Yosemite Valley

The valley is the most famous section of Yosemite because of its beauty and drama. Another reason for its popularity is that it is quite easy to visit. The millions of visitors who come here, especially during the summer months, create heavy traffic. Because of that, private vehicles are banned (except for registered hotel guests) beyond the Curry Village area. A shuttle bus service operates throughout the valley. The shuttles operate every 10 minutes from mid-June through mid-September. Frequencies decrease to every 20 minutes in the early morning and evening. There are 19 stops within the valley, including just about every major important point of interest.

The valley is approximately seven miles long and has an average width of only three-quarters of a mile. The Merced River flows through the valley’s sheer granite walls, and is famous for its many waterfalls. These walls often rise more than 3,000 feet above the valley floor.

Seeing the valley is easy because it is extremely flat – you can walk along it as you would along a street in your home town. Roads are generally one-way (the south side road is eastbound and the north side is westbound).

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls is truly an awesome sight. The Upper Falls drop an incredible 1,430 feet in one fell swoop, while the Lower Falls plunge another 320. Including some smaller intervening cascades, the total drop is 2,425 feet, almost half a mile. (Imagine, if you will, water dropping from the top of two World Trade Centers piled on top of one another – that is roughly the distance involved.). A short and easy trail (a half-mile) leads through a thickly forested area to the base of the falls.

More Sights in Yosemite Valley

The valley has several other major waterfalls ranging in height from 317 feet to 1,612 feet. The ones that you should see close up are Vernal Falls, Illilouette Falls, Nevada Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Ribbon Falls. Generally short trails of about a half-mile lead from the road to each of them and, take our word – you won’t get tired of seeing so many.

The walls of the valley (domes and pinnacles, to use the proper geological terms) are just as famous as the waterfalls. The best known is, of course, El Capitan, whose smooth surface rises 3,600 feet and is so close to the road that you can easily walk up and touch it. (Many people also climb El Capitan!) Other significant similar features are the Half Dome, North Dome, Cathedral Spires and the Three Brothers. They are all easy to spot and a visit to the valley isn’t complete unless you’ve seen them all.

Yosemite is also home to Mirror Lake in the easternmost portion of the valley. The shuttle bus ends about one mile before reaching this point, but you can continue on foot. You will not be disappointed with the beautiful image of the nearby mountain peaks reflected in the lake.

Finally, on the more mundane side, you’ll find the Valley Visitor Center, along with some other facilities. These include the Ansel Adams Gallery, the Yosemite Museum and the LeConte Lodge, where educational programs are held. The valley is also where many of the park’s special activities originate. Allow at least five hours for exploring the valley.