Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide about the hike up Pothole Dome in Yosemite National Park. Located along Tioga Road in the Tuolumne Meadows near the Tioga Pass Entrance, this is a great family friendly hiking trail and one of my top things to do in Yosemite's high country. Atop this granite feature we'll have spectacular views of Unicorn Peak, Cockscomb Peak, and the Cathedral Range.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to exploring the top things to do along a Tioga Pass road trip, one of the most underrated sections of Yosemite National Park. When Tioga Road opens for the season, there are so many places to go, including Olmsted Point with views of Half Dome, Tenaya Lake, Lembert Dome, Tuolomne Meadow, and multiple waterfalls that flow in late Spring / early Summer.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the Pohono Trail to Inspiration Point in Yosemite National Park. Inspiration Point and Artist Point are great alternatives to Tunnel View if you want to avoid crowds. This is a moderate hike and overlook spot to see El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall, and the Yosemite Valley. Photographers enjoy this viewpoint for sunrise and sunset.
Read MoreBookmark this Complete Guide to Yosemite Waterfalls for your next visit to Yosemite National Park. In this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide, you'll learn about all the major waterfalls found inside the park, along with details on hiking trails, viewpoints, and best times of year to visit. Take a virtual visit along the Mist Trail to Nevada & Vernal Falls, and to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the trail to Wapama Falls in the Hetch Hetchy area of Yosemite National Park. Located near the town of Groveland, this waterfall hike takes you alongside the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which was formed a century ago when the Hetch Hetchy Valley was flooded by the creation of the O'Shaughnessy Dam, providing water to the city of San Francisco.
Read MoreJoin me on the Flying Dawn Marie travel blog today as we explore the current flood conditions in Yosemite National Park. The Merced River is flooding the Yosemite Valley and almost touching the Swinging Bridge and Pohono Bridge. Waterfalls, such as Bridalveil Fall, Ribbon Fall, Horsetail Fall, the Cascades, and Yosemite Falls are roaring and can be enjoyed from many popular viewpoints.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Yosemite Valley during Firefall season. Learn what to do in Yosemite National Park on your visit, as well as see what parking, hiking, and setting up in the El Capitan Picnic Area looks like to witness the Horsetail Fall Firefall phenomenon. We'll also enjoy views from the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, Tunnel View, and Bridalveil Falls Trailhead.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide about hiking to Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park during Winter. This Yosemite Valley trail is a popular hike during snowy months. The pristine seasonal lake offers reflective views of Half Dome and many other granite formations in the Tenaya Canyon. This is an easy to moderate hike that is dog friendly and perfect for families near Curry Village.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the best trips in California to take in 2023. Listed out in this article are 6 top road trips to take during each season, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. We'll explore mountain adventures in Yosemite and Lassen Volcanic National Park, as well as beach destinations in Big Sur. We'll head to the desert to discover unique landscapes in Death Valley.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for a winter stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel Library Suite in Yosemite National Park during Christmas time. With views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point, this historic hotel is a great place to stay in Yosemite Valley. Visit the Dining Hall, Grand Lounge and Mural Room, and book guest rooms where Queen Elizabeth, JFK, and Barak Obama stayed.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for hiking the Mist Trail to the Vernal Fall Footbridge in the snow. There are many things to do in Yosemite during Winter, and taking this trail near Curry Village is a favorite. Along the way we'll see iconic Yosemite highlights such as Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and the roaring rapids of the Merced River.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to viewing the Yosemite Valley Firefall during the Fall season. More commonly enjoyed during Winter in February, the Firefall natural phenomenon happens when the sunset light hits Horsetail Fall on the side of El Capitan, creating a flame affect on the waterfall. On rare occasions, this event can be seen during Autumn in late October or early November.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting 3 National Parks in 1 day! This one day itinerary is a great California road trip idea, taking us from Yosemite Valley to Kings Canyon, and then ending in Sequoia National Park. We'll explore spots like Lower Yosemite Falls, Big Stump Trail, Grant Grove, General Sherman, Moro Rock, Hanging Rock, Tunnel Log, and Tunnel Rock.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking a section of the Pohono Trail and Old Wawona / Stagecoach Road to the Artist Point overlook in Yosemite National Park. Learn about trail info, such as distance / elevation gain, as well as how this viewpoint is a great alternative to Tunnel View since it is less crowded, and the hike can be combined with a similar view at Inspiration Point.
Read MoreToday I'm in Yosemite National Park with my dog exploring all the pet friendly spots in the park. Read this full travel guide to enjoying the best dog friendly activities, hiking trails, viewpoints, and hotels. Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, Cooks & Sentinel Meadows, Half Dome views from Glacier Point, and the hike to Mirror Lake are just a few of the dog friendly locations we're exploring today.
Read MoreToday we're in Yosemite National Park enjoying Olmsted Point along Tioga Road. We'll check out views of Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and Tenaya Lake from multiple overlooks, including a bonus hike.
Read MoreToday we're hiking around Tenaya Lake, the largest lake in Yosemite National Park. This high altitude lake off Tioga Road offers stunning reflections of the surrounding granite peaks, and is open to swimming, kayaking, and picnicking.
Read MoreThis week we're exploring a lesser known waterfall in Yosemite National Park found near the small town of Wawona, California. Chilnualna Falls is made of five large drops over giant granite formations above the Wawona basin, and today we'll be hiking the short trail to the lower section.
Read MoreToday we're taking a look at 9 of my favorite hikes in each of the 9 national parks found in California. I'm also including the top 5 trails in each park to equip you as you head out on your next adventure. Join me as we head out to Yosemite, Redwood, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Death Valley, Channel Islands, Pinnacles, and Joshua Tree.
Read MoreToday we're exploring two lesser known waterfalls in Yosemite National Park near the El Portal Arch Rock Entrance. Wildcat Falls and Cascade Falls are a series of waterfalls that plunge into the Merced Gorge, and can be viewed with minimal hiking.
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