LOS ANGELES — Let’s just get this out of the way: Hiking through Yosemite Valley, whether it be to Vernal and Nevada falls or through Cook’s Meadow, is a mesmerizing and special experience.

The hulking granite walls will remind you how small you are — and how remarkable our world is. Listening as waterfalls thunder down the mountain can place you in a meditative trance if you let it. The beauty of the valley is the best kind of sensory overload. It’s the reason that, at times, Yosemite can feel a bit crowded and why so many Angelenos are willing to drive five and a half hours north to reach it.

If you’re wanting to experience Yosemite’s beauty without the crowds, then I have a little treat for you. Recently, I visited the park with my friend Patrick in search of a hike around Yosemite Va

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