Yosemite's Grandeur: Chasing Sunrises, Miracles, and a Place to Sleep

Yosemite's Grandeur: Chasing Sunrises, Miracles, and a Place to Sleep

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 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.

The Golden Nugget 🌟
Don't Miss This: The sunrise from Glacier Point. Arrive in the dark, brave the chill, and watch as the first light of day creates glorious "God Rays" behind the iconic Half Dome. It's a truly spiritual experience.

TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO YOSEMITE'S WATERFALLS
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 search for "VR Getaway" to experience it in stunning 360!

"...As darkness descended, we sat at the base of El Capitan, watching the tiny headlamps of climbers twinkle to life as they settled into their hammocks, suspended thousands of feet above the valley floor..."

Adventure at a Glance

🏞️ Park:	Yosemite National Park, California
🚶‍♀️ Hike Difficulty:	Easy to Strenuous
⭐ Shauna's Rating:	💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)
☀️ Best For:	World-Famous Views, Epic Waterfalls, Challenging Hikes
⏳ Recommended Time:	2-3 Days to truly experience the valley.
🧭 Can't-Miss Sights:	Tunnel View (Sunset), Glacier Point (Sunrise), Mist Trail, Sentinel Dome

My Yosemite Story

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 fell, we sat at the base of El Capitan, watching the tiny headlamps of climbers twinkle to life as they settled into their hammocks, suspended thousands of feet above us. But with the awe came a pressing worry: where would we sleep? The park's campgrounds were full, and we knew the rangers were vigilant about ticketing.

Our grand plan to live out of our truck for a month was facing its biggest challenge yet. Todd was ready to start the long drive out of the park to search for a spot, but I had a crazy idea. With my kindest smile, I started walking through a campground, asking if anyone would let us pay to park in a corner of their site. After a few hard rejections, I struck gold! A kind man let us join his site, and we ended up forming a wonderful friendship. His kindness was a blessing, as a bout of stomach illness meant I couldn't be far from a restroom!

The next day, we joined our new friends for a paddle down the Merced River and discovered a hidden gem: the Half Dome Pizza at Curry Village is so good, I've since figured out the recipe! That evening, we made it to Glacier Point for one of the most memorable sunrises of my life: glorious "God Rays" bursting from behind Half Dome.

Fueled by the magic, we tackled the hike to Sentinel Dome for incredible 360-degree views. 

Down on the valley floor, we explored Bridalveil Fall, amazed at how the thundering water spiraled off the rocks. 

But the main event was the famous Mist Trail. The spring runoff was so insane it was less a "mist" and more a "full-fledged shower"! We got completely drenched climbing the 600 steep granite steps to the top of Vernal Fall. Reading about the many people who have lost their lives here chasing a photo, I felt so blessed to have my 360 camera on a long stick, safely capturing a view down the falls that few have ever seen.

The grueling climb continued up to the massive, 594-foot Nevada Fall. 

At the top, we rewarded ourselves by setting up our hammocks by the river for a much-needed rest. The journey down was an adventure in itself. To save his square kneecaps, my valiant Todd hiked the entire steep descent… backwards! It was a hilarious and triumphant end to a day that pushed us to our limits.

Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints

• ♦️ Timing is Everything: Arrive at Tunnel View well before sunset and at Glacier Point well before sunrise to get a parking spot and experience the best light.
• ♦️ Waterfall Safety: Spring runoff is powerful and the mist makes granite incredibly slippery. Stay behind all safety railings and admire the power from a safe distance.
• ♦️ The Mist Trail: This is a strenuous hike with over 600 steep, often wet, granite steps. Be prepared to get soaked by the spray from Vernal Fall!
• ♦️ Camping is a Challenge: Book campsites the day they become available (usually 5 months in advance). If you don't have a reservation, you will likely need to drive at least an hour outside the park.
• ♦️ Hidden Gem: Don't miss the Half Dome Pizza at Curry Village. It's the perfect reward after a long hike!

VR Video Treasure Hunt!

• 🔎 God Rays at Sunrise: Experience the incredible "God Rays" bursting from behind Half Dome as seen from Glacier Point.
• 🔎 Spiraling Water: Look for the unique patterns the water makes as it crashes down Bridalveil Fall.
• 🔎 A Backward Hike: See if you can spot Todd's unique (and knee-saving!) technique for descending the Mist Trail.
• 🔎 A View from the Top: Immerse yourself in the incredible 360-degree view looking straight down the massive Vernal Fall!

Conclusion

Life is a rollercoaster. Our time in Yosemite was filled with the highest highs and some truly stressful lows. But when bad things happen, there's no need to shake your hands at the sky and feel unloved. It's all part of the journey, part of the agency we fought so bravely for.

The only thing to do is to conquer the challenges you have in front of you the best you can and remember that being present for those around you is the real key to the journey. And if you find yourself in the dark, scared you won't get out, remember the man in the cave. 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.

This was just one stop on our epic California to Canada adventure. I believe that when we get a pull on our soul and chase it with a good heart, the universe helps us make those dreams come true. Thank you for joining us, and we hope you'll continue to follow our epic adventure!