Can you die without walking? Trip to American National Parks (1) Beginners OK Yosemite Great View Trail 《Tuff Points and Sentinel Dome》

American national parks are hiking heaven

hello everyone. My name is Kato Sayaka and I live in San Francisco, USA and I work as a tour coordinator and hiking guide. This time, I would like to share information about hiking in America, which has its majestic land and nature, and among them, I sincerely recommend Yosemite National Park.

Hiking in America?

How can I not speak the language?

How can I not drive a car overseas?

How do you get to Yosemite National Park in the first place?

I'm sure many people feel that hiking abroad is a high hurdle.

But that's not the case. If you do your research, there's nothing difficult about it! It's almost the same as hiking in Japan. Due to its wide land, America has a majestic view of the country, and there are a total of 59 national parks, with a wide range of long and short trails available, from beginners to healthy people. Visitors can plan a variety of trips according to their goals and orientation. There is a beauty that is different from that of Japan.

I hope you will come and experience more American nature there! So, we will provide you with useful information for those who are about to visit Yosemite.

In the United States, which created national parks, it is easy to access to the park, with highways passing relatively close to each other, and its accommodation and communications covering is much more convenient than other countries.

I want you to experience it at least once before you die, and I've been captivated by the great nature of America.

The United States has 25 times the area of ​​Japan. The vast and diverse climates of the region are filled with long-established natural art. With its spectacular views, World Heritage Sites and national parks, the heartbeat of nature that people can imagine is spreading through it.

In particular, I was acquainted with mountain climbing since I was in Japan, and was captivated by a great opportunity to decide how to live my life, California, which is blessed with rich nature. On the west coast is Yosemite National Park, where beautiful valleys are spread out due to erosion of glacial glaciers, and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, home to the world's largest giant tree. Plants that are over 2000 years old continue to live here. There is a place where you can experience the eternal time.

General information to visit Yosemite National Park

What is Yosemite like?

Yosemite National Park is a national park rich in nature located in the West Coast of the United States, California. This park is a beautiful valley built by glaciers, and is full of attractions, including El Capitan, a popular destination among climbers, and the Half Dome, a symbol of Yosemite. The view from Glacier Point, which opens from May to June when the snow melts every year until around November, until the snow falls in earnest. And the numerous hiking trails within the park continue to attract many hikers. Rather than a day trip, we hope you will stay overnight and fully enjoy the impressive natural art that has been built over the years in Yosemite National Park.

One of Yosemite's charms is that it is completely different views from season to season, including spring, summer, autumn and winter.

If you want to see the waterfalls, we recommend March to June, where there is a lot of melting snow.

For those who want to enjoy hiking, the snow will melt and all roads will open from May to June. (The opening period varies depending on the amount of snow that year.)

Autumn is a time of year when the yellow leaves envelop the mountains and the colourful trees are very beautiful. .

There are few people in the winter, so you can enjoy yourself and your natural space in the quiet Yosemite Valley, wrapped in snow.

With over 4 million tourists visiting each year, once you visit, you'll be sure to understand why people come back here many times.

How to get to Yosemite National Park (from San Francisco to Park)

The nearest major airport is San Francisco. There are direct flights from Japan, Japan Airlines, ANA and United.

The fastest way to get to the San Francisco to Yosemite National Park Visitor Center is to rent a car, but if you are unfamiliar with long-distance car travel, you can also take Amtrak (railway) and bus from the city.

If you go by car

It is about 4 hours from San Francisco by car (or a local tour, etc.). (Approx. 300km)

If you go by train or bus

American national parks are recommended to travel by car, including the convenience and shortening travel times, but public transport is also available.

When you go from San Francisco to Yosemite, you must first go to Merced, and there are several ways to get there, but we will recommend and introduce you to some simple ways to get there.

Directions 1

You can purchase tickets from San Francisco to Yosemite in bulk on the Amtrak website.

First, you will take the bus run by Amtrak from the Ferry Building in San Francisco to Emeryville . (Emilyville travels from San Francisco across the Bay Bridge)

Emeryville , we took a train called Amtrack train and headed to Merced.

Once you arrive at Merced, you will need to take a bus called YARTS and head to Yosemite National Park.

