How to See Five Cool Things at Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park, one of the oldest and most beloved wilderness parks in North America, is famous for waterfalls, deep valleys, sprawling meadows, and giant ancient sequoias. If you are planning a trip to one of California's greatest treasures, you are sure to see far more than just five cool things.

Instructions

1. Take a look at the highest waterfalls in the States, Yosemite Falls, measuring 2,425 feet high. you can journey to the base of the waterfalls on a short trail that begins at the Yosemite Village center, and then if tough enough, climb the 3 1/2-mile incline to the top.

2. See multiple cool things at the Mariposa Grove, where you can get up close and personal with the Giant Sequoias as well as many birds, flowers and butterflies. From the parking area you can take a tram tour with a stop at the visitor center, or just grab a map and follow your own trail.

3. Check out the icon of Yosemite National Park made famous by photographer Ansel Adams, the Half Dome. Rising more than 4,500 feet above the valley, this giant rock dome was literally dragged to the Valley by a melting glacier. You can simply enjoy the view from afar, hike the 17 miles to the top and back or get serious with your rock climbing and scale the face.

4. Look straight up to see the world's largest granite monolith, El Capitan. One of the most famous locations for rock climbing in the U.S., you are sure to see a number of adventurers making their way up the rock face on just about any day of the week.

5. Get tunnel vision as you gaze at a number of cool things Yosemite has to offer. Just before you enter the Wawona Tunnel that leads to Highway 41, stop in the parking lot for a spectacular view of El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rock and Bridalveil in one breathtaking panorama.