About 7 miles [11 kilometers] beyond the tunnel, turn left on the Glacier Point Road (in winter, closed beyond the ski area). The 16-mile [25.8-kilometer] road, flanked by fir-and-pine forests, ends in a parking lot. Walk about 300 yards [274.3 meters] to the first of several overlooks on Glacier Point, which thrusts 3,214 feet [979.6 meters] above the valley, providing an enormous stage for a scenic spectacular of lights and shadows. Mirror Lake lies below; Half Dome looms across; Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall hang like white tassels in the distance.
Return to the intersection of California 41 and drive south 13 miles [20.9 kilometers] to Wawona, site of a hotel, golf course, and other facilities. Stop at the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, where, in summer, visitors enter restored buildings and chat about the past with costumed interpreters who portray such real people as a cavalry trooper, a 19th-century homesteader, and a mountaineer. From conversations with these players you learn Yosemite Valley’s modern history, which began in 1851, when members of the Mariposa Battalion were tracking down Indians accused of raiding nearby trading posts. Foothill Miwok called Miwok living in the valley “Yohemite,” which means “some of them are killers.” Thinking that this was the Indians’ name, the whites gave an approximation of it to the valley.
Word of the radiantly beautiful valley spread quickly, and the first tourists arrived in 1855. They were soon followed by homesteaders and hotel keepers. Next came the nation’s early conservationists, who campaigned to protect not only the valley but also a grove of giant sequoias.
Return to California Hwy. 41 and continue south. At the South Entrance continue straight to Yosemite’s other long-cherished feature, the Mariposa Grove. From early May to late October you can take a guided tram tour of the grove’s giant sequoias ($7 adult, $4 child). Or, you can walk among them at any time of year.
