I played hooky again over the weekend and went to Yosemite with Randy. We left super early on Saturday and got back this afternoon. It was a whirlwind tour of hiking, laughter and lots of muscle soreness. We checked into the hotel in Mariposa around 10:30AM and then drove to Yosemite.
We parked at the Visitors Center around noon and walked around the little village before hopping on the shuttle bus with our trusty map and some recommendations. The guide in the center suggested we take the The Mist Trail. After a pit stop, we hit the trail around 1PM.
Here's the description from the website (edited):
Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip to Vernal Fall, 7 miles (11 km) round trip to Nevada Fall.
Elevation at trailhead: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet (300 meters) to top of Vernal Fall; 1,900 feet (580 meters) to top of Nevada Fall
Why Hike the Mist Trail?
This is Yosemite's signature hike. While many of Yosemite's trails are popular due to having a single spectacular destination, the Mist Trail has fabulous views scattered all along it, beginning at the bridge overlook, progressing to two unforgettable waterfalls that fall a combined total of more than 900 feet (270 meters), and ending with perhaps the most striking of all: the view of Nevada Fall, Liberty Cap, and the back of Half Dome from the Muir Trail return segment.
Hiking Time: 2 - 5 hours, depending on how far you go
Scenery Factor: Sublime. You can get covered-with-spray close to two of Yosemite's rock-star waterfalls, and the view looking back from the Muir Trail is just as remarkable as the trail up the falls.
Crowd Factor: Heavy to the top of Vernal Fall, especially when the water is high. The crowds thin out considerably if you continue to the top of Nevada Fall, although several trails intersect at the top of this fall, so you won't be alone there.
Difficulty: Medium, but bordering strenuous if you go all the way to the top of Nevada Fall. The stretches beside Vernal and Nevada Falls are both quite steep - in fact, the last few hundred meters up the Vernal Falls trail are stairs cut into the cliffside. If you need a gentler workout, you can just proceed as far as the bridge looking upstream to Vernal Fall without exerting yourself quite so much.
The guide actually suggested The Mist Trail AND THEN an easier hike afterwards. We planned to do this and then come back to the park the following day for a 6-8 hour strenuous hike.
Yeah, that did not happen...
We were such shutter bugs that we went fairly slow up to Vernal Fall. Then I was just plain slow. We kept an eye on the time since we knew that sun set was at 5:48PM. Never in a millions years would we have thought the hike would have taken us OVER 5 HOURS! We stopped a few times, but the stretch between Vernal and Nevada Falls was a killer. I was sweaty and hot, but when I eased the pace, I got super cold. I think I said "Damn!" about 5 times as I huffed and puffed up the steep rock. In fact, I don't have any photos once it got more difficult. We reached the top of Nevada Fall around 4:30PM and while I wanted to hang up there, we had time for an apple and some chocolate before we bundled up for our haul back.
There were two times that we got turned around, but the second is what cost us. We accidentally took the longer Winter Route back down once we crossed the bridge close to Vernal Fall. This lead us over a huge icy patch and up into the mountain. I told Randy that it didn't look familiar, but we kept going. Once we realized where we were, we decided to try the new path. As the sun was starting to set, we realized there was a good chance that we would lose the light. It would be safer for us to take a route we knew rather than following something unknown. So, we picked up the pace and headed back down the mountain. I slipped twice, but luckily my bruises were minimal. I was starting to get super nervous and didn't want to move too fast for fear of tripping and falling or hurting my ankle.
We got back on the known path around 5:45PM and then the truckin' started. Luckily, we had enough light to make it down the more treacherous stair sections around Vernal Fall, but once we crossed the first bridge overlook it was pretty much dark. We could see the light of the moon a bit and then we had to use the Flashlight app on Randy's iphone.
There were a few times were we saw something in our path - not knowing if it was a rock, a stump or a sleeping cub. With walking sticks in hand, we kept moving. Luckily by the time the sun completely set we were on the paved part of the trail. Adrenaline was flowing and we were moving at a crisp pace. We thought the last shuttle was at 7PM and we certainly didn't want t miss it. We wound up getting to the stop at 6:30PM and were elated that we got there in one piece and full of a sense of accomplishment. My sweaty shirt was getting colder by the minute and with shaky legs, we eventually boarded the bus back to the parking area. Again Randy's flashlight came in handy for it was pitch black leading from the road into the parking lot. However, that opened our eyes to the most amazing sky.
Truly.
I don't remember the last time I was able to see that many stars. The constellations were so clear, so vibrant.
We ate lots at a diner in Mariposa and I had a celebratory beer.
Lots to be grateful for:
1. time for a road trip
2. living in a beautiful country - and a beautiful part of the country
3. my car
4. a great travel buddy
5. chocolate
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