Monday, August 15, 2016

NoCal Trip Report Part 1 - Yosemite National Park

I normally would not have traveled to Yosemite National Park the first week of August, as that is probably the most crowded time to go.  But that was literally the only time all five of our family could travel together all summer.  Yosemite Valley was quite crowded as expected but it wasn't too bad.  Once you got going on a trail, the crowds lessened considerably.   Except for Vernal and Nevada Falls which still had a lot of water, the waterfalls were just a trickle this time of year.  The best time to go see the waterfalls is in the spring as the snow melt really gets going.

We drove to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco early the morning after flying in and immediately checked into Half Dome Village (formerly called Curry Village due to a recent and controversial change in contractor services).  I reserved our tent over six months in advance.  I got some good advice from a couple of friends about what hikes to take and this guide here also really helped.  There is a ton of great info out there about Yosemite hiking.  I did a lot of research and planning to prepare for these hikes.  

After we checked in, we went for a late afternoon hike.  We took the Valley shuttle one stop over to the Happy Isles Trailhead and took the Mist Trail up to Vernal Falls, and onwards to the top of Nevada Falls (at which point the crowds really thinned out), then back down the John Muir Trail to the Valley, and back to Half Dome Village.  This was approx 8 miles roundtrip.





Vernal Falls



The trail to the top of Vernal Falls






The staircase to the top of Nevada Falls



We saw a rattlesnake thanks to some other hikers who pointed him out to us.  He was right next to the trail - check out that rattle.



Top of Nevada Falls



Liberty Cap



That is the back view of Half Dome (top left), Liberty Cap in the middle, Nevada Falls to the right - this is the view from the John Muir Trail.





The next day we drove 1 hr up to Glacier Point.  Tip - in summer, go early so you can get a parking space.  From there, we hiked up the Pohono Trail up to Sentinel Dome for the 360 degree views, then on to The Fissures and Taft Point, then back to Glacier Point.  This was approx 8 miles roundtrip.  


We saw two different bears very close to Glacier Point.  This was the second one we saw (a young brown haired black bear).  He was up the hill from us as we were hiking.  Right after I took this pic, he found a bees nest in the ground and started digging into it.  Those bees let him have it and he took off down the hill trying to shake off the bees.  He crossed the trail in front of us, leaving a big trail of dust behind.   We had to wait a little while to let the bees settle down before continuing on the hike.




That is the world famous El Capitan wall to the right




The Fissures





For perspective, Kris is at the upper right of this fissure - check out how big that crack is.



Taft Point - the Valley floor below and El Cap to the right.  Yes, that is someone standing at that ledge.



Taft Point







This makes it look like the kids are looking at a big painting.  These pictures don't do this place justice. 




Half Dome and Yosemite Valley


panoramic shot



You can see Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls to the right



My best Ansel Adams impression



Hiking dirt!



Tunnel View - you can barely make out Bridal Veil Falls to the right.  Its apparently a real gusher in the spring.   El Capitan is on the left, and that is Half Dome in the very back in the distance.



El Capitan from the Valley floor


a post hike swim in the Merced River in front of El Cap





The next day, we rested (and called it an active rest day) by renting bikes for a casual ride on the nice bike path around the valley floor.   We stopped at several spots and did some exploring.





The historic Ahwahnee Hotel (now called the Majestic Yosemite Hotel)


Yes, that is a deer in front of the kids on the hotel grounds.  He clearly wasn't afraid of people.



The Ahwahnee Hotel interior




The dining room - we had a nice lunch here





Yosemite Falls, just a trickle in late summer, normally a big snow melt gusher in the spring



We rented rafts that afternoon for a fun lazy float down the Merced River















These are the tents at Half Dome Village.  Very basic - wooden floors, one light, no outlets, and each tent had its own safe, some shelving, and a bear box (where you store food and anything with a scent).  They have a strict policy around this.  Our tent had 3 twin beds and one double bed.  It was fun for three nights, but we were ready for bigger digs after that.  




Our last day in Yosemite, we left the Valley crowds behind and drove 1 hr to Tuolumne Meadows (on the way out to Lake Tahoe), another beautiful area of Yosemite.  It was less crowded here.  We stopped and hiked the John Muir Trail to Cathedral Lakes.  Approx 7 miles roundtrip.







Lower Cathedral Lake















10 comments:

Alannc44 said...

Absolutely gorgeous!

I'm going to put Yosemite hikes on my bucket list now. Thanks for the pics.
Alan

Best Longboards said...

Yosemite National Park is a place where you can see every single beauty of the nature. great place i ever seen. i really appreciate and happy to all the pic. thanks for sharing with us.

Russel said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
SabrinaGreen said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Brooke Higgins said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Simon Mayers said...

Northside Family Law Centre is a dedicated and experienced Legal firm of Brisbane Family lawyers located at Chermside and Sandgate on Brisbane Northside.
Read More

James Larson said...

Family Lawyers is a highly regarded Adelaide family law firm known for specialising in all aspects of family law
Visit My Website

Change Jesse Cotter said...

Emotions are heavy in child custody disputes which makes it one of the most difficult areas in the family law. We want to guide you to make good choices for your ...Click To read More

Eve Dawbin said...

The SEO Company is Australia's most trusted SEO consultancy with more ... When brands, retailers, trade businesses and service providers need SEO.
Click To read More

Family law dictionary said...

commercial law and litigation firm comprising leading lawyers committed to providing the highest quality legal services
Visit My Website