Yosemite, with kids
Categories: Places to go
I used to go to Yosemite several times a year. I didn't actually live there the way some of the serious rock junkies did, but I was there a lot. I even used to lead groups on backpacking trips for the Sierra Club. In fact, about the only time I ever had to go to court, it was a federal court there in Yosemite Valley. Other than to go to court and to reach a trailhead, however, I didn't spend a whole lot of time in the more "civilized" parts of the park. Mostly, I spent my time in the backcountry.Then my mother died and I spent the next five (wonderful) years hanging with my dad, then my kids were born... Basically, I haven't been back to Yosemite since September, 1995 -- ten years ago.
Tomorrow morning, I'm headed back to Yosemite. This time, however, I'll be staying in a house with all the amenities. And I'll have the kids along. We're staying in the South end of the park at a place recommended by a friend. This will be a very different Yosemite experience for me, neither better nor worse, just different.
So, instead of traipsing off into the backcountry and climbing half dome or hitting the natural waterslide, we'll be touring the valley, going to glacier point, and riding the rails. Same place I love, but I'll be seeing it in a brand new way. I think that that's a big part of being a parent -- sharing what you love with your kids and, in return, being shown it in a brand new light.
This makes me wonder, what have you shared with your kids, only to gain a fresh perspective on it? Is there something you've revisited in a whole new way, now that you have kids? Is there something we shouldn't miss in Yosemite?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
elsimom 7-03-2006 @ 3:07PM
Given your knowledge of Yosemite, I'm sure you're familiar with it, but when I was about 20, travelling with my 'rents and younger siblings, we drove up the road to the upper meadows there. Unlike the "bottom"/valley portion of the park, there were remarkably few people there, and it was absolutely gorgeous. I remember it taking more than an hour to get all the way up, but it was SO worth it, AND, some great, family-friendly trailheads accessible by car. enjoy!
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Phc 7-03-2006 @ 5:34PM
I don't know how old your kids are, but having gone to Yosemite every summer since I was three, my "kid" recommendations are:
1. The Junior Ranger program (gives the adults a day to themselves).
2. Horseback riding
3. Rafting down the Merced (pick up the rafts in Curry Village- there is NO white water- you really have to paddle your way down, so not risky)
4. All the small hikes- Lower Yosemite, Tualomme Lake, etc.
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Uncle Roger 7-03-2006 @ 7:11PM
Elsimom -- I think you're thinking of Tuolomne Meadows, at the NorthEastern end of the park. I love that area, but given that we're staying at the opposite end of the park, we may not make it on this trip.
Phc -- My kids are 2 and 4, and we're going with another family with 1.5 and 3-year-olds. There's a younger program than the Junior Ranger, I think, but it's a self-guided thing. We'll be doing that though. The rafting sounds fantastic, but given my wife's experience the last time I told her "there's absolutely no chance of tipping over", I'm not sure that will fly. 8^)
Thanks for the tips!
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Victoria 7-04-2006 @ 4:05AM
We went with kids last summer. We hiked on the short trails thru the valley (Lower Yosemite, etc.). Everything took lots longer due to little legs, frequent potty stops and requests for food/snacks. The tram was a hit as was the train. The giant sequoias were awesome. Evening ranger talks were fun. We stayed in El Portal just outside the south gate -- very very hot there. The road between El Portal and Mariposa is closed due to a rock slide. Oh, and bring lots of insect repellant (natural or otherwise) -- they're thick up there.
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Phc 7-04-2006 @ 5:17PM
I would give my personal guarantee to your wife that this is like rafting in a swimming pool. The biggest challange is picking the raft up over all the shallow spots.
Last year in Yosemite is actually where this whole parenthood journey started for us...
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