• Home
  • Travel
  • Life

Passports and Poppets

~ Global Adventures With Friends and Family

Passports and Poppets

Tag Archives: Vernal Falls

Yosemite – Mist Trail

17 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by Sergio Caltagirone in Travel, United States

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

california, half dome, Hiking, National Park, squirrel, Vernal Falls, waterfall, Yosemite

16 June 2016 – Yesterday we were up on the rim looking down 4000 ft to the valley floor.  Today we were hiking in the Yosemite valley floor looking 4000 ft up.  We took the highly rated Mist Trail which leads to 3 waterfalls.  However, we only had time (and energy) to reach the first set at Vernal Falls.

Lucas attempts to start a fire bybrubbing a rock on a stick before our hike


1.5 miles of 10 degree incline gaining 1000 ft is quite a challenge for little legs. Plus, we aren’t in full hiking shape this year.  After yesterday’s climb, I mistakenly thought the hike would be easier than it was.  I recorded 300 flights of stairs on my fitness tracker.
The park was not overly crowded but even on light days the valley floor can be overwhelmed.  We found parking to be something of a challenge but luckily only had to search for about 10 minutes.  However, it put us about .75 miles from the trailhead.

The kids found some granite boulders to climb along the path


The trail itself is paved and follows the path of the river which keeps it cool – but also increases the mosquito population as it nears evening. The trail is also really busy.  Too busy for our taste, but still – its Yosemite, so one cannot complain too much. 

The kids had a bit of a rough go on the incline given a lack of sleep and the strenuous hike the previous day up the Panorama trail, especially Aurelia.  But we managed.  The primary portion of the trail ends at the Vernal Falls bridge, where you see the lower falls directly below you.  However, to see the more spectacular upper falls you have to go, that’s right, higher 🙂

Fat squirrel on the trail

Lower Vernal Falls and the Yosemite Valley


We continued to the upper falls which were astounding – water falling from a straight-edged cliff making it look like a curtain.  The trail ends and one point and continues as a steep stairway cut into the granite along the river canyon.  You feel both the mist of the spray as well as the vibration of the falling water.  We went only a quarter way up the steps and  turned around to head back down.  It was just too much for the kids – and too much of a risk with them so tired.

We returned to our car at about 6:15.  The sun was going down and the 70 degree weather was more like 55 – so we put on our jackets and enjoyed dinner al fresco beneath half dome amongst the majesty of Yosemite.

Dinner beneath half dome


On the way out of Yosemite, the park decided to give us one more treat – a beautiful view of half dome during the sunset.

Half Dome as the sun falls behind the rim of the valley

37.736230 -119.563618

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Like this:

Like Loading...

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 992 other followers

Recent Posts

  • 7-15 April Morgan Hill, CA to New Orleans, LA
  • San Antonio, The Alamo, and Riverwalk
  • Meteor Crater
  • Grand Canyon
  • Lake Isabella/Kern Valley

Categories

  • Advice (1)
  • Life (2)
  • Travel (61)
    • Europe (14)
    • United Kingdom (8)
  • United States (39)

Archives

  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • June 2016
  • December 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • March 2013
  • October 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • April 2012

Flickr Photos

DSC_0241Buildings in RondaDSC_0268DSC_0277DSC_0276
More Photos

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Passports and Poppets
    • Join 992 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Passports and Poppets
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: