NATIONAL PARKS • VAN LIFE • LEGENDS

Yosemite's Grandeur: Chasing Sunrises & Miracles

A story of granite giants, thundering waterfalls, and the kindness of strangers.

⚡ The Quick Scoop

The Vibe: Epic scale, thundering water, and humbling beauty.

Must Hike: The Mist Trail (prepare to get soaked!).

Best View: Glacier Point at Sunrise (beat the crowds).

Hidden Gem: Half Dome Pizza at Curry Village.

Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5/5 - A Place of Legends)

Yosemite National Park is a place of legends, and our visit was a story in itself—a true adventure that pushed our gear, our nerves, and my husband's knees to their absolute limits.

From watching climbers sleep on the vertical face of El Capitan to a desperate search for a campsite and witnessing a miraculous sunrise, this is the story of our unforgettable journey through one of America's most iconic landscapes.

Part I: Land of Giants

Tunnel View & El Capitan

Our welcome to Yosemite was cinematic. We arrived at the legendary Tunnel View just in time for sunset, joining an eager crowd to watch the last light of day paint Bridalveil Fall in brilliant color.

As darkness descended, we sat at the base of El Capitan. It is hard to describe the scale of this rock until you see the "stars" on the cliff face.

🌟 The Vertical Campers

Bridalveil Falls Yosemite

Those weren't stars—they were headlamps. The vibe at the base was electric; people were pointing out their buddies on the wall, and some were even on the phone with climbers 2,000 feet up!

Watching them settle into their portaledges (hanging hammocks), I felt a strange pang of jealousy. They had figured out the ultimate hack: How to camp in Yosemite without the rat race! While we stressed about finding a spot on the ground, they were sleeping peacefully in the sky.

Part II: The Struggle

A Place to Sleep

With the awe came a pressing worry: where would we sleep? The park's campgrounds were full (booked 5 months ago!), and we knew the rangers were vigilant about ticketing illegal parkers.

Our grand plan to live out of our truck was facing its biggest challenge. Todd was ready to drive the long hour out of the park, but I had a crazy idea.

📖 Traveler's Tale: Meeting Wade

With my kindest smile, I started walking through a campground, asking strangers if they would let us pay to park in a corner of their site. Rejection is hard, and I got a few firm "No's."

But then, I struck gold. A kind dad named Wade (with two adorable red-headed kids) listened to our plight and let us join his site! His kindness was a literal blessing, as I was fighting a bout of stomach illness and needed to be near a restroom. It turns out, angels sometimes look like tired dads camping in Yosemite.

Part III: The Chill

Floating the Merced & Sentinel Dome

Floating down the Merced River in Yosemite

Floating Down Merced River to see Yosemite Falls

The next morning, we joined our new friend Wade and his family for a float down the Merced River. Seeing the valley from the water offers a totally different perspective—you drift past the base of the granite giants, looking up in silence. It was the perfect, peaceful counter-balance to the stress of the night before.

👃 Sensory Detail: The Butterscotch Trees

As you hike in Yosemite, stop and sniff the bark of the massive Ponderosa Pines (the ones with the puzzle-piece bark). When the sun warms them up, they smell exactly like butterscotch or vanilla. It is one of the most delicious secrets of the Sierra Nevada!

Fueled by the magic (and the smell of butterscotch), we tackled the hike to Sentinel Dome. While Half Dome gets all the fame, Sentinel Dome might actually be better. Why? Because from the top of Sentinel, you get a 360-degree view that includes Half Dome!

The Summit Puzzle 🌟

Sentinal Dome 360 Views Yosemite

Walking around the top of Sentinel Dome is like solving a landscape puzzle. Because it is a round dome, you have to walk to each edge to piece the park together.

"Is that Yosemite Falls over there? Where is Nevada Fall?" It is the best place in the park to orient yourself and see how all the giants fit together.

Part IV: Into the Spray

The Mist Trail Marathon

Totally Soaked from the Vernal Falls Mist Trail

We couldn't leave without tackling the famous Mist Trail. The spring runoff was so insane it was less a "mist" and more a "fire hose"! We wore raincoats, but it didn't matter—we were soaked to the bone. Thankfully, the sun came out later to dry us off.

We climbed 600 steep, wet granite steps to the top of Vernal Fall. I felt so blessed to have my 360 camera on a long stick, allowing me to safely capture the view down the thundering falls without risking my life on the slippery edge.

⚠️ Danger: Don't Jump the Rail

Looking down on Vernal Falls from Loop Trail

Looking Down on Vernal Falls Yosemite

While we were resting at the top of Nevada Falls, we saw two guys jump the safety rail to get "the perfect shot." It was terrifying to watch.

There is a famous book called "Death in Yosemite" for a reason—the granite is slippery and the water is unforgiving. Please, stay safe and stay behind the rails!

The "Loop Trail" view looking down on Vernal Falls (and the slippery cliffs!).

🚶‍♂️ The Backward Hike (The Loop of Regret)

Looking down the 600 foot drop of Nevada Falls Yosemite

We decided to take the "Loop Trail" down to avoid the slippery stairs. I thought it would be easier on the knees. I was wrong.

This route forces you to climb higher before you go down, ending up way above Half Dome. It added miles to the trip. Todd’s knees were in agony, so he hiked the entire 7-mile descent... backwards! I think he was cursing my name a little bit on that trail, but the views were undeniably spectacular.

Part V: The Reward

The Half Dome Pizza

After miles of hiking (and backward walking), we discovered a hidden gem at Curry Village. The Pizza Deck. Maybe it was the hunger, or maybe it was the view of Half Dome right from our table, but that pizza was incredible.

🍕 Shauna's Copycat Recipe

I loved it so much I recreated it at home! Here is the secret to the best pizza ever:

Base: Flatbread or Pita.
Sauce & Cheese: Marinara, Mozzarella, Salami, Pepperoni, & Thin Garlic Slices.
The Secret Weapon: Dollops of Ricotta Cheese on top.
The Finish: Warm up Honey & Chili Oil (Hot Honey) and drizzle it over the pie. Sprinkle with garlic salt, red pepper flakes, and parmesan.

Bake until the Ricotta is golden. You will never look at pizza the same way again!

Part VI: The Magic Hour

Sunrise at Glacier Point

This was the highlight of the trip. We woke up in the dark and drove up to Glacier Point before the sun cracked the horizon. It was chilly, but the anticipation kept us warm.

As the sun began to rise, something magical happened. Glorious "God Rays" burst from behind Half Dome, illuminating the valley floor thousands of feet below. It was a spiritual experience, watching the light slowly touch the peaks one by one.

Worth the Wake-Up 🌟

Glacier Point Sunrise Yosemite

Pro Tip: Most people go for sunset, which means sunrise is quiet, peaceful, and parking is easy. Bring a blanket and a thermos of coffee, and enjoy one of the best shows on earth.

Part VII: Virtual Reality

Transport Yourself

With my extra-long selfie stick, I was able to safely capture views of Yosemite's waterfalls in all their thundering spring glory—a perspective many have risked their lives for. Put on your VR headset and experience it in stunning 360!

Fun Fact: My "stick" was so long that YouTube actually flagged my video thinking I was flying a drone illegally in a National Park! I had to appeal and prove it was just a really, really long pole!

🔎 VR Treasure Hunt

God Rays: Look for the "God Rays" bursting from behind Half Dome at sunrise.
The Spiral: Watch the unique way the water spirals as it crashes down Bridalveil Fall.
Backward Todd: Can you spot Todd hiking backward down the trail?
The Edge: Experience the view looking straight down Vernal Fall (safely!).

Prefer a cinematic view? Watch the flat screen version below!

Part VIII: Interactive Guide

✨ Ask the AI Park Ranger

Got a question about planning your own trip to Yosemite? Wondering about the Mist Trail stairs or where to get pizza? Ask our AI Ranger!

Part VIII: Know Before You Go

Shauna's Survival Guide

⏰ Beat the Crowds: Arrive at Tunnel View well before sunset and at Glacier Point well before sunrise (we're talking 5 AM) to get parking.
🌧️ Mist Trail Gear: You WILL get wet. Bring a poncho or a change of clothes if you plan to go all the way to Vernal Fall. The granite is slippery—wear shoes with good grip.
⛺ Camping Reality: Campsites book up 5 months in advance, instantly. If you don't have a reservation, be prepared to drive an hour out of the park or try your luck asking (politely!) like we did.

Conquering the Darkness

Life is a rollercoaster. Our time in Yosemite was filled with the highest highs and some stressful lows. But when you find yourself in the dark, scared you won't get out, remember the climbers on the wall.

Your little stream is in your heart. Just have hope that there is help out there, and keep taking one step further following that light. It will always lead you out of the darkness.

Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna from VRGetaway