Most people spend their entire visit at Yosemite Valley and the surrounding area, missing out on wonderful nature and amazing adventures. If you have an adventurous spirit, leave the crowds behind and explore places like Hetch Hetchy Valley and Dam, Tioga Pass, Tenaya Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows.
If you are driving to Yosemite from the east, you will likely experience the breathtaking road through the Sierra Nevada mountains (Hwy 120). The road winds through mountain peaks, meadows, and lakes, reaching an elevation of 9,945 ft. at the Tioga Pass, the highest pass in California. Driving through this pass during winter can be dangerous, and the road is subject to closures.