Yosemite Reservations

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Hiking opportunities in California
| by Loreal Oliver | October 10, 2005
This article is brought to you by http://www.adventuretraveltips.com

If you are an adventure sports junkie and live for the next travel adventure that will give you an adrenaline rush, then try hiking in sunny California.You might have gone hiking before, but once you get a taste of the California hiking you wont want to go anywhere else.

California offers hiking trails through almost all imaginable and existing natural environs from high majestic mountains, beautiful alpine lakes, granite gorges, basalt formations, streaming rivers, to awe inspiring meadows and waterfalls.

The most fascinating, adventurous and popular hiking trails range from a hike through the legendary Yosemite National Park, through the scenic Devils Postpile National Monument, circling the famous rainbow falls; narrow trails in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and unforgettable hikes through desolation wilderness, bordering lake Tahoe.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite national park established in 1890 has some of the most challenging but beautiful hiking trails in California. The diverse trails can take you from a reconstructed Indian village; the banks of the Merced River; meadows surrounded by majestic mountains; to surging and cascading waterfalls and wondrous rock formations.

With over 840 miles of trail in the Yosemite national park, you can take your pick from a hike around the bottom of the valley or ones with a little elevated trail for the more adventurous hikers. Whichever way you decide to go, don’t forget to carry enough water and warm clothes with you to enjoy your trip.

Devils Postpile National Monument

Devils Postpile National Monument, located on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada was established in 1911. This national monument is home to the awe-inspiring basalt formations and the spectacular 101 foot high rainbow falls. The monument has several hiking trails culminating both these features as also the Joaquin River, flowing by. With camping facilities in a meadow, near minaret falls, soda springs and the actual basalt formations, the trails are ideal for families. The views that you get from almost every trail are breathtakingly beautiful.

The only precaution you’ll have to take is, use a metal bear box for storing food, as this is bear country.

Ansel Adams Wilderness

The Ansel Adams wilderness earlier known as Minarets Wilderness is located south of the Yosemite national park. The wilderness offers spectacular hikes through granite ridges surrounded by immaculate alpine flora and fauna. The trails lead through beautifully preserved and unspoiled lakes, where you can also enjoy fishing, summit hikes to any of the hills, or a trail on the edges of the San Joaquin River. The Pacific Crest and John Muir trails are some of the most popular hiking trails in this area. Other picturesque destinations are: 1,000 Island Lake, Garnet Lake, silver lake and Banner and Ritter Peaks.

Keep adequate supply of food, shelter and fishing gear on your must carry list when hiking in the Ansel Adams wilderness.

Desolation Wilderness

Desolation wilderness, located west of the Tahoe River is another great hiking area in the state of California. Some of the most popular hiking trails in desolation wilderness are: Wrights trail, Lake Sylvia, Velma Lakes trails, Fallen Leaf and Eagle Falls trails. With more than a 100 lakes and innumerable streams, fishing activities can also be arranged.

A visitor’s permit is required to visit the desolation wilderness all year round. Also, keep a portable stove with you to cook food, as open fires are not allowed.

So, get packing and explore the many wonderful hiking experiences that California has to offer.

To see more hiking related sites go to http://www.adventuretraveltips.com/Hiking/North_America/U_S_A_/index.html
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com

FUN IN YOSEMITE’S GREAT OUTDOORS
Robert N. Jenkins 1 July 2007 St. Petersburg Times
“The name ‘Yosemite’ is a lure, but people show up and wonder what to do once they get here, ” says Colin Baldock, an angular man with a ready smile and 23 years’ experience enjoying this national park.
Now the manager of guest recreation for a park almost as large as Pinellas and Hillsborough counties combined, Baldock intimately knows the experiences available. But it can take his listeners a minute or two to get past his Australian accent - and the fact that he was brought here to be an instructor at California’s original ski area.
Here are Baldock’s suggestions for ways Florida flatlanders can sample the variety of terrain in Yosemite’s 1, 169 square miles:
Raft a river: Take a 3 1/2-mile float on the Merced River, in four-person rafts. “Being on the Merced gives a totally different look at the park, ” says Baldock. “You go through meadows, woods, past cliffs; you can even pull off onto little beaches.
“If you want excitement, come early (in June), when the snowpack is melting; if you want to meander, come later in the season, ” but before Labor Day.

Climb a (big) rock: The park lures climbers from around the world. There are 80 routes just on the face of El Capitan, the 7, 569-foot tall granite dome jutting from the valley floor.
“Perched out on a rock, you have a different perspective - it’s exhilarating even just 60 feet up.” Classes for beginners, offered by the mountaineering school in Yosemite Valley, teach basic techniques on a sloped wall.
Take a hike: There are 800 miles of trails, and shuttle buses drop off casual walker and overland trekker at numerous points. Ranger-led trips accommodate all experience levels.
“I highly recommend taking the bus or driving up to Tuolumne (too-AHL-um-nay) Meadows (8, 575 feet elevation), because of the difference from the valley - more large granite domes, high mountain lakes. The beauty is very stark - it’s a photographer’s delight - and you’ll certainly get away from the crowds.”
Ride a horse: Stables are in three locations; trips last from two hours to a full day.
“You can ride up into the Merced River canyon, or to an overlook above Vernal Falls. But you have to have the leg strength to brace yourself in the stirrups on the trip back.”
Sample the winter: “This is a magical place when it’s snowing. We have a firepit outdoors, an ice rink surrounded by pine trees, you can see the alpenglow (the sunrise or sunset) on Half Dome, ” another of the granite monoliths in the valley.
The shuttle goes to Badger Pass, a family ski area that caters to beginners and intermediates, skiers and boarders alike. All chair lifts leave from the same place, and all ski trails end there.
The lifts are at an elevation of 7, 000 feet; the tops of the runs are at about 8, 000 feet. Cross-country trails are abundant, and snowshoeing has become popular.
“Badger Pass, ” adds the former ski instructor, “is very safe, which means it’s very relaxing.”