More Yosemite...we spent our only full day at the park walking the famous Mist Trail. It was a highlight of the trip. Here we go...
Checking out the
Merced River on the way to the
trail head.
Checking out the falls in the distance.
We weren't quite prepared for the "mist" part of the trail which is a 100 ft climb up slippery stone steps while getting soaked by mist from adjacent Vernal Falls.
Kieran was particularly unhappy with us, having surprised him with two of his least favorite things...wind and a cold shower. He recovered after a snack and warm wrap on the side of the trail while we chatted with other chilly hikers on their way past us. In hindsight we should have suspected something was up when we passed wet, garbage bag-clad groups of Japanese hikers on their way back to the
trail head. Oh well, we've been forgiven and now it is one of
Kieran's proudest moments of
back country hardship.
Warmer, drier, and mostly recovered, back on the trail above the mist.
First glimpse back down the valley.
Our
lunch mates at the picnic area at the top of Vernal Falls. Persistent little buggers.
We had some company to this point but from here on up we had the views mostly to ourselves.
On to
Nevada Falls.
What a beautiful day! We couldn't have had better weather, the best weather day of the trip.
4,000 ft up is the top of
Nevada Falls, a beautiful and tranquil spot with a spectacular view of some of the most famous peaks in the country.
Looking over the edge of
Nevada Falls.
Whoaaaaa!!!!
Half Dome.
What a view! Liberty Cap with Half Dome in the background.
Too bad
Kieran slept most of the way down and missed this. He was a champ, sitting in his backpack for 7+ hours that day.
Yosemite Falls from a meadow in the valley. The second half of our trip continues on the next page...
