3 night 2 day - Yosemite Itinerary - June first week

Question

We are a family of 4 with 2 teens... We will be staying in curry village for 3 nights... Will be driving from Vegas... Would love everyone's input on this itinerary (as suggested by AI)... which options to choose from (or reduce the itinerary load)??? We love moderate hikes and spectacular views... :-)

Any tips on road trip (Vegas - Yosemite) also welcome...

-------------------------------------

Day 1: Iconic Yosemite Valley & Glacier Point Sunset

6:00 AM – Sunrise at Tunnel View** (15 min drive from Curry Village)

- Start the day at **Tunnel View**, Yosemite’s most famous scenic overlook.

- Marvel at the breathtaking panorama of **El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall**.

**7:00 AM – Hike: Mist Trail to Vernal & Nevada Falls (3-7 miles RT, 2-5 hours)** (5 min drive to trailhead)

🥾 **Options:**

- **To Vernal Fall Footbridge:** 1.6 miles RT, ~1 hour, 400 ft elevation gain.

- **To Vernal Fall Top:** 2.4 miles RT, ~2 hours, 1,000 ft gain.

- **To Nevada Fall:** 5.4 miles RT, ~4-5 hours, 2,000 ft gain.

- Experience the misty power of the falls and stunning valley views!

**11:30 AM – Return to Curry Village for Lunch & Rest**

- Grab food at **Curry Village Pizza Deck** or **Meadow Grill**.

- Take a short break before the afternoon adventures.

**1:00 PM – Valley View & El Capitan Meadow** (15 min drive)

- Stop at **Valley View** for another stunning perspective of **El Capitan & Bridalveil Fall**.

- Visit **El Capitan Meadow** to watch rock climbers scaling the 3,000-ft granite face.

**2:00 PM – Hike: Mirror Lake Loop (2-5 miles RT, 1-2 hours)** (5 min drive)

- A peaceful, mostly flat hike with **Half Dome reflections** in the lake.

- **Short Option:** Hike to the lake and return (2 miles RT).

- **Full Loop:** 5 miles RT, circling the lake.

### **4:00 PM – Return to Curry Village to Relax & Freshen Up**

**5:30 PM – Drive to Glacier Point for Sunset (50 min drive)**

- One of Yosemite’s most **breathtaking panoramic views**.

- Enjoy views of **Half Dome, Nevada & Vernal Falls, and Yosemite Valley** from above.

**7:30 PM – Sunset at Glacier Point** 🌅

- Capture the golden hour glow over Yosemite’s iconic landmarks.

**8:30 PM – Drive Back to Curry Village (50 min drive)**

- Grab dinner at Curry Village before calling it a night.

---

**Day 2: Sentinel Dome, Yosemite Valley & Taft Point Sunset**

**6:30 AM – Breakfast at Curry Village**

**7:30 AM – Drive to Sentinel Dome Trailhead (50 min drive)**

**8:30 AM – Hike: Sentinel Dome (2.2 miles RT, ~1.5 hours)**

- Short but rewarding **hike with 360° views** of Yosemite.

- Easier than Glacier Point but offers equally stunning sights.

**10:30 AM – Drive Back to Yosemite Valley (50 min drive)**

**11:30 AM – Explore Yosemite Valley Attractions**

**Bridalveil Fall (0.5 miles RT, ~30 min visit)**

**Swinging Bridge or Cathedral Beach** – Relax by the Merced River with views of Yosemite Falls.

**Yosemite Falls Lower Viewpoint (Easy 1-mile RT, ~30 min visit)**

**1:00 PM – Lunch at Yosemite Valley Lodge or Curry Village**

**2:00 PM – Rest or Optional Short Walks Around Curry Village**

**4:30 PM – Drive to Taft Point Trailhead (45 min drive)**

**5:30 PM – Hike: Taft Point & The Fissures (2.2 miles RT, ~1.5 hours)**

- **Epic cliffside views of El Capitan and Yosemite Valley.**

- A thrilling but moderate hike perfect for sunset.

**7:30 PM – Sunset at Taft Point** 🌅

- One of **Yosemite’s most jaw-dropping sunset spots**.

- Enjoy the **golden light over the valley** and deep fissures in the rock.

**8:30 PM – Drive Back to Curry Village (45 min drive)**

- Grab a late dinner and relax after an adventure-packed trip.

---

**Extra Options (If Time Permits on day 0 or Day 3 - driving day):**

- **Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias** (1-hour drive from Curry Village) – Home to ancient giant trees.

- **Four-Mile Trail (Strenuous, 9.6 miles RT)** – Hike to Glacier Point instead of driving.

- **Valley Loop Trail (Easy, up to 13 miles RT)** – A peaceful walk through the valley.

Answer

Your proposed itinerary for Yosemite in early June is very full and covers many of the park's highlights. Since you’re staying in Curry Village, it’s practical and convenient, but there are a few adjustments and tips to consider to make your trip more enjoyable and less rushed.

General Tips for the Vegas to Yosemite Road Trip:

Leave early from Las Vegas to avoid midday heat and maximize daylight. Expect a 6–7 hour drive without stops.
Fill up on gas and snacks before entering the park, as services inside Yosemite are limited and more expensive.
Check road conditions, especially for Tioga Pass if coming from the east, as it may still be closed in early June.
Book your Curry Village accommodations and any shuttles or parking in advance.

Day 1 – Yosemite Valley & Glacier Point:

This day is ambitious but doable if you start early. For moderate hikes with teens, consider these options:

Mist Trail: To Vernal Fall Footbridge is short and rewarding (~1 hour). Going to Nevada Fall is long (~4–5 hours) and may be tiring with two hikes planned in the same day. You may want to pick just one section.
Mirror Lake Loop is a peaceful, mostly flat walk and complements the morning hike well. The short 2-mile option is ideal if you want to save energy for Glacier Point.

Glacier Point for sunset is perfect. The 50-minute drive each way is worth it for the panoramic views. Consider bringing snacks or light dinner, as dining options close at Curry Village.

Day 2 – Sentinel Dome & Taft Point:

Sentinel Dome is short (2.2 miles) and offers fantastic views without being strenuous. Perfect for a morning hike.
After returning to Yosemite Valley, you can visit Yosemite Falls Lower Viewpoint and Bridalveil Fall for easy walks.
Taft Point in the late afternoon provides an unforgettable sunset view. The 2.2-mile hike is moderate; watch teens carefully near cliff edges.

Optional rest in the afternoon allows flexibility for extra short hikes or photography.

Extra Options:

Mariposa Grove: If you arrive a day early or depart later, the giant sequoias are worth a 1-hour drive. Easy boardwalk trails make it family-friendly.
Four-Mile Trail: Strenuous alternative to Glacier Point if you want a challenging hike with incredible views.
Valley Loop Trail: Can be done in parts for scenic, easy walks around Yosemite Valley.

Recommendations for Streamlining:

Choose either Mist Trail to Vernal Fall Top or Nevada Fall, not both, to avoid overexertion on Day 1.
Consider skipping Valley View & El Capitan Meadow stops if you’re pressed for time; you’ll see similar views elsewhere.
Pack water, sunscreen, and snacks to avoid frequent stops.

With these tweaks, your itinerary balances moderate hikes, spectacular viewpoints, and enough rest to enjoy Yosemite fully without rushing.