Protected since 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but it also offers deep valleys, grand meadows, giant sequoias, wilderness, and more. Start at the western entrance to the park and stop at the Big Oak Flat information station. The route will then take you to several groves of giant sequoias. Favorite stops are Tenaya Lake and Tuolumne Meadows, but glimpses of the Sierra Nevada wild and vistas are accessible without leaving your car. Dense forests, glacial lakes, and sub-alpine meadows line the route. Granite domes rise starting at Crane Flat to Tenaya Lake. Climbing through the Tuolumne Meadows, towards Tioga Pass the elevation reaches 9,945 feet. This is the highest automobile pass in California. Stop in the many scenic turn-outs for photo ops. Because of the extreme elevation at Tioga Pass, the weather can change quickly. Sometimes snow can fall even in June! Check the National Park Service website “Tioga and Glacier Point Roads Plowing Update” for the most up-to-date information before traveling the route.
The lush Tuolumne Meadows is home to the Tuolumne River as it winds its way through the park. The name “Tuolumne” is of Native American origin and has many different meanings, one of which is “Many Stone Houses.” The granite formations along the route have been “polished” by glaciers which give them a smooth and shiny appearance. In the warmer months, wildflowers abound in the high-country alpine meadows. This driving route lets you experience Yosemite National Park and allows for stops along the way to enjoy the wilderness, vistas, and photo ops.