Songdoc

Sept. 28th - Oct. 6th
Cast of Characters: a devastatingly handsome male married couple, 60 & 64

The main purpose of this trip was to attend a memorial service for a very special friend in San Francisco. Since we’d be traveling all the way from Nashville, we decided to add some days to visit friends and do some photography in Yosemite. A few days before the trip I almost canceled the Yosemite portion because temps were predicted to reach 93 degrees--much too hot for me to be outdoors--especially hiking. But thankfully, those on this forum convinced me to reconsider.

We flew SW airlines into San Jose and were quickly in the rental car we’d reserved at a great price through Costco. There’s no shuttle required to get to the rental cars at SJO.

Our only stop en route to Yosemite was in Merced, where it was over a hundred degrees. We were hungry and hadn’t passed any restaurants in quite a while when Marcelino Carnitas Barajas appeared like a mirage. All of the customers and employees were Hispanic and the items on the menu were more “authentic” than I’m used to. We both ordered chicken burritos and agreed they were by far, the best we’d ever eaten. Wow! We got gas next door to the restaurant and continued on to the Yosemite View Lodge, which is about a 30-minute drive from Yosemite Village, and is the closest lodgings outside the park. This trip was only booked a few weeks in advance and all the park lodgings and campgrounds were full.

We’d stayed at the Yosemite View Lodge on our only other trip to Yosemite--about ten years ago--and liked it enough to book again. We booked it on Trivago this time, for $200/night, which was a better rate than any other website. Our previous visit had been during springtime and we’d sprung for a river view room. It was phenomenal, with the sights and sounds of the Merced river gushing by just outside out balcony. This time we saved the extra $50/night because we’d been told the Merced River would likely be little more than a trickle. Luckily, we got upgraded, because while it wasn’t exactly gushing, the river was still flowing and we really enjoyed the view and the sound.

I’m a bit of a photography nut and I have a book and calendar of my nature photography and inspirational writings being test-marketed by a major company. So, taking photos was a big part of the trip. We signed up for the free Ansel Adams Center’s Photography Walk for the first morning in the park, the moment the registration opened. But there were detours, and the signs were very confusing. We parked where we thought we should be, only to find (after ten or fifteen minutes of walking) that we were miles away from our destination. By the time we rushed back to the car, drove to the center and parked, we had missed the walk. I was SO frustrated. But, we were able to sign up for another walk, albeit on the final morning of our trip. FYI, that walk was terrific.

The guide was a ranger who is also a pro photographer. She took us to some of the spots where Adams took iconic photos and discussed the light and framing considerations. But the best part was when she took us to some stunning locations, specifically to photograph reflections in the water. She said that, with few exceptions, the waterfalls would not be flowing this time of year and Mirror Lake would be dry, but the upside was that the water in several streams would be still and provide mirror-like reflections. She wasn’t kidding. I took some great shots.

Our hotel room included a kitchenette, which was perfect for us. I try to eat boring and healthy foods, which is not easy to do when traveling. The El Portal market (one mile from our hotel) had a good selection at considerably lower prices than the store attached to our hotel. They had some very good pre-made salads and sandwiches, which became most of our lunches and dinners. “Lala’s Chicken and pasta salad” got our highest score. Our only two meals in the park were at a deli and a takeaway market. They were only fair.

Our typical day was spent hiking a few hours in the morning (and seeing lots of deer), going back to the hotel to rest during the hottest part of the day, then heading back to the park late afternoon for another walk. Each evening we went somewhere different to watch the sunset: Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Dome. Each was spectacular.

The hike up Sentinel Dome had some strenuous parts, particularly at the end, but those views were well worth it. By the time we got back to our car it was dark and we were using our cell phone flashlights! But, ohhhh, that sunset was gorgeous!

The Misty Trail was strenuous enough to push us, but not difficult for us to do. But we gave our tired old legs a workout. It got us up close to Vernal Falls, which was the only waterfall with significant flow. Taft’s Point was also very beautiful.

We loved Yosemite and are so glad we didn’t let the weather change our mind. The temperatures were mostly perfect and we had clear blue skies. After four nights, it was time to head to San Francisco.

To be continued …

janisj

>>But thankfully, those on this forum convinced me to reconsider.

MichelleY

Glad it worked out.

SeeDee

Very informative report, thank you.
Of the areas in the park that you hiked - Mist Trail, Sentinel Dome. Taft Point - would you consider any of them a likely problem for a walker fearful of drop offs without guard rails?

Songdoc

The only place where there would be any issue would be a few spots at the end of the Taft Trail. But those spots are easily avoidable. There are plenty of spectacular lookouts at the end of that trail that have guardrails.

There are no guardrails at the top of Sentinel Dome, but there is no need to go anywhere near the edge--unless you wanted to.

I think you'd be fine with any of these. Enjoy!!!