Guest Author - Louise Aiello
Yosemite National Park is a breathtaking experience anytime of year.
It is, however, loveliest in the Fall—that twilight time of year between mid-October and Thanksgiving. The colors are as vibrant as any in New England; the valley is ablaze with red dogwood and yellow oaks and maples set against evergreen cedars and pines. The raging torrents of water no longer spill over the towering cliffs from Bridalveil or the great Yosemite waterfalls. Instead, the water mists down the granite walls sometimes fanning out and upward like a woman’s skirt caught by a sudden wind.
Deer and squirrels are less hurried and more plentiful as they seek out berries and grasses to fatten themselves for the coming winter. Like the wildlife, visitors can meander. Wooden pathways crisscross the meadow allowing you to stop now and then to gaze up at Half Dome or search along the sheer face of El Capitan for rock climbers. The lower angle of the sun softens the rock with shadows and bluish hues. With the throngs of summer tourists gone, the Valley returns to a peaceful quiet.
If you’re a first time visitor, take one of the two-hour Valley floor tram tours available from May until the end of October. The tours depart and return from various destinations throughout the Valley. It’s a bit costly but well worth having someone else drive so you can take in the surrounding splendor. Park Rangers narrate each tour making it a good way to find out about the Park’s geology and history. You’ll want to bring along your camera to capture the many spectacular views.
Jackets are a must for the crisp, cool mornings and evenings. But, the warm afternoons are just right for bicycling, guided horseback rides, leisurely walks to the base of the falls, or hiking.
The half-mile walk to the base of Yosemite Falls is easy; a wheelchair accessible path is also available. Wear a rain slicker if you want to avoid getting wet.
The more strenuous hike up the Yosemite Falls trail takes you along switchbacks from the floor of the Valley all the way to the very rim. At 1,430 feet above the Valley, Yosemite Falls is the fifth highest waterfall in the world. This 7.2 mile roundtrip hike takes about 6 to 8 hours so you’ll want to have good hiking shoes and bring your own water bottle and, at least, a snack.
One of the most engaging walks in the Valley, however, is at Bridalveil waterfall. At its base, Bridalveil turns back into a creek running through relatively flat areas studded with granite boulders, dogwood, and ponderosa pines. In the early morning, the sun shimmers through the spaces between the pines. Mist rises from the warm ground circling the rocks and trees. And, the only sound is the chortling creek letting you know it is Fall in Yosemite.
For accommodations, go to Yosemite National Park on the web or type in Yosemite scenicwonders and do a search.
