John Muir called Yosemite “the grandest of all temples of nature.” Quite the statement to try and live up to. This place. It’s reputation. I didn’t think it could deliver.
Haha. Wow. Was I wrong. This place has captured me.
Today we drove in early hoping to rent bikes and ride the 7 mile valley loop but due to smoke they weren’t renting them until lunchtime. So we hiked Mist Trail up to Vernal Falls. This was about a 6 mile up and back. The trail follows an elevated path alongside the river and is spectacular all the way through. So many times we stopped to take it all in. but the best reward was at the top after the granite staircase, Vernal Falls. Nearly 320 foot waterfall at 3200 feet high already. Ellis cared more about RJ squirrels but was a trooper.
The valley is amazing. And so accessible. Unlike the other parks, most of the marquee trails and sites in Yosemite can be accessed within the 7 mile valley loop. We took the loops a few times, stopping to take in El Cap, Half Dome and others peaks. Then headed back to end the day at the pool. Lots of tired kids.Read more
TravelerThe Great Northwest - incomparable in its grandeur!