Known the world over for its great granite cliffs and domes, enormous waterfalls and giant sequoias, Yosemite is everything a national park should be and more. Such well known Yosemite Valley destinations as Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall,YosemiteFalls and Half Dome are magnets for hikers. Equally attractive are many more sights outside the valley: Tuolomne Meadows, CathedralPeak, Clouds Rest, the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees and many more.

The park boasts a magnificent High Sierra backcountry, one that (by rather severe Sierra standards anyway) is quite accessible. Well-marked trails lead to wildflower-festooned alpine meadows, lovely lakes and tarns, trails and cross-country routes to peaks.