If you’ve got to visit Yosemite in the summer and want to avoid the frightening zombie hordes of people, get up early. Most people were still eating each other, er, fixing their pancakes, eggs, and bacon at the crowded valley campsites by the time we headed up the Mist Trail. Although it was initially difficult to find the desired parking lot, we enjoyed that visitors have to take a free shuttle to get to the Yosemite Valley trailheads (excellent use of our federal tax dollars and park fees, as far as we’re concerned).
The morning light was quite beautiful as we ascended the trail along the Merced River up to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. Photo by Sarah.
Pausing for a break at the bridge. Smoke from the distant fires is visible in the background. It had settled in the valley for the morning, but blew out as the day progressed. Photo by Sarah.
Vernal Falls. Although the trail to the top of Vernal Falls is only 1.5 miles, there’s an elevation gain of 1000 vertical feet. By July, the waterfalls in Yosemite are either low or dry. Vernal is running low in this picture. Others such as Yosemite Falls were dry and the water in Bridalveil Falls was completely evaporating in the air. Photo by Blake.
The last bit that ascends to the right of this image is quite a grind up 600 steps cut into the rock. Photos by Blake.
Sam wanted to find his own route. Photo by Blake.
Base of Vernal Falls. Photo by Blake.
This is a view of the trail from the top of the falls. In the short time we were at the top, the numbers of people coming up the trail increased dramatically. We so enjoyed the quiet morning hike that we decided to head down before the area became unpleasantly crowded. We stopped for another rest at Emerald Pool at the top of Vernal Falls before heading back. Photo by Blake.
We rode the shuttle back into Yosemite Village and checked out the museum, the Ansel Adams gallery (which disappointingly had only a couple vintage photographs to view), and picked-up some provisions at the village store. Here are Kenny and Sam communing with John Muir. Photo by Blake.
Sarah back at the campsite. Photo by Blake.
Kenny and Sam’s excellent fire. When the zombie hordes attack and we flee to the wilderness, at least the kids will know how to make a fire and cook. Photo by Blake.
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