The area around Yosemite National Park is surrounded by national forests and wilderness areas that are just as incredible but with far less people. If you don’t require any facilities, and prefer to avoid the crowds then the camping is even better than in the Yosemite Valley. Whenever we are lucky enough to score a spot in Yosemite, I look forward to sneaking up through Tioga Pass and sniffing out some dispersed camping along the way. 

We found a forest service campsite that was first come first serve right along some rapids downstream from a small waterfall. You couldn’t even hear your kids yelling. We found some short hikes nearby that led to some scrambling up huge granite slabs, a signal that we have reached the edge of the Sierras. 

I love the feeling when we reach the Sierras, definitely, to me, the most beautiful landscape I’ve ever experienced.  I love being surrounded by huge expanses of solid granite and enormous pines lining the clear mountain lakes. The next few days are going to be memorable. 

In the morning we will pack up and hike and picnic our way through Tuolmmne Meadows on our way to three nights in the Yosemite Valley.