However, September is a good month for hiking in the high Sierra country of Yosemite, as it will still be warm and dry in the daytime. Yosemite Waterfalls in September Yosemite National Park in northern California contains some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the United States. The starting point is in the exact same location as Sentinel Dome, so if you are up for a back-to-back hike, definitely hike Taft Point. The Mist Trail. It was much easier than the hike we did at Mist Trail. Perhaps hike some of the Panorama Trail down to Illilouette Fall and back. Read our full disclosure for more info. Those famous Yosemite Valley crowds start thinning out after Labor Day and don't recover again until the following May. Trail sign at start of Mist Trail . There are other paths for experienced hikers, but that route would have taken an entire day. She was right and it actually was a fairly easy climb. Climbing around on the rocks is not part of the path so if you do this, please be cautious. The Best Time. You’ll find the trailhead at the Tuolumne Grove parking lot just past Crane Flat. Trails vary in distance and difficulty, so there is something for all ages and levels of experience. How Difficult is Mist Trail at Yosemite for the Average Person? View of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall from Tunnel View. There are literally hundreds of thousands of hiking trails in America; every state has a seemingly endless variety of amazing routes to discover, so you can imagine how difficult it is to narrow down a list to the 25 best hikes in the US.. This is hands down the most impressive hike you can do in Yosemite! In Tuolumne Meadows, meanwhile, September brings crisp days and freezing nights. July and August are always ridiculously busy. The views of this waterfall are … The paved hike starts at the parking lot and from there the hike is only half a mile round trip. To make the most out of your trip, pack a pair of hard-soled, waterproof and breathable hiking boots. Answer 1 of 8: I realize that the falls are dry in September. It takes about 6-8 hours to complete. This hike presents a few “choose your own challenge” options depending on your level of desire for a strenuous hike. The park has over 800 miles of hiking trails, and many lead to waterfalls, alpine lakes or granite peaks. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. This trail climbs alongside Vernal Fall on long, stone staircases. Prepare for altitude! My understanding is that a lot of the waterfalls will be dry. The once simmering hot summer days mellow into cool mornings and gently warm afternoons sparkling with fall colors. We both love visiting national parks and many of them require some minimal hiking if you want to witness waterfalls or epic views. We saw some people wearing skirts and normal attire as opposed to hiking clothes and this is completely fine if you don’t plan on climbing any rocks like we did. Lower Yosemite … it’s a live Sequoia where you can walk straight through the tree. We recommend taking a short bathroom break here as well since there won’t be a bathroom once you get back on the trail. The Taft Point - Pohono Trail - Sentinel Dome loop I suggested really only has elevation gain when you scramble up the dome. I'm an Arizonan, so any water makes a big impression on me. Answer 1 of 5: Hello, I'll be visiting Yosemite a week after Labor Day. Soda Springs And Parsons Lodge Trail. Can anyone recommend the best hikes in the area during this time of the year? From short, easy walks to the waterfalls and viewpoints, to epic, all day hikes, there is no better way to explore Yosemite than on your own two feet. Luckily, we spotted a couple ahead of us, so we were glad they seemed to know their way back and we followed closely behind them. After you park, you need to get in line for the shuttle that takes you to the entrance of the trail. The hiking in Yosemite is world-class, and many trails are still open in Hetch Hetchy and Wawona. A lifestyle blog about two sisters who love to travel and mix in fashion, beauty, pet-friendly destinations and more. Crystal snapping some shots of Bridalveil Fall, A little rock climbing to get closer to Bridalveil Fall. If you only have time for one hike in Yosemite, this is definitely the one to do. The USA is a hiker’s dream country for many reasons. While some of Yosemite’s best-known hikes should be attempted only by the extremely fit and adventurous, plenty of easy and moderate trails are available as well, offering stellar views and wonderful experiences. This hike was more of a leisurely stroll through nature. This great option for hiking in fall in Yosemite is open as long as the road to Tioga Pass is open (generally through mid-October). It was a nice walk and we were surrounded by trees that helped keep us cool. Mariposa Grove went through a massive restoration and recently reopened last summer (June 2018). Our top priority was to hike Half Dome, but unfortunately, we did not win the lottery and were not awarded a permit. This trail is a 2.5 mile jaunt along a paved road to a little grove of beautiful giant … All opinions are always our own. Yosemite is great year-round, but summer between May - September is the most accessible time of year.Two main roads in the park, Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road, typically don’t open until May/June (see this link for historical opening dates).. Want to know where we stayed and what we packed for Yosemite? Most, … Following is more info about our picks for the top 2 best family hikes in Yosemite National Park. For more information on all of Yosemite National Park and Mariposa County’s gorgeous hiking trails, click here. It was around noon and the temperature was starting to pick up (90° F), so wearing something that breathes well will definitely help you stay comfortable. ©2020 Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, Yosemite Itineraries: What to Do in Yosemite. Each area of the park has easy to strenuous trails, so you are guaranteed to find a trail … The reward for a relatively easy hike was absolutely amazing. Ever since we visited Sequoia National Park, we fell in love with these giant trees so we wanted to see them again in Yosemite. Check out the links below. The park is always busy. Hi!We're sisters who are half Japanese and half American and we love to travel the world in style! I know it will be relatively dry there at this time, but which hikes would be best to see waterfalls? Crystal taking a photo of our friend in the distance. 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. A little scary standing close to the edge, so laying down felt more secure. Wanting to get in a few hikes and see the sights. The changing of the seasons in Yosemite is never so stark as the shift from the busy masses of visitors that enjoy the park in June, July and August to the early fall when a quiet calm rests over the valley. Day 1: Hiking Upper Yosemite Falls & Yosemite Point. These are the best places for kid-friendly hiking trails in Yosemite National Park: Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. We’re not in the best shape to attempt hours of rigorous hiking. If you don't mind the former, you'll certainly appreciate the latter. Explore what’s possible. The bus is a short five-minute ride and it’s free. Yosemite Falls might be just a gossamer spray or even a dry wall in September. 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