First time Trip Itinerary Review

Hello everyone, this is going to be our first time at Yosemite and we only have about 2.5 days. I created this itinerary and wanted to get some of your thoughts on it. All suggestions are welcome!!!

Day 1: Yosemite Valley Immersion (August 24th) Early Morning (Before 7 AM): 🚗 Drive to Yosemite Valley & Park: Head straight to Yosemite Valley Lodge. Park and leave your car. Use the free shuttle system. Optional Sunrise: If very early, quick stop at Valley View for sunrise. Views: Valley View (if early) Morning: 🚶 Lower Yosemite Fall Trail: (1-mile loop, easy, paved). Hike: Lower Yosemite Fall Trail Views: Yosemite Falls 🏛️ Explore Visitor Center Area: Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite Museum. Afternoon: 🏨 Check into Lodge & Lunch: Yosemite Valley Lodge, Base Camp Eatery (or pack a picnic). 🚲 Bike Ride OR 🏞️ Mirror Lake Hike: Valley Loop Trail (bike rental) OR Mirror Lake Trailhead (shuttle stop #17). Hikes: Valley Loop Trail (bike) OR Mirror Lake Trail Views: Valley Views, Half Dome Reflection (if water in Mirror Lake) Evening: 🍽️ Dinner: Mountain Room Restaurant (reservations highly recommended) or Base Camp Eatery. 🌅 Sunset Viewing: Sentinel Bridge. Views: Half Dome from Sentinel Bridge

Day 2: Mist Trail Adventure (August 25th) Early Morning (Before 7 AM): 💦 Mist Trail Hike: Happy Isles (Shuttle Stop #16). Hike to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall (5-7 miles, strenuous). Be prepared to get wet! Optional Sunrise: At the trailhead or along the trail if starting very early. Hike: Mist Trail Views: Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Valley Views Alternative (Less Strenuous): 🥾 John Muir Trail: John Muir Trail to Vernal Fall (less steep route). Can connect to Mist Trail on the way down. Hike: John Muir Trail (to Vernal Fall) Views: Vernal Fall, Valley Views. Afternoon: 🧺 Lunch & Relaxation: Merced River. 🚶 Optional: Swinging Bridge (short walk). Hike: Swinging Bridge Trail (short) Views: Swinging Bridge area. Evening: 🍽️ Dinner: Lodge or Curry Village. ⭐ Sunset and Stargazing: Olmsted Point (if Tioga Road is open, requires driving). Views: Olmsted Point views.

Day 3: High Sierra Views & Departure (August 26th) Morning: 🌄 Check Out & Sunrise at Tunnel View: Drive to Tunnel View for the iconic panoramic view. Arrive before sunrise. Views: Tunnel View (El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall) ⛰️ Drive to Glacier Point: Glacier Point Road (check for road closures). Views: Glacier Point Road Views. 🏞️ Glacier Point Exploration: Take in the views of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, and Yosemite Falls. Views: Glacier Point (Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Valley)

Update: While this itinerary is AI generated, there is some nuance to it. So I watched about 15 videos on YouTube, picked my fav 4 and then asked Gemini to use the videos to create a template for me. Then I worked with it to tweak it to my liking. A bunch of prompt engineering to help me get what's perfect for me.