It feels strange to be leaving the Redwoods because it is time to go home. One month is long enough to get use to the routine. I again, as we drive, feel as if I am not ready. This has been full 100% family time, and I love my family.
We are back in a drier and warmer climate (but not as warm as Death Valley and Joshua Tree). Pinnacles National Park did not become a National Park until 2013. It’s named for this unique mountain formation called (you guessed it) pinnacles. Here, we hike a total of 6 plus miles over two different trails.
Today, is our last morning in Yosemite. With it being Sunday, we attend church in the Yosemite Chapel. The service definitely does not cater to a tourist crowd with its 1 1/2 hour length. There is a small crowd, but it is good to be in church and fellowship with others. The preacher plays guitar providing music for the classic hymns.
The big hike has arrived. The Mist trail is the signature trail of Yosemite National Park. If you were to hike all the way to the top of Half Dome (Amber will not allow us), this trail is your route there. It’s called the Mist trail because you hike next to two roaring waterfalls that will get you wet. Many people wear ponchos. The round trip hike, using the John Muir trail back, is a 6 mile streneous hike with a 2000 feet elevation change. Amber’s back is feeling ok. She still plans to go the first 0.8 miles to the base of Vernal falls. Again, like rafting, it’s an adventure just to get there.
We have our first physical setback. Today, our plan was to do the intense hike up Mist Trail. Yesterday, Amber’s back went out, and sleeping on these hotel beds is not helping her to recover. In fact, these beds may have caused her back pain. Thus, we delay the hike to travel to Tenaya Lake considered by many the prettiest lake in Yosemite NP. Hopefully this extra day, without much physical demand will aid in Amber’s recovery.
This morning begins with a drive as we go to Glacier point, a magnificent overlook of the valley. Again, stunning with beautiful views of Half Dome and both Vernal and Nevada Falls. Our first trail of the day is a relatively short (2.2 miles), easy hike to Taft Point. At Glacier point, you have necessary and important guard rails to keep you from falling to your death. At Taft Point no such guard rails, you can walk right up to the edge.
Our first day in Yosemite National Park. Yesterday’s drive was not bad except the traffic caused us to change routes. Maybe this should have been the first indication of the crowd in Yosemite. First off, Yosemite is stunning. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Driving through the valley, you see stunning mountains, huge waterfalls, unique rock formations, beautiful meadows with wildflowers, and crystal clear river running through it all. Very few places, if any, in the continental United States can match the beautiful of this valley.