We’ve talked in past articles about the classic destinations to see in Yosemite, but when summer rolls around, the popularity of these places explodes. For most of us, the reason why we visit the National Parks is to see natural beauty but at the same time get away from it all. To hear the birds singing and furry critters playing. For those looking for that natural beauty that's a little more to themselves, these 5 attractions give you a bit of breathing room to still take in all the wonder.

Although the road up to Glacier Point can get quite congested in the summer, there’s a hike right before it that many zip by without even noticing... and that’s to Sentinel Dome. It's home to arguably one of the best panoramic views in the park. You’ll get a bird's eye view of El Capitan to the west, and Half Dome to the east, pretty much the entire valley. Consider starting the hike a bit earlier and combining it with a visit to Taft Point. From there, you could peer over the edge of a cliff overlooking the valley 3,500 feet below it.

Local’s tip: Head here for sunset. During typically busy summer months you’ll find the drive less stressful and parking at the trail head more accessible, and the scenes you'll see as the waning sunlight paints the granite valley walls in shifting shades of warming light will leave you awed. Don’t forget to bring a headlamp!

In the peaceful northwest corner of the park lies the glaciated valley of Hetch Hetchy. Considered by John Muir to be almost equal to Yosemite Valley in beauty, there you’ll find stunning peaks, hidden canyons, remote lakes, and water falls. Right along the reservoir are the easily accessible and well known cascades of Wapama Falls and Tueeulala Falls but if you explore little further, about 2.5 miles out the trail more-or-less along Rancheria Creek, you'll find Rancheria Falls. While they aren’t a massive thundering drop all at once, they more than make up for it in the length and series of cascades that happen within a tightly winding canyon. While spring is when the falls are roaring at their fullest and wildflowers are blooming, summer is still a great time to visit (Hetch Hetchy is known to have one of the longest hiking seasons of any area of the park).  For more insights into exploring Hetch Hetchy, checkout our Judi's Jaunts story here.

Local’s tip: It can get a little warm in Hetch Hetchy in the summer, so be sure to plan accordingly and visit earlier in the day. 

Experience views of Yosemite from a whole different perspective at Olmsted Point - phot by Steve Montalto/Highmountain Images

For those looking to get away from the heat of summer and still get amazing views of the region, head to the high country and make sure to stop along the way at Olmsted Point. Named after the man who is considered the father of American landscape architecture Frederick Law Olmsted. He was one of the important early leaders that were instrumental in the initial establishment and protection of Yosemite. For more about Olmsted Point and other locations, check out our article: Yosemite Place Names: The Origin And History Of Names In Yosemite National Park. Olmsted Point is located ~29 miles to the east of the Crane Flat Gas Station on Tioga Road (HWY 120). In addition to the large parking and viewing area adjacent to the road, there is a short ½ mile round-trip hike nearby that allows you to explore close-up how the rivers carved and the ancient glaciers scraped, scoured and polished the surrounding granite landscape.  Tenaya Canyon, Clouds Rest, and off in the distance - Half Dome are landmarks you get to see from a unique angle from this location. If you are on Tioga Road heading up to see other unique attractions of Yosemite's High Country, this is a must! It typically opens around June and closes sometime in November (dependent on snowfall).

The bulk of visitors descend upon Yosemite Valley and rightly so. It's where jaw-dropping views of iconic El Capitan and the roaring Yosemite Falls are found. Tucked within this relatively small area (it is less than 10% of the park's almost 760,000 acres) is an old bridle path previously used for horses called the Valley Floor Loop Trail. This trail offers a somewhat unique opportunity to hikers in Yosemite: a lengthy moderate hike (11.5 miles - full loop, 7.2 miles - half loop) on fairly level ground. While some segments of the trail do take you near roads, the vast majority of it allows you to stroll through meadows, get up close to the talus slopes at the base of the towering granite cliffs surrounding the valley, and even wander along the Merced River.  It's a great way to spend a wonderful day seeing a lot of the valley, at your own pace, and in solitude.

Clothespin Tree, Mariposa Grove

Located near Yosemite's Southern Entrance, Mariposa Grove is the largest of the three giant sequoia groves in Yosemite National Park. It is home to over 500 Giant Sequoias, including the Fallen Monarch, the California Tunnel Tree, and the Grizzly Giant. If you continue beyond the California Tunnel Tree on the Mariposa Grove Trail, you will find the Faithful Couple and the Clothespin Tree before the opportunity to see the Mariposa Grove Cabin in the Upper Grove. You can no longer enter the cabin, but it once served as the Mariposa Grove Museum and sits in a beautiful small meadow filled with wildflowers in the spring and summer. Continue on to Wawona Point and marvel at the panoramic views of Wawona Meadow and the Sierra Nevadas. 

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