Trip Report

Question

Arrived June 16th 5:00 via Fresno (South Entrance) with no wait. Stayed at AirBnB in Yosemite West. Would highly recommend. Drove into the valley that night to Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, El Cap, and Tunnel View. Very pretty at sunset and not a ton of people.

Tuesday June 17th: Hiked Upper Yosemite Falls early and felt decent so the 4 of us made it to Yosemite Point. Well worth the extra bit but this entire trail was very tough. Go early and be prepared! We stopped at some more viewpoints in the valley and went back to Yosemite West. Came back in the evening and went to Sentinel Beach which we really enjoyed.

Wed June 18th: Hiked Vernal and Nevada Falls which was our favorite hike. Hit the last of what we wanted to see in the valley and drove up Tioga Road. We really enjoyed Olmsted Point and Tenaya Lake.

Thursday June 19th: We drove up to Glacier point. We also hiked Sentinel Dome (the shortcut people recommended was awesome) and Taft Point. Really enjoyed Sentinel and Taft but wish we would have went closer to sunrise or sunset. Left the park after this.

Thank you to everyone that gave me suggestions it was a wonderful trip!

Answer

Arrived at Yosemite National Park on June 16th around 5:00 PM via the South Entrance from Fresno. There was no wait at the entrance, which made for a smooth arrival. Stayed at an Airbnb in Yosemite West, which was highly recommended and offered a comfortable base for exploring the park. That evening, drove into the valley and visited Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, and returned to Tunnel View. The sunset was beautiful, and the area was not overly crowded at that time.

On Tuesday, June 17th, hiked Upper Yosemite Falls early in the morning. The trail was challenging but manageable. After assessing their energy levels, the group of four decided to continue all the way to Yosemite Point. This extra effort was rewarding, providing stunning views, though the trail required good preparation and stamina. Later, they explored several additional viewpoints in the valley and returned to Yosemite West to relax. In the evening, they visited Sentinel Beach, which they found very enjoyable for a quieter experience.

Wednesday, June 18th, was dedicated to hiking Vernal and Nevada Falls. This hike turned out to be the favorite of the trip. After completing this hike, they covered the remaining must-see locations in the valley before driving up Tioga Road. Along this drive, they visited Olmsted Point and Tenaya Lake, both of which were highlights and provided beautiful scenic stops.

Thursday, June 19th, included a drive up to Glacier Point. They also hiked Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. They took advantage of a shortcut to Sentinel Dome, which was highly recommended and saved time while still offering incredible views. Both Sentinel Dome and Taft Point were enjoyable, though the group noted that visiting closer to sunrise or sunset would have enhanced the experience further. After these hikes, they concluded their visit and left the park.

Overall, the trip was very well-planned, allowing a mix of challenging hikes and scenic drives. Staying in Yosemite West provided a convenient and less crowded base, and the timing of visits to major viewpoints helped avoid the busiest periods.

Arrival via Fresno South Entrance – smooth entry
Stay at Yosemite West Airbnb – highly recommended
Evening drive to Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan – sunset views, fewer crowds

Upper Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Point hike – strenuous but rewarding
Additional valley viewpoints and Sentinel Beach – relaxing evening

Vernal and Nevada Falls hike – favorite of the trip
Tioga Road drive with stops at Olmsted Point and Tenaya Lake – scenic highlights

Glacier Point drive and hikes at Sentinel Dome (shortcut) and Taft Point – spectacular views, ideal for sunrise/sunset

Thank you to everyone who provided suggestions; the trip was a wonderful experience filled with memorable hikes and breathtaking scenery in Yosemite National Park.