Yosemite Trip

Well the first trip of the year has finally come and gone. Spent last week up in Yosemite Valley, Upper Pines, Campsite 165 to be exact. Got in a few good hikes, some lounge time in the campground and a few quality moments with my brother. Yes moments... if you knew him you would know, but I love him anyway!

Well the trip really started when we were on the road at 5am Sunday morning. Nothing like beating the crowds, as some would say. Like my brother, I love getting an early start on a trip, it gives you that extra day you are always looking for. On the way up we stopped off at our 'new' spot Bravo Farms. Check it out... the food is GRUB, the people are cool and the cheese, mmmmmmmmmmmm!

So what do you do when you have 5 days in the park and it's not even 2pm on the first day? Tent is out, food is stored and the first beer has been cracked-n-crushed... well you have to grab your bike and head on over to Curry Village Pizzeria, grab a nice seat in the lobby and chill. Lobby? Yeah it was little wet outside and well we were going to see a lot of the outside during the next few days! I had a blast chill'n with my bro, getting caught up and then we had pizza; not like its the shizz, but it does the job well.

Yosemite Falls

Well the first hike of the week was to Yosemite Falls and then Yosemite Point. Talk about a butt kicker and Rick, as usual, basically ran up this trail; we finished the 7.92 miles round trip, 3850 ft ascent, in just over 5.25 hours. The day was a bit hazy, but that did not take away some beautiful scenes.

Half Dome from Yosemite Falls Trail

On the way up, there was the last remanence of the storm. One of my favorite Ansel Adams pictures is of a storm clearing out of Yosemite Valley. Still a little bummed that we could not hike Half Dome due to the cables to the top aren't up yet, but I will attack that beast later this year.

Half Dome from Yosemite Point

It is always good to get the heart pumping, clearing your head of all the normal BS and breathing some fresh air. Can wait to tackle this one again, but next time I want to head over to either the top of El Capitan or North Dome.

The next day Rick says, let take a little hike up to Vernal or Nevada Falls... OK!

Mist Trail, right below Vernal Falls

Yeah, I think my brothers memory did not serve him well on that one. That is on butt kicker of a hike to Nevada Falls. Yeah I know Half Dome is up this thing, but we did Yosemite Falls yesterday. Again Rick ran up the trail with me in tow; 7.19 miles round trip, 2276 ft ascent, in just over 3 hours.

Nevada Falls from pack trail

I think this is my favorite fall I have seen in the park. The amount of water that is flowing in right now is insane. I have always been in Yosemite in the mid-to-late summer, but never this early. Next year I want to get a winter trip in for some snowy shots.

Rick above Nevada Falls

After this hike we headed over to Ahwahnee Hotel and enjoy a nice anti pasta plate and bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Well Wednesday Rick had to head back to reality, but not me!

El Capitan from Merced River

Well I foolishly thought that I might get some fishing in on this trip... well at least I got my line wet! They had a lot of rules regarding fishing in the valley; no bait and only lures with no barbs. I did not see any fish and figured it was for the best. Spent the morning riding around the valley floor looking for some nice shots and then made it back to camp for some afternoon reading.

North Dome and Half Dome from Four Mile Trail

I decide to get one more hike in this trip, but decided against heading up past Half Dome to Clouds Rest; it is another +5 miles past Nevada Falls and I was still good and sore from the first two hikes. I road my bike over to Four Mile Trail (to Glacier Point) to see how far I could get. Just past half way, but I was ready for more!

Yosemite Falls from Four Mile Trail

Even before I place my boot on the trail I already knew I was not going to make it to the top; there was a sign stating the trails was closed before the top due to hazardous conditions. :(

Oh well, for another trip and besides my knees did take a beating. Spent the rest of the day ready, and finally finishing my book.

North Valley Wall from Glacier Point

Friday just came too quick... I was packed and out of camp by 8:15am, plenty of time to head up to Glacier Point before heading down to my aunts house.

Can't wait to go back, but the next trip will be on the Eastern Sierra and some real fishing!

Go out and enjoy what the Good Lord has given us.