Directions 2

From San Francisco, take the BART to the Richmond line, then head to Richmond, the final stop, and then take the Amtrak train that leaves there to Merced. You can then take the YARTS bus to Yosemite National Park.

There are buses that connect Merced (Merced/San Joaquin line) to Yosemite Lodge several times a day (there are approximately 6 to 7 hours). You can book trains and buses in advance via the web.

When is the best time to travel or hike?　

Yosemite Park is open 365 days a year. It shows a variety of expressions depending on the season, so it is attractive no matter what time of year or season you visit. Camping is also a big hit in the summer, autumn leaves are season, and in winter you can see the snow-covered valley.

The melted snowfall in Yosemite falls into waterfalls, and the waterfall volume is the most common, spring from early April to late May, is the time when the waterfall volume is the most common in the year. If it's a tourist, it's highly recommended during this time of year.

The full-scale hiking season begins from the end of June to the end of October when the melted snow water calms down. If you are avoiding the busy summer holidays for American children, May, September, October, and November may be the best season to hike.

Recommended outfits for walking around Yosemite National Park

Clothes (spring & fall)

When it comes to spring and autumn weather in Yosemite National Park, you should be aware of the difference in temperature between day and night. Even though it is warm during the day, the sun will turn bright, and the temperature will drop dramatically as the sun goes down, so don't let your guard down. Regardless of the weather forecast, put something you can put on over your luggage, such as a jacket or hoodie. Shawls and other items are also very useful here.

In addition, rain increases in early spring and late autumn. When wet in the rain, the temperature will drop, so don't forget to bring some rain gear such as folding umbrellas and rainwear.

Clothes (summer)

In the summer, when daytime temperatures rise to around 30°C, T-shirts and shorts are generally OK. However, you must thoroughly protect your skin with insect repellent sprays and sunscreen. Also, since it is more sun-shining than in Japan, it is prone to sunburn and dry skin and hair, making it easy to become dry and dry. Long pants, thin long sleeve shirts, hats, etc. are recommended to protect against UV rays.

Many areas are not paved, so make sure to have sturdy sneakers and trekking shoes that are easy to walk in. When hiking, be sure to wear trekking shoes for your luggage.

Bring a backpack when hiking. It's best to carry it in a backpack or something with both hands free. The sun is strong when the weather is nice, so don't forget to wear UV protection items such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats, as well as hoodies and windbreakers that you can wear if you're staying until the night.

Clothes (winter)

It is covered in snow during this time of year, so hiking is not possible. The silver world in the middle of winter engulfs the area, and the temperatures are lower due to the high altitude. Be especially careful about clothing in Yosemite National Park, where rainy and snowy weather is frequented during the winter. Not only do you wear outerwear such as coats, down jackets, and scarves, but also warm innerwear such as turtlenecks and sweaters to ensure you are protected from cold weather. As there is snow piling up, don't forget to bring boots, gloves, knit caps, etc. under your feet. Hokkairo is very useful.

Do you need to proceed in advance to enter the park?

There is no particular procedure required. Some trails require permission if you are walking long-distance trails deep inside the park, but there is no special procedure for entering Yosemite National Park.

What is the admission fee?

If you are visiting by car, such as a rental car, the admission fee to the park is $30 per car. (As of June 2019. $25 per motorcycle; $15 per person for walking and bicycles *Free for those under 15 years old).

There is a toll gate at the entrance to the park, and there are park rangers, so you will have to pay and enter the park.

What are the prohibited things you should be careful about, and what should you be particularly concerned about?

There are several rules that should be followed in national parks to maintain beautiful parks and not destroy ecosystems. Be careful, under the supervision of a park ranger, if you commit a violation, you will be subject to a fine. Here are two of the most basic rules:

*Take Nothing but Pictures; Leave Nothing but Footprints

Nothing except for photos, no leaving anything except footprints

This means not to take anything from the park home, and not to leave anything in the park, including trash.

*Help Wildlife Stay Alive and Wild

Keeping the lives of wild animals intact

All the animals you see in the park are wild. No matter how cute you are, never get close to it. Don't touch it, don't try to feed it, don't be surprised. And throwing trash in places other than the designated trash can also change their lives.

Other detailed rules and specific safety advice are available in detail on the page below, so it is a good idea to read as much as possible (in English).

