When you go out on a trek with us, we take safety very seriously. Although there are some hazardous possibilities out there, with a little knowledge, you’ll be fine. We’ll be there every step of the way, so if you follow our lead and use a little common sense, everything will be great.

Yosemite National Park offers some of the most amazing sights you’ll see anywhere in the world. When you’re out hiking or far away from shelter in the park, sometimes the weather can change rapidly. I know it’s happened to me a time or two along the way. Afternoon thunderstorms are pretty common in Yosemite and can be severe. The lightning is usually bad and there is often hail involved as well.

You don’t want to be hiking up Half Dome or in Yosemite Valley when one of these storms come along. You’ll want to stay away from any of the high peaks (and there’s a lot of them in Yosemite), caves, or wet areas. Try and set up camp before noon if you can and you’ll be sure to avoid the majority of weather swings.

Another unique feature of Yosemite is the length of time that snow hangs around. You can find it in the higher reaches of the park into July. This means that if you’re planning on hiking up high, always be prepared and cautious. Sometimes snow can hide treacherous conditions for hiking and can make it dangerous. Be aware of this before you go. I don’t want to be the one to search for you in the snow of Yosemite Park.

Out on the trails in Yosemite, you are destined to run into some animals along the way. Most of them are fun to encounter and make the trip memorable. However, some of the animals can be dangerous if you don’t act appropriately. For example, if you see a bear on the trail, don’t approach it. Know that it can hurt or kill you very easily, but it probably won’t bother you if you don’t provoke it.

If you have small children, make sure that they stay close to you on the trail. There are mountain lions throughout the park and the last thing you want is for your child to run into one alone. They usually don’t attack people, but you’ll still want to stay as far away as possible. If you encounter one, try to look bigger and make a lot of noise. Whatever you do, don’t run, because it can run faster than you. Your best bet is to scare it away.

Overall, Yosemite is a magnificent place that will present you and your family with life-long memories. Just remember to be safe when you’re out on the trails. No one wants their vacation to end with an injury or something worse.