Back from Yosemite!
 

I am finally finding a moment to write a report of my trip to Yosemite. Although it was my second trip there, it was a completely different trip than my first. Our first trip there was during the fall, so it was dry season - no waterfalls! Well, this time couldn't have been any more different - the big snow they got this winter has melted resulting in spectacular waterfalls!

So here's a day by day breakdown of our activities:

Sun. 5/15 Drove into Yosemite via Hwy 140. Before getting into the park, we stopped in Mariposa and did some grocery shopping. We rented a condo in Yosemite West for the 3 of us. It was basic and comfortable. We really liked the ability to cook instead of eating out every day. It was about 1/2 hour drive into the Valley, 20 minutes to Wawona & 35 minutes to Mariposa Grove. The location is very close to the road going to Glacier Point.
Stopped at the Tunnel View. Cloudy sunset.

Mon. 5/16 It had rained all night and hence, the Valley was closed! We were stopped by rangers near the road to Glacier Point had us turn back, so we spent the day doing the hike at Mariposa Grove of giant Sequoias. Always a fun time among the giant trees. There was still snow on the trail. Turned out to be a sunny day.

Tues. 5/17 Yay the Valley has reopened! First stop was at Bridal Veil falls. Wow it was really gushing. We really got wet and we didn't go all the way to the very base. The water level was amazing - you could hear it roar coming down. After stopping at the Visitor Center, we walked over to Lower Yosemite Falls, where, again, the falls were amazingly full. The last time we were here, we called the area Yosemite Walls, so this was very exciting. Then headed over to do part of the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. It was a strenuous hike but the views of the surrounding mountains and YF were wonderful.
Every hike we did ended up being somewhat sloppy. I am very glad I wore my Keen Taos performed extremely well - secure footing, comfy and no blisters!

Wed., 5/18 Stopped at the Wawona Tunnel for the view. It was really neat this morning with the mist laying over the Valley. The off for our big hike to Vernal & Nevada Falls. What a great hike. It was strenuous going up the Mist Trail to Vernal, but it was worth it. Here's where the raingear came in handy. We really got soaked! We returned to the valley via the John Muir Trail. It was much less stress on the old knees! It started out a cloudy, cool day but ended up getting warmer by day's end. But another cloudy view at the Tunnel.

Thur., 5/19 Sunny day! Neat view at the Tunnel. I got a picture of a long, rounded cloud over Half Dome.
We went on a photography walk with Christine from the Ansel Adams Gallery. It was our 2nd time going out with her and I really enjoy her enthusiasm and her tips. We walked around the Valley taking pictures of the Falls and other scenery reflected in pools of water. After lunching at Degnan's Deli, we headed over to Mirror Lake, which was a meadow when I was here last. How exciting. We did the loop trail (again, extremely wet & sloppy). After that, we finished our day admiring half Dome at Sentinel Bridge, then another stop at the Tunnel. Cloudy, but with blue skies this time.

Fri. 5/20 Our last day. Started off nice and sunny. Drove to Hetch Hetchy, on the northern side of Yosemite via Hwy 120. It was a beautiful, quiet alternative to the Valley. We did the hike to Wapama Falls, although we never got to Wapama b/c the trail was flooded. The trail was really very pretty - lots of spring wildflowers dotted the trail and made for a pleasant stroll. Although it started sunny, it turned very cloudy halfway into our hike. It was actually nice, the trail is exposed and had no shade.
Had lunch at Evergreen Lodge. It was delicious! We stayed here a couple of nights on our last trip and really enjoyed it here. They have since put a lot of money into remodeling and expansion and it looks great. They also now have an activities center.
Drove back into the main park and went for a hike at the Tuolumne Grove of big trees. It was an exhausting hike, considering you walk down the trail and have to come back up for about a mile. It was worth it - there is a ginormous fallen tree that is really impressive! Snow on this trail too.
Along the way back to the condo, we stopped and saw some really nice views of BridalVeil and Cascade Creek, which was roaring! And of course the obligatory stop at the Tunnel for our last view- sunny but clouds covered Half Dome. Oh well.

It was a gorgeous trip. The Rangers are saying that Yosemite Falls may be on thru the whole season with all the snow melt and spring rains.

So hope you all can go and enjoy it too - but remember to bring your ponchos & bug spray! And when in doubt, call the park hotline to make sure the roads are open to the Valley - 209-372-0200.

Tina

Tina, we were also in Yosemite last Thursday; we were visiting my dad last week, who lives about an hour south of there. I hadn't been for a few years, and we had a wonderful day. If anyone is thinking of a trip to Yosemite, go soon and enjoy all the water!

Lee Ann

Great trip report! We've been to Yosemite a couple of dozen times, but I never get tired of going. The last several years we've only been able to manage going in the fall when like you say it was Yosemite Wall instead of Fall. I was really missing the roar of the falls so we went in April.

Utahtea

We would love to bring the kids to Yosemite sometime but we're usually so busy in the spring. We thought we might be able to go in August. It would be wonderful if the falls are still going. I have been to Yosemite when you could only see the upper part of Yosemite Falls. It was still great, though, because the lowest fall was a little sliver of water that emptied into a beautiful pool that you could swim in. (If you could stand the frigid temp)

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