Logbook: Two More Days in Yosemite
Waterfalls, pals, and views upon views.
Two weeks after visiting for the first time, Kirk and I found ourselves back at Yosemite. We just can’t seem to stay away! This time, we met up with our friend, Zach, to team up for some Yosemite adventures and brighter weather.
Weather Watch
At this point, I think it’s safe to say we’ve seen Yosemite in all her unpredictable spring glory. This weekend called for sun, then rain, then sun, then wind, and then some. But Kirk and I still got to redeem all the views covered in fog the last time. And we got venture to higher peaks!
What We Did
We started our days in Oakhurst with delicious breakfast and pastries at Bee’s Bakery Cafe before hitting the road. Once again, we drove Wawona all the way up to Tunnel View and into the valley.
Saturday
Blue Skies at Tunnel View
We finally got our Tunnel View moment! And what a moment it was. The view was impressive even in the fog, with just the faintest line of El Capitan showing through. It didn’t matter how many photos I had looked at of the valley before. Standing there, the vastness of it all was shocking. Massive walls of the most incredible rock formations all sweeping down into dense forest layers.
It’s always strange to stand at a historical monument or natural wonder in a crowd of people. Dodging selfie-sticks and exchanging phones with strangers and snapping photos. I love the shared experience. And then, I zoom out of it so much.
That’s the most surreal part. To realize where you are, what point in history it is, and how small this moment is. And there’s Ahwahnee— in all her ancient majesty.
Glacier Point
We had a Saturday mission ahead of us: Glacier Point.
This hike took our breath away. Really. It didn’t take long to realize we’d misjudged the temperature. A couple miles in we were stripping down our layers. This trail is super steep, and takes hikers through switchbacks looking out over the valley. Every corner we turned was a pause and wow! moment. It was essentially the same view of the Valley, but every time more zoomed out.
Apparently, the actual Glacier Point was closed off because of packed snow. We passed a lot of hikers who had turned around. Determined to at least try, we went further until we were fully trekking through deep leftover snow (and we were cold again, so on went those layers). It quickly became clear why it was blocked off— the trail was completely covered in slanted icy-snow on a massive drop off. One misstep could be brutal.
Zach and I stayed back to find some sun while Kirk continued onwards with a few other brave hikers. Strangely enough we had cell service up there, so we FaceTimed when he disappeared behind the bend to see the view. It overlooks Half Dome and all of Curry Village below! But I definitely don’t recommend doing that final section in those snowy conditions alone, or without any gear. Save this one for summer and fall to see it in its fullness!
Sunday
The Yosemite Museum & Ansel Adams Gallery
I finally understand why people keep coming back to Yosemite. I could be here for a month and spend each week focusing on different aspects of the park. Kirk and I didn’t even realize there was a museum by the Welcome Center last time. And we can really soak up a museum! We checked out the Climbing and the Native American sides of the museum. I’d love to come back and spend much more time reading everything.
Afterwards, we went briefly into the Ansel Adams gallery. We didn’t spend nearly enough time here, but got to flip through some coffee table books.
That’s the beauty of this park. There are so many things to do, that no matter what the weather is doing, you can be occupied and having a great time.
Vernal Falls to Nevada Falls
We trekked back to Vernal Falls to find a vibrant rainbow in place of the snowman we left last time! The trail was cleared all the way up to Nevada Falls. That amazed me considering the last time we could barely make it through the snow to Vernal. So up, up, up we went.
It’s another pretty vertical hike! You have to conquer a staircase of stone to get above Vernal. I was winded so early on, so I took up a slow pace in the back. But the entire trail just gets more and more spectacular. On the other side, massive rock slabs take you higher, and then a much more rugged trail takes you up to the sky.
Before you know it, you can hear the thunderous echos of Nevada Falls. And then it appears through the trees. If you can muster the strength up yet another vertical stone staircase, you can actually get right up to the crest of the fall. The perfect place to rest! And to marvel.
Talk about surreal! I highly recommend sitting at the very edge of this ginormous waterfall, and relishing in the mist. Take your time walking around the layers of rock slabs at the top— it’s like walking on the moon (I would imagine)!
In between
We revisited some quick favorites like Lower Yosemite Falls and Bridal Veil. We also took a very quick peak at Swinging Bridge (without actually realizing it was Swinging Bridge until after).
Also, I’d like to give a special shoutout to the cafeteria at Curry Village. Every eatery there is doing something right. And literally nothing hits the spot like that pizza and beer after a long day working out on these trails.
Going back a second time was so rewarding— and surprising! Once again, my expectations were blown out of the water. I hope to keep coming back to this special place throughout my life. For now, we’re continuing on the road north. We’ve got new cities, forests, and a long stretch of coastline to cover in the next few weeks!