For a short period this year Yosemite National Park went to a day use reservation system, limiting crowds due to Covid 19. We took advantage of the situation, making our reservation and heading into to the mountains. It made for a long day, but we are unlikely to get another chance to visit this national wonder with few crowds.
We headed down toward the valley, stopping at a picnic area when we arrived. From the site there was an amazing view of El Capitan.
From the picnic area we went into the valley and walked through the meadow where we were able to view the incredible views. Only a few people passed by on the path.
It was a calm day in the meadow, but at the higher elevations there was quite a bit of wind. This could be seen in Yosemite Falls. Typically it is a fairly straight drop from the top section, but the wind was pushing the water against the rocks, causing the water to split.
After we finished in the valley we drove up to Glacier Point to see the sights from above. On the way to Glacier Point there is a Tunnel View pullout that gives a different view of the landmarks. We stopped to enjoy the view and take a few pictures.
Our final stop for the day was Glacier Point. This is a spot in the park at 7,214 ft. That is not very much elevation for those friends from Colorado, but it is 3,200 ft above the valley. This gives another, awe inspiring, perspective.
It was a great end to a wonderful day in Yosemite, made even better by the lack of crowds.
