There’s nothing quite like autumn in the mountains. This year, we packed up with our dear friends for a fall trip and headed to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park. Between golden leaves, breathtaking hikes, waterfalls, and even a soak in hot springs, the entire trip felt like stepping into a postcard.
Hiking Sentinel Dome & Taft Point Loop
One of our first adventures was the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop, a ~5-mile moderately challenging hike off Glacier Point Road. This trail is a showstopper. From the top of Sentinel Dome we soaked in 360-degree views—Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and beyond. Absolutely awe-inspiring.
At Taft Point, the scene was even more dramatic. We looked down into a sheer canyon drop-off that made my stomach flip. A few daring hikers tiptoed right to the edge (I could hardly watch!). Debbie, who’s afraid of heights, peeked for just a second before backing away—it really does make you woozy to see how far down it goes. Fun fact: this is the spot where slackliners sometimes walk across on a thin rope, suspended over the massive drop. Crazy!
Hot Springs & Climber Stories
After our hike, we found some natural hot springs near Mammoth Lakes. The water was steaming hot but oh-so relaxing after hours on the trail. We ended up chatting with a young climber who joined us in the little tub. He shared stories about scaling El Capitan—sleeping on the side of the cliff, hauling gear, and the mental strength it takes to complete such climbs. Listening to him was both terrifying and fascinating. I’ll stick to my day hikes, thank you very much!
Breakfast at the Ahwahnee Hotel
This trip was especially meaningful for my husband and I because Yosemite holds a very special place in our hearts. Almost 41 years ago, we spent our honeymoon here. Being back again after all these years felt surreal.
While we were on our honeymoon we had breakfast at the famous Ahwahnee Hotel (now called The Majestic Yosemite Hotel). Sitting in the same dining room where we ate as newlyweds, our friends even snapped a photo of us recreating that moment from so long ago. Talk about nostalgia—it was like time folded in on itself.
Fall trip to Yosemite and Mammouth Lakes and The Majesty of the Giant Sequoias
The next day, we made our way to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias—the largest grove in Yosemite with over 500 towering trees. Walking among these ancient giants felt humbling.
One of the highlights was seeing the Grizzly Giant, estimated to be almost 3,000 years old. Imagine what that tree has lived through! The hike itself is about 2.7 miles roundtrip, with a gentle descent on the way in and a heart-pumping incline on the way back out.
Even though the climb back was a serious workout, being surrounded by these massive, majestic trees made it worth every step. The sheer size of the trunks, the way the light filtered through the forest canopy, and the crisp fall air—it was magical.
A Perfect Day at Convict Lake
Another highlight of our trip was visiting Convict Lake. This spot was absolutely spectacular! We hiked part of the trail that loops around the lake and came across a grove of golden Aspen trees glowing in the sunlight. Honestly, I could’ve stayed there forever.
Fall is seriously my favorite season—I can’t get enough of the colorful leaves. To top it off, we rented kayaks and paddled around the lake, laughing with our friends. At one point, we pulled the kayaks up on the sandy shoreline and the guys decided to take a cold plunge.
Debbie and I weren’t about to be left out, so we took the plunge too. Oh my goodness—it was freezing! But we came out squealing, laughing, and so glad we did it. Those are the moments that make trips unforgettable.
Devils Postpile & Rainbow Falls
On our last day, we squeezed in one more adventure: Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls. These two natural wonders are located close together in Mammoth Lakes and are accessible by a mandatory shuttle bus during the summer and fall.
- Devils Postpile is a striking wall of 60-foot hexagonal basalt columns formed from ancient lava flows. We hiked a short trail to see it from the base and it was like looking at nature’s version of modern art.
- From there, we continued about 2.5 miles to reach Rainbow Falls, a 101-foot waterfall that lives up to its name.
The hike back was about five miles total, and though we were a little tired, it was the perfect way to end our mountain adventure.
Why Fall in Yosemite & Mammoth Lakes is Unforgettable
Everywhere we turned, we were greeted with vivid fall foliage—bright yellows, fiery oranges, and deep reds contrasting against the granite cliffs. Add in waterfalls, wide-open vistas, golden groves, and good friends, and it was truly a trip to remember.
Between the hikes, the hot springs, kayaking, and even reliving our honeymoon memories at the Ahwahnee Hotel, I came home with a full heart and an even deeper appreciation for the beauty of Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes.
✨ Tip for fellow travelers: If you go, pack layers! Fall days can be warm on the trail, but evenings cool off fast in the mountains.
Make sure to check out some of our other fun trips here. In fact right now I am on an airplane heading to Italy with a quick couple of days in Spain! Follow along on my Instagram account.
Ha! I have that same thought when we watch shows about mountain climbing… day hiking is plenty for me. I could NOT imagine sleeping suspended over the side of a cliff. Of course I also have a huge fear of heights but even without I don’t think I could put that much trust in gear and weather reports and unknown things going wrong. It sounds like you had a really incredible trip!
Hi-The Ahawnee is back to it’s original name after a conflicting lawsuit filed by the venders. All names were temporary changed due to this lawsuit as they trademarked the names-illegally as a money grab.
All good now and Yosemite is represented by the orignal names as it should be. Lovely photos.