“No temple made with human hands can compare with Yosemite.” – John Muir
Yosemite is the size of Road Island, has the highest waterfall in Northern America, and the tallest and largest single granite monolith in the world known as El Capitan. Yosemite Valley is absolutely breathtaking. No beautiful words or pictures can do Yosemite Valley justice. We live in California and this is our 3rd time visiting Yosemite and I never really appreciated Yosemite National Park until we hiked from Glacier Point down to Yosemite Valley. There is something so magical about walking this trail, you have to walk it yourself to understand what I mean.
We walked downhill and all four of our children walked the entire time (even our 5 year old). This hike is 4.8 miles long. It will take you anywhere from 3 to 5 hours to complete this hike, depending on how fast or slow you walk. It is a difficult hike even if your only walking downhill because you have to break a lot. Going downhill is the best option when hiking with children.
The views of the Valley and Illilouette Fall were breathtaking.
We bought our tickets by calling 1-888-413-8869. The tour meets at the lobby entrance of Yosemite Valley Lodge. You actually have to go inside the lodge and get your tickets printed out.
You want to arrive early when visiting Yosemite in order to find parking. Before our bus tour, we stopped by Cathedral Beach which is along the Merced River. The beautiful El Capitan which is the largest single piece of granite (3,000 feet) on Earth will be all yours to feast your eyes on.
“We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us.” – unknown
Nikki Crump
You are right! This is breathtaking! The picture of you sitting on the cliff makes my heart pound! LOL. Thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures!
Bree
These are gorgeous pictures!! I can’t wait until I can do some family camping trips!
Jennifer DeFrates/Heaven Not Harvard
What a great family experience! And your pictures are great! I hope we can do that someday soon!
Rachel
Those are gorgeous! Would love to visit there myself! When the kids are old enough to hike, that is. 🙂
Ashley Moore
Your post always make me itch for an adventure! I’ve always wanted to go here and explore so this hike will definitely be added to my lists of to dos. I hope to be able to fill my children’s lives with nature and beauty as you do with all of your family outings 🙂 so beautiful!
Nicole
WOW What a beautiful place to spend the day hiking!! The views are utterly breathtaking!!! We are hoping in the next year or 2 to be able to drive out west to visit Yosemite, my mother in law in Mesa, AZ, and make a few other stops. Flying with 8 people just isn’t an option. We will have to add this hike to our list of things to do. You are very lucky to have such beautiful places near you to explore, and your family is lucky enough to have such awesome parents who realize the importance of exploring in the fresh air!! I pray you have a blessed week!!