Non Hikers Visit Yosemite, Kings Canyon
 

In September there will be 4 adults in their 60s visiting Yosemite and Kings Canyon. Possibly Sequoia Park. The problem is the men don't hike so can anyone give me an itinerary leaving from Los Angeles area. I have looked at shuttle bus tours from Yosemite Valley, but unsure how to best approach this trip. we want to see the area but not extended. At most 5 days. What can you suggest?

There is plenty to see in Yosemite without hiking - don't worry about that. We are spending 4 nights there later this month and taking my mom who recently had a heart attack, so definitely no hikes for her. And in September, you will have more of the park open to you than we will have this month.

There is an open-air motorized tour of the valley that is really good. It leaves from the lodge about every hour or so and lasts a couple hours. You go past most of the hightlights of the valley with a ranger narrating. I think this is a good introduction - then you can go back and spend more time at some of the areas if you like.

If you enjoy biking, there are bike rentals and lots of paved, flat trails in the valley.

There are quite a few short walks in the valley itself - along the Merced River, along the different creeks. The waterfalls wont be gushing, but the big ones should still be running pretty well.

Lots of great meadows and places to watch wildlife and picnic.

In Yosemite Village there is a recreation of an Indian village that is neat to see.

You can take a drive up to Glacier Point, to Toulumne Meadows, to Mariposa Grove.

And of course, don't forget time just being in the splendor of Yosemite - relaxing by the river, etc.

For Sequoia - there are several sequoia groves that don't require hiking. They've got paved paths, round trip less than a mile. Grant Grove is one, another is in the Giant Forest area. Giant Forest also has a neat visitors center. From there you can drive to the auto log, which is a fallen sequoia with a tunnel carved out to drive through. Crescent Meadow is neat - there is a path around it about a mile and a half long and pretty flat, or you can enjoy the view from the parking area.

So don't worry about not hiking - plenty to do in both parks :)

You need to do a search on Kings Canyon. I remember mountains there, maybe difficult for non-hikers. Same is Sequoia.

I'm a non hiker, but I enjoyed both Sequoia and Kings Canyon. We did a couple of short walks in Kings, but it was horrible weather (heavy rain and thunderstorm)whilst we were there so we stayed in the car and dodged the falling boulders mostly. There is lots to see in Sequoia without having to hike.

Park your car and take the tours. Much more enjoyable for everyone on board. Tours available are valley floor tour, grand tour, tuolumne meadows, glacier point, big trees & moonlight. Details about these tours can be found by clicking on the tour name in the left column here:

http://www.yosemitepark.com/Activiti...dBusTours.aspx

I don't think you would enjoy Kings Canyon much without hiking. There are several short easy hikes to do in Sequoia. About anyone can make it to the General Sherman Tree. You could even get there in a wheelchair. I don't know that is considered wheelchair accessable, but it could be done. There are plenty of overlooks and vista's along the way to stop at. It would be a shame to go to Kings Canyon and not continue the short drive on to General Sherman Tree. It's that largest living thing on the planet. Plenty of other large trees right near the car as you drive.

Thank all of you so much for the 'non hiker' replies. We have traveled in Europe for the last couple years, and with the euro price hike,decided we have many beautiful areas in our own country that we haven't seen. I am looking forward to our trip. Thanks again,