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All in Adventure Destinations
Yosemite Falls can be seen throughout a large portion of Yosemite Valley including from the Yosemite Chapel, Merced River Bank Yosemite Valley Lodge and even high above the valley from Glacier Point. You might think it’s visibility is why this waterfall gets its namesake, however that is not the case. Yosemite Falls get’s it namesake because it is the tallest and strongest flowing waterfall in all of Yosemite Valley. This makes it the centerpiece of Yosemite.
Yosemite National Park is the birthplace of American rock climbing, known for its humbling granite walls, carved by glacials. Rock climbing in Yosemite National Park should be a must visit for any rock climber because of the stellar granite splitters, the long routes, and history these walls hold. From El Capitan to Half Dome to Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite rock climbing is diverse in it’s grades and access. Often the climbing will challenge rock climbers not only by the grade, but the style, mental and physical endurance it takes to climb in Yosemite National Park
Santa Cruz, CA is known for its would class surfing along the Pacific Coast Highway, but to those non-locals, few know that there is more to offer than the beach. Driving over Highway 17 into Santa Cruz, you are crossing the Santa Cruz Mountains. These intercostals house redwood forests, oak trees perfect for climbing, rolling hills of grass, and miles of hiking trails. If you pack a picnic and head out for a walk, you can find your own slice of heaven, just go looking.
The Auburn Quarry and the confluence is packed with more adventures than you have days! This area has a little something for everyone; paddlers, rock climbers, hikers, photographers, bikers, nature observers, and those looking to relax. In this article, I try my best to paint the picture of just how many options there really are out here, but, quite honestly, the list feels endless!
“Hey! You coming with us this weekend right?” I asked my best buddy on the phone. Our plan was to road trip to South Lake Tahoe for a long weekend of rock climbing. Even though I grew up in the Lake Tahoe area, my childhood was mostly spent swimming in a pool, chasing a dream of college sports. Since graduating, I left the pool behind and picked up rock climbing. Now, I am not very good, but gym climbing is quite boring to me, so getting outside for multi-pitch rock climbing itches my adventure needs.
The coarse granite erratics that surround South Lake Tahoe make for a rock climbers dream. Positioned with views few could dream up, when you climb on the boulders of around Lake Tahoe, you are left breathless from the views and thin air. Not to mention a few cuts into your skin as you discover the gorgeous boulders bite back, viciously, as you work your way to the top. One of the best parts, the temps. As late spring rolls around and the snow melts, the boulders come alive and the project is perfect until the next snow.
Yosemite National Park’s high country has fewer people exploring and the further you go, the more secluded your trip will become. So, make the trip up Tioga Pass and drop into Tuolumne Meadows to snag your backpacking permit for the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. Below, you will find a wide variety of information on backpacking the Grand Tuolumne River as well other options for when you visit Yosemite National Park.
