America home logs 2020... Yosemite Park.

After a relaxing two days at Napa Valley, with plenty of wine tasting, we were ready to set forth for our new adventure...Yosemite Valley. 

We aimed to have an early start. The route was straight to CA 120. The journey time was 4 hours, and with rest, we knew it would take us almost 5 hours to reach Yosemite. We wished to reach our destination before the sunset.

The slow, gentle slopes of Napa Valley gave way to the mountains and forests of Stanislaus. The road journey through the woods was winding and spectacular. Many sharp bends had to be navigated with caution. Driving between the towering pine and fir trees was beautiful beyond belief. Stopping by at various viewpoints, we made our way to the Air BNB for the night. 

Yosemite is a national park operated by the U.S. National Park Service. It was established as a park in 1890. The park is situated in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California and is famed for its incredible cliffs, deep valleys, waterfalls, rivers, and ancient sequoia groves. One can experience the Tallest Redwoods, Largest Sequoias in this park. We had two nights at Yosemite. On the first day, we decided to explore the park. Waking up early, we set out to watch the sunrise from Valley View Pullout.

Braving the winter chill.

Valley View Pullout is situated to the left of the one-way Northside Drive on your way out of Yosemite Valley, just before the last bridge, Pohono. There is a little carpark a few steps from the road. We stood by the Merced River, waiting for the Sun to shine on the rocks. The river was not in its full flow. 

One can get the see the Half Dome and El Capitan on either side of the Merced River. For a dramatic image, we tried to capture the reflection of the sunrise on the river surface. 

The valley was deep down and covered by tall forest trees. It was hard to see the sunrise in most of the valley. From the floor of the valley, we got to see the reflection of golden sunlight on the top of El Capitan and Half dome. 

First view of the sunrays 

Reflection of the mountains on the clear water

After a relaxed breakfast at the local Degnan’s kitchen, we started our trek towards Yosemite Falls. Local shuttles were not in operation due to Covid restrictions. We walked along the bicycle path from the visitors center to the trailhead. The lower Yosemite falls were an easy trek. The falls were a mere trickle; the rocks which otherwise would have been covered by the gushing water were exposed, which prompted us to try our rock-climbing skills. Our attempt to climb to the base of the falls was met with resistance from the rocks' slippery slope. Sanchitram, the more adventurous, climbed to the top from where he got impressive views of the valley.  

Should we or should we not climb those rocks... 

Halfway through the climb...

The view is better from up here.. tempts Arvind.

A mind note.. to return during the spring season

The valley from up there... 

After the arduous rock climbing, we walked across to the valley for a stroll via the Sentinel bridge to the Cook's meadow. The scenery level is spectacular through this walk. One gets a 360degree view of the falls and rocks through the trail. 

Views from Cook's meadow

Together.. we walk the path.

Sentinel Bridge and Beyond.. 

Mirror Lake hike was our next interest. We had no option other than the long walk to Mirror Lake as the shuttle services were not in operation. Parking our car at the upper pine campground, we set off on the path less traveled amongst the mirror lake's wilderness. 

The landscape of the forest was mind-blowing. It was slippery in patches at the beginning of the trail, but nothing too tricky. The fall colored leaf on the muddy ground gave an effect of a carpet. We could hear the sound of the gurgling stream when we were close to the water body. There were many boulders and roots to cross along this trail. The trails were not flat, and it took us an hour to reach the mirror lake.  This trail allows you to get very close to the base of Half Dome, whose reflection you see in Mirror Lake during springtime. The lake was dry when we reached it, which was a tad bit disappointing. 

Carpet of fall leaves

Fallen trees to cross over.

End of our hike..

Returning to the carpark, we realized we had enough time to catch the sunset at the tunnel view. The spot was great for the cliché sunset picture. It is the most iconic Yosemite spot where you can see a crowd at any time of the day. Sunset hours are more crowded. Relishing each moment of the sunset, we retired for the night.

     

  

The word that kept coming to mind as we explored Yosemite was “Larger than life.” The mountains, the granite rocks, the trees, and the waterfalls are all so rugged, grand, and wild.