The Weekend Warrior's Guide to Yosemite

Tips for unplugging in one of the most stunning (and well-traveled) national parks

By Stio

July 14^th, 2017

Words & Photography by Dan Shepler

Yosemite needs no introduction. This iconic destination is everywhere on the internet and social media is flooded with posts of people enjoying its beauty. While it is the third most visited national park, it doesn't take much to find yourself far from the crowds in places where legends like Ansel Adams and John Muir forged their own adventures, embarking on their quests for beauty and wilderness. This is your how-to guide for getting around the crowds and soaking up your time in the woods.

The scoop:

Where: Yosemite National Park

When: A weekend in early May, 2017

The Crew:

Dan Shepler
Ellen Whiting

The Gear:

Dan:

Ellen:

Where To Camp:

The Yosemite Valley is the main hub for the park. It is where the majority of the famous vistas, mountains, and waterfalls are located. It is also the best place to camp for easy access to a lot of the trailheads. For car camping, the Upper and Lower Pines Campgrounds are ideal. Be sure to make a reservation well in advance. These sites book up quickly, but permits can be purchased online up to five months in advance for roughly $26/night. Because of its popularity, Yosemite Valley is heavily regulated and there is absolutely no camping without a reservation or permit. The campgrounds are always full and you will likely be camping a few yards from your neighbors, but don't let that deter you from going. A lot of the campsites offer incredible views, so use them as a place to unwind, enjoy a drink, and recharge for next day’s adventures.

Where To Go When:

From the comfort of your car, you can drive the valley loop and be up close and personal with El Capitán, Half Dome, Bridevail Falls, and many others. There are places to pull off and take photos every couple hundred yards. This is a drive that you don’t want to miss, but don't fight the crowds. Wake up about 30 mins before sunrise, brew up some coffee, grab breakfast for the road and hit it. Drive the loop, take in the views and slow life down as the sun comes up. Don't rush this part of the trip. This drive boasts some of the most scenic views in the country. Snap a few photos for good measure.

Best Trails:

The waterfalls of Yosemite Valley are spectacular and are worth setting an early alarm or hiking a little further to view. Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls can be busy so try hitting these spots in the early morning. For a later morning start, there is a good trail up to Vernal and Nevada Falls that is just under 7 miles round trip. There is consistent traffic on this trail, but much less than you would encounter at the other falls. The Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is another good one. It is semi-strenuous, but the harder the hike, the less people on the trail. 4 Mile Trail is also worth burning some extra calories for. It rises up out of the valley and offers incredible views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls from a high vantage point.

Recipes For Camp:

To get the most out of your trip you have to eat well. There is no reason to skimp on the meals…after all you're on vacation. These are our personal favorite recipes for breakfast and dinner and can be easily cooked at camp.

Wild Man Breakfast Burrito:

Put a tablespoon or so of olive oil in the bottom of a pan. Chop up some sweet potatoes, yellow onion, and fresh garlic and get it cooking. Keep the stove temperature to medium heat for 5(ish) minutes, then add in some sausage or chorizo. Let that all cook for a couple of minutes before adding in green peppers, eggs, and diced tomatoes. It should take a few minutes for the eggs to finish cooking. Be sure to keep an eye on them and stir consistently so everything cooks evenly. Just before the the eggs are done drop in a handful of fresh cilantro and a pinch of sea salt to taste.

Tortilla tip! Put the tortilla in the pan with the lid on for about a minute. It will moisten it up and help prevent crumbling as you try and fit the hole thing in your mouth.

Yo-se-might Tacos:

Marinate a few chicken breasts in a taco seasoning of your choice in the morning before you hit the trails. Once you get back to camp, make yourself a Moscow Mule using fresh mint, lime, a craft ginger beer, and some good vodka. This will help give you motivation to cook. An ice cold Corona and lime will do the trick too. Once you have the strength, pull the chicken out and throw it on the grill. While it is cooking, cut up some tomatoes, cilantro, red onion, avocado, and limes. Pull the feta cheese out of the cooler and flip the chicken. Once the chicken is done, slice it up into strips and put it on a serving plate. The camp spots in the valley are all equipped with heavy duty picnic tables. Place everything on the table, refill your drink, and doctor up the tacos the way you like it.

Taco Tip! Don't use silverware to dish up the toppings, this is finger food and you're in the wilderness…live a little.

With just a few days to get after it, we opted for some of Yosemite's most iconic spots. In the height of the summer, these areas will surely fill up quick. But if you are willing to adapt, you can easily find that relaxing sense of solitude while exploring the vast and beautiful expanse of Yosemite Valley. A couple of days in the woods was just what we needed to unplug from the chiming of our phones and email inboxes, hitting that wilderness reset button... Yosemite, we will be back soon!