Yosemite, The Complete Guide: Yosemite National Park

by James Kaiser

From luxury lodges to rugged multi-day backpacks, this handy guide reveals the best of Yosemite National Park through vivid, full-color photography and informed writing. More than 20 hikes, ranging from easy to difficult, are covered in depth, with trail descriptions, elevation charts, maps, and photos. Chapters on history, geology, ecology, and wildlife are included along with essential information on lodging, camping, outdoor adventures, and popular park activities in Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy. From the world-famous views of cliffs, waterfalls, polished granite domes, and giant sequoia groves to fine dining at the High Sierra Camp, this comprehensive travel companion allows anyone to access this fascinating park.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Outdoors, Reference

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

James Kaiser is an award-winning travel writer and photographer. When not trotting the globe on assignment, he writes guidebooks to U.S. national parks. In 2005 his book Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide won the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Full-Color Travel Guide and the Independent Publisher Award for Best Travel Guide. In 2006 he was a photographer for Yahoo! Sports at the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.

Reviews

[Nataliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read through this book twice. The first time when the only idea of Yosemite National Park I had was that (a) it probably wasn’t Yellowstone, and (b) there may be bears there. The second time after actually falling in love with it after visiting there (and not seeing any bears, for which my sphincters are very grateful).



And both times this guide was absolutely great. It is interesting to someone who has no idea about this wonderful corner of the world, and it remains interesting when so many of those places in it become reality and memories.



It goes through history, geology, flora and fauna of Yosemite in just enough detail to be memorable but not overwhelming. It has information on quite a few hikes and trails illustrated by wonderful photos that have ultimately led to some very sore muscles as a result of this temptation. James Kaiser also covers the practical things - from lodging to places to eat to a variety of park activities.

Now, to get his book on the Grand Canyon…







5 stars.

——————
Also posted on my blog.

[Peter Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily the best guide to my favorite national park. I learned to say “wa-erfall” and ride a bike in Yosemite, but James Kaiser’s lively writing and superb photographs have helped me take my relationship with the world’s first national park to the next level. The 90 pages on the geology, ecology and history of Yosemite are excellent. The history section features mini-biographies of John Muir, Albert Bierstadt and two Adams--Grizzly and Ansel. Kaiser also provides detailed maps for over 20 different hikes. His three years of labor shows, but the DIY publishing does not.

My Favorite Yosemite Hikes:
1. The Mist Trail & Half Dome/Clouds Rest
2. May Lake & Mt. Hoffman (a Muir favorite)
3. Great Sierra (Ghost) Mine & Mt. Dana
4. Yosemite Falls & El Capitan
5. Lembert Dome & Dog/Young Lakes

Pro Tips:
1. Reservations are required during the Trump Plague.
2. If you have two vehicles, you can do some amazing one-way hikes, starting with the first 20 miles of the John Muir Trail.
3. Don’t skip Hetch Hetchy.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guide was a good introduction into Yosemite with many subjects given some description. This is a good starting point, but much more information is needed to plan a trip to Yosemite. I had many questions after reading this book that will require other guides and the internet to answer

Pros: great photography, good taste of the ecology and geology of Yosemite for the average person, good place to start to get ideas of trip itineraries for trips of various lengths

Cons: not very detailed in any one subject and need other guides to fill in the gaps

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photos and straightforward information for geology, history, trails, etc.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked out a stack of Yosemite guidebooks from the library, but this is the one I was drawn to the most. It has plenty of full-page photos that drew me in. I read the geology sections aloud to my family on our drive. It was fascinating! I used the field guide when I wanted to identify a few trees and animals in the park, and we got lots of ideas of what we wanted to see while we were there. (Hint: 24 hours wasn't enough time, even with multiple roads closed for winter conditions.)

[Amy Wesson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with fascinated stories that I couldn’t help but share with those around me.

Favourites included:

The “nightly bear show” from the 1940s which featured an open air dump for bears to feast, equipped with bleachers and stadium lighting

Gold Rush tycoon James Savage (properly named) who married the daughters of several Chiefs to earn goodwill

And of course the fire fall (which is exactly what it sounds like)

[kezhia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happened upon this guide at Goodwill today. What better Tuesday evening read than learning about the subduction of the Farallon Plate that created what we now know as the Sierra Nevada mountains???? 🤓🤓🤓🤓

In all seriousness, reading through this guide made me miss home. Now I’m gonna gather my hiking and camping gear and go touch grass up north.

[Serena Wurmser · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if I read a guidebook from start to finish before starting my season in YOSE 🤠

[Nicole Vidak]

Open

[Henry Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most readable of all the Guide Books I have read! Very well set up and looks good for making plans.

[Jenesis · Rating 2 out of 5]

In preparation for my first-ever trip to Yosemite I picked up a few books at the library. I liked this one a lot initially because of the in-depth history it provided, as well as the geological background and the stunning photos. However, when I got to Yosemite I realized the maps aren't quite as detailed as you might want, the trail descriptions are useless to use as a guide, and even the ecological information was lacking. The one flowering tree that is spread throughout Yosemite Valley, the Pacific Dogwood we found in the Yosemite map provided by the rangers, was nowhere to be found in the book! A bit disappointing and somewhat useless for use in the park, I did enjoy the historic journey it took me through.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of good history and information on Yosemite Valley but I was hoping for more information on Lyell Canyon.

[Jenny Hutchins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the organization and information in this guide.
Can't wait to go there in a week!! We are there for 3 1/2 days, can't decide which hikes to do!

[Harrya007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhaustively researched travel guide. Covers geology, ecology, wildlife, history of Yosemite National Park.