A Yosemite secret.

I'm going to let you in on a secret about Yosemite. There aren't too many -- Yosemite is a pretty popular place. And I probably shouldn't do it -- no need for more people. But you're my friends. This is for you.

The big secret? Get out of the valley. Yes, Yosemite Valley is awesome. But it is also very commercial and crowded. There is a lot more to be seen.

I suppose it's not that big of secret. After all, the trail to Half Dome is almost always full of people. However, hiking to Half Dome either involves backpacking or a 14 or more mile hike in one day, some of it on very steep trails. By all means if you can make the hike you should. It's worth every sore muscle and blister.

What's not so well known is the many other trails. I haven't been on most of them. Many of them can be long hikes or backpacks. Here are some we hiked and really enjoyed.

Mt. Broderick, Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall viewed from the Panorama Trail at dawn.

Panorama Trail. Take the tour bus to Glacier Point. Hike down the Panorama Trail to Yosemite Valley. This is a 8 mile hike, so it still involves a fair amount of hiking. But most of it is downhill. And the views are awesome. We started in the early morning which you can't do with the tour bus. We heard Nevada Fall, saw deer and other animals and watched the sun rise on Yosemite. Unforgettable. We also got to see the sun set on the lower part of the trail -- the John Muir Trail -- since we detoured to climb Half Dome during most of the day.

Cathedral Rocks and El Capitan at the entrance of Yosemite Valley viewed from Sentinel Dome.

Sentinel Dome. This is a short 1.1 mile hike. It starts from a trail head on the Glacier Point road about 2/3 of the way to Glacier Point. The hike climbs about 400ft. You arrive at Sentinel Dome which is 8100ft high (just below Half Dome's 8800ft) and towers 4100ft above the Yosemite Valley floor. 80% of the thrill of Half Dome with 1% of the effort.

Taft Point overlooking Yosemite Valley.

Taft Point and The Fissures. This also is a 1.1 mile hike. It starts at the same trail head as the Sentinel Dome hike. The elevation change is about 300ft but it is mostly down to the point and then up on the way back. The hike itself is much prettier than the Sentinel Dome hike with a lot of trees, foliage and even animals along most of the route. The Taft Point outcropping has many cuts on its side which are known as the fissures. Again the views are spectacular.

Half Dome at dusk viewed from Glacier Point.

Glacier Point. Can't hike at all? Go to Glacier Point. It is a 45 minute drive from Yosemite Village. It's not so secret -- you will run into crowds during the day. Want a real thrill -- get there for sunrise or sunset. We were there in the first light of dawn for our Half Dome hike and saw sunrise, as I mentioned above, on the Panorama Trail. Earlier we went to see stars at night and arrived just after sunset. The lighting and views we saw caused to just sit and stare until the light faded. The star viewing was spectacular too.