Spring Break - Day Three: Yosemite Valley

Day Three: April 14, 2018 (Saturday)

We woke up early, packed a picnic lunch, and drove back into Yosemite to do some hiking and sightseeing. We stopped first at Bridalveil Falls, which is a short walk from the car and you can walk very close to the bottom of its 620’ drop. So close in fact, that we got sprayed with misty wind. We continued into the valley, stopping at a few meadows that gave way to views of the granite features for which the park is famous.

 

Apparently there needs to be a sign to clear up any misconceptions.

Map of Yosemite Valley.

We tackled our most strenuous hike, the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls, first thing. We gained 1000’ in elevation in 1.5 miles – quite a trek for all of us, but Reed especially. The last half mile, alongside the Merced River and the outflow of the falls, is called the granite staircase. There are 660 steps carved into the granite and that whole time the outflow mist is blowing onto the trail and making rainbows when the sun caught it just right. Vernal Falls is a 317’ drop and at this point of peak spring melt, was absolutely cranking. We spent some time at the top relaxing in the sun and watching the water pour right over the lip of the falls. We saw Nevada Falls in the distance by another couple miles and though it looked delightful, realized we couldn’t make it this year with the young kids. We headed back to the car for a picnic lunch, watching climbers on 8122’ Sentinel Dome and listening to the sounds of the forest.

 

After lunch we boarded the park’s shuttle bus and went into Yosemite Village to check out the visitor center. From there we walked over to Cook’s Meadow for more amazing valley views and then hiked the Lower Yosemite Falls loop trail. From the trail there were excellent views of the Upper and Lower falls. Together, they form a 2425’ drop and were quite impressive this time of year with the high water flow. Exhausted from a day of hiking and sightseeing, we headed back to the hotel, ate a nice dinner, relaxed in the pool and hot tub, and went to bed early.