-mile hike to reach the giant sequoias.

Yosemite Valley

Famous for its incredible rock formations and majestic waterfalls, Yosemite Valley is a must see. Yosemite Valley is about 3,000 feet deep and one to two miles wide. The best place to get a perspective of its depth is at Glacier Point. You can get to Glacier Point by car, or by hiking up the Four-Mile or Panorama Trails. Tunnel View is also a good location to get a great view. It's located along the Wawona Road.

Here are some of the spectacular rock formations that you won't want to miss on your pass through Yosemite Valley:

Half Dome
El Capitan
Cathedral Rocks and Spires
The Three Brothers
Sentinel Rock
Yosemite Point
Glacier Point.

As you become awe-inspired by these natural wonders, you might some time to learn about the history of the area, or see the Yosemite Valley through someone else's eyes. Here are some good stops to investigate:

the Yosemite Museum
the Nature Center
the LeConte Memorial Lodge
the Ansel Adams Gallery.

Waterfalls

The best time to see waterfalls in Yosemite is in the spring. In many cases, you can hike down to the base of the waterfall and witness the sheer power of nature as the water comes roaring down from great heights. You'll experience the best flow from May to June. Here are some of the famous waterfalls you won't want to miss:

Yosemite Falls (2,425 feet tall)
Bridalveil Fall (620 feet)
Vernal Fall (317 feet)
Nevada Fall (594 feet)
Ribbon Fall (1,612 feet)
Horsetail Fall (1,000 feet)
Staircase Falls (1,300 feet).

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