Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is most definitely "God's Country" - the only problem is you have to be willing to drive miles of steep, winding, switchback roads with sheer cliffs along the edge to get to the awesome sites! It is definitely not for people with a fear of heights or that suffer from motion sickness! There are 4 tunnels that Roger was worried about driving the motorhome through but we checked them out in the car first and they were not a problem.

We were amazed at how many people were there - the Tioga Pass opened on Friday and we drove in on Monday - all the campgrounds were full and there were a lot a tour buses full of foreigners. We ended up "boondocking" in an area just outside the Wawona entrance. Can't imagine what it is like in the popular summer months. The nights were cold but the days were warm thanks to no wind and bright sunshine. We saw dogwoods and lupine in the valley and snow at Glacier Point!

The most popular areas to visit are the Valley, Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove, home of the giant sequoias.

In the Valley we spotted rock climbers on El Capitan - they were almost at the top and had probably spent the night on the rock face. You can only see them with binoculars. We walked back to the base of Yosemite Falls - it is the 4th highest falls in the world - and also to the base of Bridal Veil Falls - gorgeous! Then we hiked to the base of Vernal Falls. Due to the altitude and the 400 feet elevation gain the 4 mile (round trip) jaunt about "did us in!" We got back to the car and ate Advil for lunch!! One of the most strenuous hikes we've ever done and notice I said "to the base of the falls" not to the top!! Nevada Falls is just above Vernal Falls and we could see it from the trail head - didn't need a closer look!                                                                


El Capitan

Yosemite Falls

On the Vernal Falls trail



Bridal Veil Falls

We drove up to Glacier Point on Tuesday -16 winding miles that take a good hour - and about half way up it started to snow! It was so beautiful with the pine trees dusted in snow - a winter wonderland! Unfortunately, by the time we got to the Point it was covered in clouds and we could not see anything! Every once in a while the clouds would part and we would get a "sneak peak" at the scenery - enough that Roger said "I have to come back when I can see the valley." So we drove back up on Thursday and were so glad we did - it was magnificent! We could see Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls and the entire Merced River Valley with the beautiful Awahnee Hotel at the base of the mountains.

We are so blessed to have these majestic National Parks here in the US - we are making every effort to see them all!

 

Half Dome