Yosemite -- Vernal and Nevada Falls

Vernal and Nevada Falls from Glacier Point
The golden sun sets on Half Dome from Glacier Point.

For years I have dreamed of climbing Half Dome. It is one of those iconic hikes/climbs that I want to complete before my time on this earth is over. The route up the back side is always open from the end of May to October and that is why Marc and I planned this trip for the first weekend in June. However, this year there is still too much snow on the trail so the National Park will not open it for a few more weeks. While that was disappointing news, there are marvelous alternative hikes in the park.

Friday we took the part of the Half Dome hike that was open. It is one of Yosemite's signature hikes -- especially when there is a lot of water flowing over the falls as one finds this year because of all the snow. It goes by two spectacular falls -- Vernal and Nevada. The round trip we took was about 2,500 feet of ascent and a total of ten miles. Every step was beautiful.

Marc on the Mist Trail below Vernal Falls. With all the water flowing this was more than a "mist" trail. By the time we got to the top of the falls we were drenched as if we had been caught in a big rainstorm.

Above Vernal Falls, Note the trail on the left side near the middle of this photo.
Below Nevada Falls.
Marc inspects the raging river from the bridge above Nevada Falls. These falls empty into the Merced River that cuts through Yosemite Valley.Marc above Nevada Falls.
Along the John Muir Trail with Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls in the background.

We drove back up to Glacier Point to watch the sunset that evening. Half Dome dominates the valley as the yellow sun lights its face.

It was a day to remember.