Your Yosemite Travel Necessities

We recently ventured across America visiting nearly half the states and almost 20 National Parks. When trekking through the wilderness and exploring nature, it is vital to ensure that you are prepared for anything and everything you may encounter along your trip and during your hikes. Below is a quick list of some of the gear and packing essentials that you should not leave home without on your next trip to Yosemite National Park! This list can be utilized not only at Yosemite, but holds true for most hiking adventures or trips to other National Parks as well.

• Shoes - pretty straight forward here. Be sure you have a good pair of hiking shoes or boots. Ensure you have good traction and good ankle support. Don't forget to break them in if they are a relatively new pair.

• Socks - sometimes forgotten about, but a good, thick pair of socks will help keep your feet in good shape throughout this hike. If your shoes aren't water proof I would take an extra pair of socks in your bag just incase those shoes and socks get wet along your trek.

• Mole Skin - good idea to keep a pack of this handy. Even if you end up not needing it, you will be happy you packed it. You want to be proactive if your feet start hurting that way you prevent any blisters or sores on your feet or toes.

• Attire/Clothing - you want clothes that are relatively breathable and flexible. Dependent on the time of year and weather, shorts vs pants or t-shirt vs long sleeve shirt is a decision you will have to make. We went in late June so it was extremely hot and I went with flexible shorts and a breathable t-shirt which was perfect! Some folks hiked in long sleeve shirts likely more so to help protect their arms from the sun. If the forecast calls for rain, don't forget to pack a rain jacket or poncho, and a hat to help shade you from what can be an unforgiving sun!

• Gloves - these will be necessary for the cables if you plan on hiking to the top of Half Dome. If you do not have a permit for Half Dome then forget the gloves as they are only necessary for the cable stretch at the end of the trail.

• Hiking poles - although not a necessity, these may come in handy depending on your skill level. We did not use poles for this hike, but we encountered many others who did so if you tend to use poles when hiking I would absolutely recommend you take them with you for this one. If you are a novice hiker they will definitely help you out on this trail.

• Water/Snacks - obviously very valuable on a hike like this one. Ensure you take plenty of water with you. I packed about 64 oz of water and had two Gatorades as well. I would not leave on this hike with anything less to be honest, especially during the summer months. As far as snacks go, we packed a sandwich for lunch and stopped about half way through our hike to Half Dome. We also had some salty chips and some beef jerky to snack through the hike, especially for our return trip back. You can find some food throughout the park at Yosemite Village; however, expect to wait in long lines during peak season. There is a small convenient store as well where you can pick up some items as well.

• Sunscreen - as mentioned earlier, the sun can be unforgiving on this hike as there are some stretches which can expose you to the sun for lengthy periods of time. Since it's a day hike, ensure you take care of your skin and protect yourself from the suns rays!

• Flashlight/Head Lamp - not necessary if only planning on hiking during the day; however, if you plan on starting your journey through the park prior to sunrise or if there is any chance you may still be finishing a hike as the sun goes down, a flashlight or headlamp is not a bad idea!

• First Aid Kit - should be self explanatory! Can never be to safe. A small first aid kit with the basics and essentials should always be in your backpack when hiking!

• Bear spray - Be bear aware! Don't forget that during your time in Yosemite National Park, there is always a chance you will encounter plenty of wildlife, this includes bears. Be smart and make sure you keep your distance (at least 100 yards). Packing a can or two of bear spray is always a necessity for any hiking adventures throughout Yosemite and most other parks throughout the western U.S. Always better to be safe than sorry! We encountered plenty of black bears along our trek through many of these parks.

A few pointers if you are planning a trip to Yosemite. Be sure to plan well in advance. If you plan on staying anywhere within the park, be sure to be proactive as many of these locations book up a year in advance. There are additional options not far outside the park which are also good options. We stayed one night in the park at Curry Village and another night outside the park to save a little extra money and drove the extra hour or so to get into the park. Additionally, be sure to double check your packing list ahead of time to ensure you do not leave something essential at home. Check the weather frequently as conditions can change sometimes rather rapidly and you want to be sure you are prepared for any extremes that you may encounter.

For more information regarding lodging throughout the park, hiking trails, and other information regarding Yosemite National Park, check out our other posts below where you can find plenty more information and further details.