Yosemite for Elementary School Ages and Up
At five days in a national park, our recent Yosemite trip may qualify as the longest camping trip I have taken with the kids. And really, staying in a tent cabin rather than a campsite may even make calling it a “camping” trip a bit of a stretch. Still, it was perfect for us and our preschool aged kids. There were plenty of hikes and activities that were right at their abilities and skills. I look forward to talking more about those.
For today’s Mondays-are-for-Dreaming post, I thought it a good time to highlight some other activities that are available which I look forward to doing with them sometime in the next few years.
Hikes:
Vernal Fall Bridge: 1 hour round trip, starts from Happy Isles. If you continue further on this hike you can reach the top of Nevada Falls which can take about 3-4 hours. The Vernal/Nevada Falls hike is a popular destination. There are frequent breathtaking views along the trail. Part of the way you ascend very near the falls, giving it a nickname of “the mist trail.” This is a hike that is doable for young kids, but be aware that the trail can get quite slick from the spray of the waterfall. Its a good idea to walk close together on this one, particularly on the area with steep steps.
Sentinel Dome: 2 hours round trip, starts at Glacier Point Road. The elevation gain on this one is only 500 feet, but much of it is at the very end of the hike. Also since the hike is about 3,500 feet above the valley, the effects of the elevation may make it feel more difficult. The views aren’t remarkable by Yosemite standards. At the end, though, you will be rewarded with a look at the famous Jeffrey Pine, a tree made famous through a photograph taken by Ansel Adams. This tree, about as old as Shakespeare, was killed by drought in 1977 despite attempts to save it by hand-carrying buckets of water up the dome to it. The tree finally fell over in 2003.
Mirror Lake Loop: 4 hours round trip (4.8 mi), starts at the Mirror Lake shuttle stop. The first part of this hike is quite easy (as in a paved road) and leads to one of the most popular swimming holes in Yosemite. Here is where many people stop. The loop continues, though, through Tenaya Canyon. A rockslide in 2009 has currently closed part of the trail, but hopefully that will get cleared in the near future.
Guided Walks / Tours:
Night time tours: There are a few night tours; “Starry skies over Yosemite”, “Twilight Strolls”, “Night Prowls” and “Yosemite Moonlight Tour”. I’m guessing that any of these would offer good insight into how active the dusk and twilight times are in the wilderness. If your kids can easily stay up this late, it sounds like a fun way to keep exploring.
Horseback tours: During the summer you can tour the valley and high country trying the same mode of travel as Yosemite’s native peoples and pioneers. Tours can last 2 hours, half a day, or a multiple days. Children must be at least 7 years old and 44″ high. Maximum weight is 225 lbs.
- photo credit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/images
Outdoor Adventures
Biking: With twelve miles of paved trails, biking is a great way to explore Yosemite Valley. Bicycles are available for rent by the hour or by the day at Yosemite Lodge and at Curry Village. Child trailers are also available. Mountain biking is also available in particular areas of the park.
Rock Climbing: Where better to learn how to climb a rock than at the Yosemite Mountaineering School and Guide Service classes! Climbing classes average seven hours in length so this may be more suited for the older or more dedicated crowd. Classes are offered in a series, so you must have taken the basics to continue through to more advanced courses. Maximum group size is 6 people per instructor.
Boating: If you would like to float by some breathtaking views, consider rafting along part of the Merced River. The stretch available to rafters is from the Yosemite Valley Stables to Cathedral Beach. A shuttle will return you to Curry Village at the end. This trip takes about 3-4 hours. Children must be over 50 lbs.
I love finding places that I look forward to returning to. Yosemite is definately going to become a family tradition. If you want to hear more about travel dreams, head over to Mother of All Trips.
Great ideas for the older kids. The hubby & I especially love toting the kids around on bikes. Can’t wait til they’re a little older so we can enjoy even more of the park!
Boy, I really need to get to Yosemite some day! I think I’ll try to get my kids up to Rocky Mountain National Park first though! Most national parks will have activities like those you described, and good websites for use in planning ahead. Five days is a long trip with kids, congratulations on making it through!
[...] 3 and 5 year old, I have compiled my favorite parts of Yosemite. If you have school-aged children, here are some other recommendations that may be more [...]
Great resource, I’m going to add this to a growing list of California posts for a link-up post.
We really liked the Vernal Falls trail too.