A quick visit to Yosemite

[YH]

Finding myself back in Fresno for the week gave me just the excuse I needed to make a run up to Yosemite. The weather was perfect! Clear skies, about 70* in the Valley and a Monday! I had forgotten about spring break so there were more people than I expected, but that could not dampen my excitement.

My daughter and son-in-law joined me making it even better. I decided to hike up to the top of Yosemite Falls. It’s a relatively short distance of 3.5 to the top and about another mile to the better observation area for RT distance of 7-9 miles. I suppose you can tack on another mile to and from the car.

The trail is a grind of endless switchbacks with much of it in the sun. The 60* starting temperature was deceptive and layers came off quickly. This hike is best done in spring before the Valley heat begins to set in. Many people underestimate the difficulty and leave themselves woefully short of water.

There are great views of Half Dome and the valley floor dropping below us. As we climb, the snowy Clark Range emerges to show off its distant peaks. The towering granite walls dwarf us as we make our way up.

Snow fields come and go and there remains a fair amount of snow in many areas above 6000ft.

The effort is rewarded richly with spectacular views and crisp mountain air. We decide to not continue on to the better viewing area because of deeper snow and steep granite. So after snacks and resting we make a quick decent back down to the valley floor.

It was a great day with loved ones in a loved place.

A few pics are in the gallery.

[IGO]

I knew you'd be back soon.
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"Surely all God's people, however serious or savage, great or small, like to play. Whales and elephants, dancing, humming gnats, and invisibly small mischievous microbes - all are warm with divine radium and must have lots of fun in them." John Muir

[threedogz]

Thanks for sharing. I am going to be planning a trip out there next year. I can't wait.
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You can never eat too much candy...

[Trishness]

Wonderful pictures! Guess I'll have to add this to my ever growing list of places to visit!


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~~~Trish~~~

"Eastward the dawn rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into guess; it was no more than a glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of the memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." � J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings.

[wanderingsoul]

Wonderful pictures indeed. Again another place I see and want to go. So many beautiful places. Hope I can reach at least half that I'd like to.
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Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

Positive Thinking Is the Spark that Makes Dreams Happen~~~Unknown

[Hikngrl]

Soon YH, Soon! I will be able to say been there done that!!! Got the T shirt! So what do you know about conditions? Does it look like the cables are gonna be up on Half Dome by mid May? Is every thing melting what do you suppose will be available to one who might be going there mid May? Huh? HUH? HUH? Enquiring minds want to know!
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~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

[YH]

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