We can now cross off Yosemite National Park off our Bucket List. We seen it, been there, done that. All I can say is “wow”! All the foreign people that love to come and see our National Parks! I think so far it had the most people than any of the few other National Parks that we have seen thus far, with Zion NP coming in a close second.
On our first day going into Yosemite NP, we first had difficulty finding even a parking spot, and ended up parking along the roadway. At first glance-it seemed confusing, but soon figured out where all things were at.
With our map in hand, we jumped on a bus shuttle and stopped at Mirror Lake. Since it was late afternoon and really didn’t want to get on any lengthy hikes, we opted a short easy hike to Mirror Lake.
After the short hike, we needed to figure out which stop we needed in order to find our truck once again, but not after first finding the visitor center for more info. Once we got what we needed it was time to head home and study all the information that was handed to us and figure out what we wanted to do and what hikes we wanted to come in.
Being that we literally could not get camping reservations inside of Yosemite (all booked up), we reserved a campsite to the nearest entrance to Yosemite; Dimond O Campground. We soon learned that it was only a very short distant to the West Entrance to Yosemite NP, however it was well over an hour drive just to get to Yosemite Valley! So we really needed to decided how many time we want to head in.
We finally settled on three different trips into Yosemite Valley with three long hikes involved. The first one was to Vernal and Nevada Falls, the second one would be to Lower & Upper Yosemite Falls and last would be just doing the Lower Loop Trail around Yosemite Valley. We also already decided that we would stay away from the Valley on the weekend, and do all of our hiking trips during the week.
We did do Hetch Hetchy On a Sunday, and that was a spectacular five mile hike to a gorgeous waterfall. Hetch Hetchy is probably the least seen by visitors, due to the fact that getting to it isn’t in direct route of the other entrances to Yosemite. It has a separate entrance station and in the very Northwestern corner of the National Park. Don’t get me wrong, there were still plenty of people on the trail, but no where near crowded and was very enjoyable and relaxing hike out of the whole trip.
Also Hetch Hetchy has a strict entrance guideline; you could not be over 25 feet long and 8 feet wide-and that is strictly enforced! After being on the road into Hetch Hetchy-I quickly understood why!
Getting back into Yosemite NP, we were all geared up and excited for our first hike to Vernal & Nevada Falls. This would be a strenuous 5 mile hike. So we were up early and heading in.
On the way, we stopped to take pictures of the valley and surrounding area.
Another quick stop and short hike to Bridalveil Falls
Now it’s time once again to find a parking spot. This time I manage to find a perfect parking spot near shuttle stop #11, easy in, easy out. Jumped onto the shuttle and had them drop us off to the nearest stop to the trail head.
First part of the trail was black top, but it isn’t easy because the whole time you are gain elevation. Many folks, including us was taking breaks quite frequently. The trail became very busy with many of us wanting to get at Vernal Falls. We ran into at least 3 different school groups and while going up, they seem to be patient with us that we were going at it a little slower.
We eventually got to a bridge (which was crowded with many onlookers) that had a spectacular view of Vernal falls. Here many would stop and turn around, while others, like us-kept tracking forwards-after a brief rest and of course picture taking.
The black top end and the trail still kept climbing in elevation and was getting more strenuous. We soon learned that we would be climbing over 600 steps just to reach the top of Vernal Falls! Oh not to mention it would be guaranteed that we would get wet-it’s a good thing that we carry rain ponchos in our backpack.
Those that were coming back down-soaking wet, said that the mist off the falls was freezing. We seen many other hikers, pulling off and putting on rain gear, so we knew we should soon do the same. The steps were soaked, slippery, and we were getting completely wet with the mist coming off the waterfall; it was amazing!!
It was nearly noon, and we finally found a dry spot and out of the way to eat lunch-and we still hadn’t reached to the top of Vernal Falls yet. With that said we knew we probably wouldn’t make it to Nevada Falls after all. We didn’t expect the hike to be so strenuous nor that busy.
Climbing yet more very steep steps, we finally made to the top of Vernal Falls!
As the saying goes: “Curiosity Killed The Cat”. Well that kind of went for us, we said we wouldn’t really make it to Nevada Falls, but we kept marching forwards. It seems many didn’t go farther-other than one of the school groups; so the trail did get quieter.
We can say we saw Nevada Falls, but we didn’t make it to the top. What we did get to see was well worth the extra length to go.
It was time to head back down, and it seems as though everybody at once had the same idea; including all the school groups. At one point we had to tell some kids nicely just to back off and not to get too pushy.
It was now time for a few days rest, and after that hike, we change our plans slightly and decided that the next hike would be the lower valley loop hike.
Once again, up bright and early, and heading back into the Valley, and once again parked in our #11 shuttle stop parking lot. Made a quick stop at the visitor center to inquiry about wi-fi service in the park and of course to buy our T-Shirts. We learned that there is actually a library (called the “girls club”) inside the park!
This time we wouldn’t get on the shuttle but instead jump on the hiking trail just behind the old church. This trail would not be strenuous, but it would be lengthy. We hiked until we came to the El Capitan intersection and turned. Stopped at a day use for a lunch on a log near the Merced River.
Crossed over the El Capitan Bridge, and realized we still had a ways to hike back towards the Yosemite Falls.
Really got some awesome views of El Capitan and Dome Rock.
This trail was much nicer because it was less used by visitors, and wasn’t crowded in the least; until we got closer to Yosemite Falls. We were both getting tired, our feet hurt and wanted to just get some pictures of the falls, and find the nearest shuttle bus, and jump on. We got close to the falls, but fighting the crowd wasn’t our thing, so we got what pictures we could, and left.
Now try to find the nearest shuttle bus…we asked several folks where the shuttle drops off at, and not a single one could speak English! Talk about feeling like a total stranger in my own country! We did find a stop, jumped on the shuttle, got to the library, downloaded pics, and then headed out.
After all that frustration-we decided at that point-okay, we seen it, done it, been there-we had enough of Yosemite NP. It’s a very beautiful park and a must see. But after a few days of LOTS of folks-it just time to let the rest enjoy.
All I can say is if you plan on visiting Yosemite NP-you best get your camping reservations WELL in ADVANCE! But with that said, I’m glad now that we got our camping reservations outside of the Park. Dimond O has been very peaceful-even though it’s quite the busy little campground.
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