Between June of 2020 and June of 2021, I went to Yosemite National Park twenty times.

Yes, you read that correctly, twenty times.

Of course, gas was a whole lot cheaper then. But that is a whole other topic…I have been meaning to write and post something about all my trips to Yosemite, but I am finally making time to do so…

Once the national park system decided to open the parks back up after being closed for almost four months in the spring of 2020, I was dying to make a day trip to one of my favorite places. They had implemented a reservation system, and I did my best to take full advantage of using it as often as possible.

After months of being told by the government to stay home (not that I stayed inside my home that whole time), I was beyond ready for a full day outside in the sunshine, getting lots of fresh air and exercise, spending time in God’s beautiful creation.

From June of 2020 until June of 2021, I explored parts of Yosemite I had never explored before. I hiked more miles in one year than I had probably ever done before. I kept track of my steps on each visit and figure I hiked about 90 miles in the park that year. I took 12 people to Yosemite for the very first time.

There were two hikes that have to be my absolute favorites from that year. The first one is Lembert Dome. My daughter-in-law and I did this hike in August of 2020. The whole time on the trail we probably saw no more than 25 people. The view from the top of the dome looking out toward the eastern sierra mountains was incredible!

And believe me, no photo is ever going to do this view justice. There is nothing like hiking up a trail at over 8000 feet above sea level and seeing an almost 360 degree view of Tuolumne Meadows and the surrounding area. This is one hike that I would definitely do again!

My other favorite hike from that year has to be Columbia Rock. This trail is the first part of the Upper Yosemite Falls trail. As I was making my way up this trail, I almost didn’t think I was going to make it! It is a brutal 1000 foot elevation gain in just one mile! But the view is so worth it!

I loved this hike so much that I brought my daughter-in-law with me to hike this same trail the following month.

It amazes me that so many people live within driving distance of this incredible place and have never been. I spend $80 for the National Park Pass and it is so worth the price. It you live in the state of California, you are within driving distance of at least one national park, given that we have nine national parks in our state, the most in all of the United States. I have been to five of the nine national parks in California, so I need to make time to get to the other four.

Do you have a favorite national park in our country?