We managed to find a couple of days to drive up to Yosemite. Being so late in the season, the weather was perfect and the crowds weren't too bad. The important thing (for me) was to see the park this fall before the snow makes everything inaccessible. And to get a few good hikes in before my condition would prevent me from exploring. So here are a few pics!
Because we made our reservations only a week in advance much of the campsite/lodging options on the valley floor were at capacity. So we stayed outside the west entrance of the park at the "Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort". We choose to split the difference between camping and a cabin with this enclosed permanent tent with a shared bathhouse up the hill. Not too bad for $45 a night.
We began our first day by hiking up to Vernal Falls (about 3 miles roundtrip). Now, were I not pregnant we would have continued up to Nevada Falls (4.8 miles), or maybe attempted a climb up to Half Dome (about 14 miles). All follow the same Mist Trail, it just depends on how far up you choose to hike. Vernal Falls itself was strenuous, spectacular, and I was satisfied. These photos have a hard time putting the grandur of the falls into scale. Really dramatic and rewarding hike. (
Here is a great resource for all of Yosemite's hikes if you're traveling in the area).
Also good that we completed this trail in the fall when the flow on the falls was down. In the spring no one hikes this trail without getting soaking wet - the spray and the mist in the canyon is that intense. Also a slippery trail would have made this a greater challenge to hike.
The rest of the afternoon we spent doing smaller hikes in the valley. Below is Lower Yosemite and Upper Yosemite Falls. Again, much more dramatic falls in the Spring.
View of El Capitan, Bridal Vail Falls, and Half Dome from Inspiration Point.
We drove up to Glacier point in the evening to get this spectacular view of the valley. In the photos below you can see Half Dome, and to the right of that, Vernal and Nevada Falls.
A nice stop at sunset as we were exiting the park. El Capitan and Bridal Vail Falls in the background.
We dedicated day 2 to the Giant Sequoias of Mariposa Grove. Again, it is really difficult to photograph these trees! How do you put such width into scale? This forest felt very different than the last time I visited (with my class of Landscape Architects in 2004). Sequoias thrive with regular controlled burning of the forest brush about every 15 years. The last burn of this famous grove was in 2008 and the understory was noticeably scarred and cleared of much new growth. After chatting with a ranger I learned that the last controlled burn had gotten a little out of hand and did more damage than intended. The old sequoias were fine but the rest of its forest occupants looked like it was taking a little while to recover.
