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Jonathon ReedExplorer

Adventure-based photographer and videographer. Sunriser.

Hiked the Pohono Trail beginning at Tunnel View, so our first night on the trail was at Dewey Point. It was absolutely stunning. No people there—despite the bustling crowds of Yosemite Valley—just the trees and the wind and the orange sunset sky. You've got to experience it.

The highway itself is pretty remarkable as it winds its way along the Santa Lucia mountains above the Pacific Ocean. Some other spots to look up would be the Henry Miller Memorial Library, the New Camaldoli Hermitage and Limekiln State Park. But all you really need is the Pacific. Buy gas before you get to Highway 1. There's gas available but it's expensive.

Highly recommend, as Hillary said it's a hike unlike any other. The water, the boulders, the cliffs all make it an extremely memorable spot. Water was very cold mid-fall but still not unbearable. Saw lots of people with gear from some nearby adventure outfitter (e.g. socks, shoes, splash pants, walking stick) and as far as I could tell unless you're getting a dry suit or something like that, it was a rip-off. Your feet are getting wet no matter what. Cannot stress enough how much I recommend going as early as you can. We caught the first bus and saw about 10 people for the first few hours, and then on the way back crossed paths with literally over 1,000 on our way back before we got back to the shuttle stop. It was worth being more cold to avoid that throng of people.