• Tips for a Fun Visit
• Laws & Policies

What information centers are there in the national park? Can I replenish my food and equipment?

Unlike Japan, American national parks are characterized by a wide range of facilities and informational spots to help you enjoy the nature of the park, tailored to the interests of each visitor. In Yosemite, if you go to Yosemite Village, located in the Yosemite Valley, in the heart of the park, you'll find a variety of facilities, including recommended information and latest information, a visitor centre with tour desks and hiking guides, a supermarket, restaurant, bookstore, and post office. When you arrive in Yosemite, we recommend that you stop by here to get useful information, missing equipment and items for sightseeing. There are plenty of souvenirs too!

There is also an accommodation facility called Yosemite Lodge, where like Yosemite Village, there is a shuttle bus stop, a cafeteria, souvenir shops, Starbucks, and many people take the shuttle bus around, head to the hiking trailhead, have lunch, and take a break.

What's convenient to carry on hiking

• Cold weather wear that can adjust the temperature
• Trekking shoes
• hat
• sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Drinks (more in the summer)
• Snacks and more for eating while hiking
• If you have a regular medicine, first aid such as medicine or band-aid
• Headlight
• rain gear

What kind of accommodation is there? Where should I stay? Hotel? Lodge? camp?

The park has lodges, hotels and camping spaces. Or you can also choose from lodges and hotels outside the park. However, during the high season (spring and summer), no place to stay will be available unless you make a reservation at least two months in advance. There are few accommodation facilities in the park that are worth the needs (it's in the wilderness, so it's impossible to make a reservation even six months in advance). There are many private lodgings such as Airbnb in the United States, so we recommend it.

Accommodations in the park can be searched and booked for availability at http://www.yosemitepark.com/. Reservations can be made one year before staying. It's overwhelmingly easy to access tourist spots.

If you're visiting Yosemite, you should visit this place! Hidden hiking routes

With the basic information in mind, we'll be introducing the hiking routes of Taft Point and Sentinel Dome, which are hidden gems in Yosemite National Park.

《Tuff Points and Sentinel Dome》For beginners

Tuft Points

• DISTANCE 2.3 miles (Distance approx. 3.5 km)
• ELEVATION GAIN 374 feet (altitude difference approx. 113m)

Sentinel Dome　

• DISTANCE 2.1 miles (Distance approx. 3 km)
• ELEVATION GAIN 456 feet (Altitude difference approx. 138m)

The popular viewpoint "Glacier Point" is a place where you can see the Half Dome up close, about an hour drive from Yosemite Valley. The trail starts at a parking lot about two miles before Glacier Point.

The two trails have the same trailhead (trailhead) so the parking lot will be the same. Both start in the same parking lot, but head in the opposite direction.

A cliff overlooking Yosemite Valley. It is a place with a thrilling view, but it is also popular because even beginners can feel at ease.

The trail is a beginner level with almost no undulations and can be walked in just 30 minutes each way. If you are in Yosemite, please stop by Taft Point, the Sentinel Dome, where you can enjoy a huge 360-degree panoramic view.

All trails heading to Tuft Point and Sentinel Dome are easy to walk and are family friendly.

From Taft Point, the monolithic El Capitan, popular with climbers, stands directly in front of you, and the view of the Yosemite Valley valley bottom, 1,067 meters below your feet, is a thrilling experience.

The Sentinel Dome offers views of the nearly 4,000m mountains of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which are not visible from Glacier Point.

Glacier Point Road, which leads here, is only open from mid-May to mid-November (the period when roads open varies depending on the year), and is closed to deep snow in winter, so be sure to check when you come here.

Taft Point and Sentinel Dome hiking are available for day trips from San Francisco. Spread the sandwich here and eat it with a special taste. This is one of the points that you would definitely want to bring your guests with you.

Kato Sayaka

Leave your Yosemite hiking to us. Due to my father's influence, I have always loved outdoor activities, and since I was in Japan, I was captivated by the great nature of America and Canada, and as a result, I arrived at the United States, which I had longed for. We currently run ANAMI TOURS, which offers local optional tours that can be created with customers, including completely private hiking tours with Japanese guides. We will introduce you to some special options that you can find out because you are a local resident. If you are interested, please visit the website below.

ANAMI TOURS https://www.anamitours.com/