Yosemite Valley 2010

Spent July 4th at Yosemite for 2010. We had a cabin in Yosemite West, and did a number of hikes around Yosemite Valley. We did a number of hikes including Yosemite Falls on Day 1. Mirror Lake, Vernal Falls, and Nevada Falls on Day 2. And finally Glacier Point on Day 3. Entrance fee to the park was $20 a car (but lasts a full 7 days). Follow is a short description and our experience of each major attraction.

Yosemite Falls is one of the shorter hikes and is very accessible. If you feel daring, many venture off the path to get a closer angle at the falls. You can get so close that you can get soaked by the mist caused by the waterfall. At part of the hike, you can see all three portions of the Yosemite Falls. Below are some of our pictures from Yosemite Falls.

Us in front of Yosemite Falls

A huge splash at the bottom of Yosemite Falls

The guys at Yosemite Falls

From here, you can see all three levels of Yosemite Falls

Mirror Lake is also relatively short, but has a steeper incline compared to Yosemite Falls. The path is entirely paved and is great for bikers. Those who bring their own bikes can bike directly to the falls. Renters are limited to biking halfway, and walking the rest. From Mirror Lake, you also get an awesome view of Half Dome’s flat side!

Mirror Lake with a mountain reflection

The perfect shot of Mirror Lake

Group Picture at Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake and surrounding mountains

Mirror Lake on a perfectly blue day!

Vernal Falls is a much more challenging hike compared to Yosemite Falls and Mirror Lake. The path is only paved a bit in the beginning, and then becomes an much narrower dirt path. As you get closer to the fall, the path is much more of a climb on stones. When you are at the bottom of the falls, you have the option to hike to the top of falls. It follows the side of the valley along slippery stones, so be sure to wear shoes with good traction. By the time you get half way up, you are likely to be completely drenched by the water fall mist. I even saw a couple of visitors wearing ponchos! This is a great place to stop and have lunch, which we did.

A clear unobstructed view of Vernal Falls

Rushing Waters with a Rainbow

All the mist caused by Vernal Falls

The slippery wet steps on the hike towards Vernal Falls

The power of the Vernal Falls

View from the top of Vernal Falls

The falls the the river at the bottom!

Nevada Falls is the next water fall after continuing on from Vernal Falls. The difficulty of this hike is the same as the hike up to Vernal Falls, and the view is very similar. You get the option to hike to the top of Nevada Falls as well. There, we took a long rest and put our feet into the river water. The water was very cold! This would have also been a great place for lunch.

Wooden footbridge right at the top of Nevada Falls

Another view of the footbridge

View straight down from the top of Nevada Falls

Wet portion of the path!

The view of Nevada Falls from afar

The rushing water at the top of Nevada Falls

Right at the bottom of Nevada Falls

Glacier Point is a long hike from Nevada Falls, but we decided not to hike due to time and water constraints. It is much longer and probably much steeper as well. There is the option to take a 15 mile drive from highway 41 to the top. From there, we could see both Half Dome, Vernal Falls, and Nevada Falls. It was a great way to end the trip.

View of Half Dome, Vernal Falls, and Nevada Falls

Now for a few random pictures that were taken at various stop points or along the way!

Two squirrels kissing!

View of Half Dome

This is a blue bird on a fence post