From atop Sentinel Dome, Yosemite Valley is a deep trough in an ocean filled with granite waves in all directions.
At 8,122 feet above sea level, the view is of crags and domes of granite, patches of pines and scrub clinging to the rock, and a few shining slivers that are distant waterfalls. The sky is true azure blue and fluffy white clouds race overhead.
Far below, the Valley’s Ahwahnee Hotel looks like it’s made of Legos. Clusters of tiny cars clog pencil-thin roads. It’s crowded down there. But not up here on Sentinel Dome. There are a few day hikers, like us, a couple of serious photographers, and a pair of out-of-breath parents racing their kids up the last few feet to the summit.
In fact, the Glacier Point and Wawona areas in Yosemite’s high country are surprisingly crowd-free on this busy weekend. Most visitors are driving to or from the Valley.

The waterfalls are pounding and the cables that lead hikers up the face of Half Dome are open at Yosemite National Park. Los Angeles Times writer Julie Sheer spent some time exploring peak season for Bridalveil, Vernal, Nevada and Illilouette falls, and let’s just say hikers should be prepared to get soaked. Of course there’s still snow around too — like in the backcountry, along the main road to Glacier Point and blocking the trail to Sentinel Dome.

Yosemite National Park is one of the most renowned and popular national parks of United States. The park stretches along the eastern part of the California state covering more than 1000 sq miles, with an assortment of multiple waterfalls, rivers, lakes, cliffs and valleys. It is also pretty much famous for the amazingly tall sequoia trees, some of which are alive for more than 3000 years. The park is a home to abundant wildlife including a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Adventure lover tourists can engage themselves in various activities like climbing, hiking, camping, cross-country skiing and many more.