For Thanksgiving break we were going stir crazy and decided to head out and hit the road. This was a perfect road trip from San Diego with out 5 and 7 year old. We drove straight there. We were very lucky this year and had great weather. Most of the time during our hikes I did not even need a jacket.
We stayed one night at Tenaya Lodge. This would be a great place to stay if it was not COVID and all the activities, but due to the limited activities I wish we had just gone straight to Awahnee. If you do stay at Tenya getting one of the cabins is well worth it. Our friends got a cabin and we got a normal room thinking it was just for one night why spend the money on the upgrade. But, the cabins were great. They were like tiny homes. They had large firepits next to the cabins that the kids made s'mores that night, which was great because we did not have a place to do that in Awahnee.
We stayed at the oldest and most famous lodge in Yosemite, the Ahwahnee Hotel. Built in 1927, this five star hotel features an enormous Great Lounge and dining room – ideal for many grandiose events throughout the year – a striking granite façade, crafted log beam ceilings and a uniquely Native American décor. Throughout history famous celebrities have stayed here, and if you want to get a room in the summer season, you better book early. During COVID the dining room was closed but you could pick up your meals in the dining room and eat there or in your room. We found a perfect nook where we had a table for us and our family friends that traveled with us one floor above the dining room.
Unfortunately due to COVID the ice skating rink that would normally be open in Curry Village was closed. But, we brought our scooters and skate boards and scooted around the valley, which was great for the kids. We scooted every day to the village to grab hot chocolate.
Our first stop on our way into Yosemite was Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. This was a great hike. It’s located just inside the park’s south entrance. Due to COVID we had to park on the South parking lot. We walked all the way up to one of the oldest and most famous trees, the Grizzly Giant. In addition to being one of the oldest trees, the Grizzly Giant is also the second-largest tree in the grove. We did not continue our walk because the kids were ready to turn around, but if you continue your walk into the grove you will see the Faithful Couple trees up ahead. These two trees grew so close together their trunks have fused at the base. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for the Columbia tree. At 285 feet tall, this is the tallest tree in the grove and the tallest tree in Yosemite.
We stopped on our way down to the valley at Wawona Market for lunch. We grabbed some sandwiches and snacks and made a picnic of it.
Once we were done with the hike we got back into the car and took a break at the tunnel view to take in the amazing view. This is a classic photo spot that you probably recognize. This view of Yosemite Valley is stunning and probably the most famous viewpoint in the park.
This is your first opportunity to get those sensational photos you’ve been hoping for. There’s a parking lot right when you come out of the tunnel for you to park and walk over to the viewpoint! A stop at Tunnel View is a must on your way into Yosemite Valley. From the lookout at Tunnel View, you can see the massive face of El Capitan on the left, Half Dome jutting up in the distance, and Bridalveil Fall flowing over the high cliffs on the right.
Our last stop was Bridal Veil Falls. The trail was under construction but we were still able to walk to the base of the fall. In the winter there is still water at this fall and definitely the most of the three falls we went to.
On the other side of the road we could see the face of El Captain. Come during the night and you can see the climbers sleeping overnight. It was very cool.
Look at the stars and the mountain climbers at night. Also a drive around at night may bring animals that you may not have seen before.
The next morning we hiked to mirror lake. In the winter the lake is gone. But it was very cool to walk in the bed of the lake. This is an easy flat hike and a good one to ease the kids into hiking. It is only 2 miles to the lake and back.On the way if you do not take the paved path, which we did not on the way there you can make it a little longer and it is beautiful in the fall.
That afternoon after lunch we got on our scooters and skateboards we did a part of the Valley Loop Trail. The entire trail is 11.5 miles and takes you through several meadows and past some of the most dramatic cliffs in the valley. It also connects into Bridal Veil Falls and the Half Dome Village. We included on our ride the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail. This 1-mile loop will bring you to a small footbridge right at the base of the waterfall; in the winter there was barely a trickle of water. Having been there in the summer before I recall the spray and roar of the water, what a difference a season makes.
On this loop do not miss the Yosemite Chapel the oldest structure in Yosemite built in 1879.
When you are crossing Sentinel Bridge in your loop make sure to look our at half dome and see the reflection of half dome in Merced River. This is another amazing picture you have likely seen many times.
The next day we did Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls. We found if we got on the trails around 9 a.m. we avoided people. The Mist Trail is Yosemite’s iconic hiking trail and the most popular trail in the park. You can get up close with two spectacularly HUGE waterfalls and have marvelous views of the Merced River the whole way up. This hike is entirely uphill and requires some level of physical ability but my 5 and 7 year old completed it without a problem.
Beyond the bridge, the Mist Trail and the John Muir Trail diverge. Stay on the Mist Trail (although the JMT has a lot less people if you would prefer to choose that option and we did take it on the way back down because I did not want to do the stairs, its a touch longer but better on my knees). To reach the top of Vernal Falls follow the Mist Trail 0.5 miles up a steep granite stairway of over 600 steps. During the summer Mist Trail gets its name from the mist of the falls but in the winter it was a small waterfall.
This was a wonderful trip. The kids also loved meeting the ranger and completing their packets and earning their badges. My daughter now wants to get all the badges from all the national parks.
Don't forget to take in the moments. Look out for animals. Yosemite is the perfect quarantine COVID friendly road trip.
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