In many ways, autumn travel is better than spring or summer travel

Our "off-season" visit to Yosemite National Park is not "out of date". In fact, I think our two-day fall stay is comparable to any spring or summer itinerary. 

We got cool and fresh air instead of hot weather. The evergreen yellow pine stands against the backdrop of oak trees and dogwoods, turning dark yellow and crimson. A small number of small groups replaced the crowds during the peak season. Due to the recent heavy rain, the waterfall is full of life. The timing of all this feels like a secret still undiscovered.

We stayed at the newly renovated Wawona Hotel, which was built in 1856 and is one of the original mountain huts in California. It breathes with history. The Wawona Hotel is close to the South Fork of the Merced River, just a few miles from the Mariposa Grove of the huge redwoods. It has 104 rooms with Victorian furniture and decorations. The lobby has a double-sided fireplace and is surrounded by deep-seat sofas. Read or talk. Wi-Fi is available, but we help ourselves put the phone away.

On our first morning, we drove 27 miles to the valley (it takes about 45 minutes) and stopped at the tunnel viewing platform to enjoy the beauty of El Capitan, Half Dome, and everything in between. We headed to the bottom of the lower Yosemite Falls trail and the iconic footing point. When we raised our necks and watched the spray forming a rainbow in the morning light, we heard a slight exclamation behind us. Another couple spotted a black bear winding down a stream 50 yards away. We are more interested in him than he is in us. He keeps focusing on the fish and then turns away from sight.

For lunch at the Ahwahnee Hotel, we put half a pound of burgers on the table visited by the Queen and the President. Outside, a kitten-sized squirrel ran back and forth, picking up leaves to build a nest. Ahwahnee is considered the "top" accommodation in Yosemite, it is another time machine to go back to the past era of wild elegance. The high ceiling has beautifully carved beams and hand-made stained glass, while the huge stone furnace exudes warm light in the antler chandeliers and luxurious seating areas. The walls are lined with native art and baskets.

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In the afternoon, I took us to the Ansel Adams Gallery, where I was very happy to find and purchase some pictures of a famous photographer I had never seen a million times. The gift shop is great for buying some early Christmas gifts, and there is even a small and well-curated collection of books to search. It was Halloween weekend, and we visited the historic cemetery nearby, which happened to be crowded with a small group of crows.

After a sleep in our king-size bed, it was completely undisturbed-the wall-mounted heater made the room a comfortable refuge away from the 36-degree night outside-we decided to go to Mirror Lake at the east end of the valley the next day Hiking trails. This 5-mile loop is challenging, but not difficult. It takes us below the most striking layer of Yosemite, reflecting the water body of the same name along the route in perfect detail. Pure granite wall. That night, we went on a "stargazing" trip. These constellations are located in the bright Milky Way, splashing down in the dark sky.

Close to the "home" in Wawona, nearby attractions include an impressive covered bridge (one of only 12 bridges in the state); Powder room and prison; and the scenic Wawona Meadow Loop Trail, winding through dense forests and surrounded by vast grasslands. The hotel serves buffet breakfast and dinner, and has a fully equipped bar for you to relax at the end of the day.

If you decide to travel during the October to November time period that worked well for us, be sure to pay close attention to weather-related road closures and seasonal facilities, such as bicycle rentals and access to Glacier Point. But this trade-off is worth it. Go and see for yourself.

For more information and to book an itinerary, please visit travelyosemite.com.

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