Yosemite: Day of Hiking

The next day was a busy day of hiking. I think we managed to see most of the famous areas of the park in one day! First we went to Mirror Lake (2.5 miles). The lake was dry, reflecting nothing! But it was a nice hike and a good warm up for our next trip - up the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and then on to Nevada Falls (7 miles round trip).

Early morning hike

In the Mirror Lake...

....where is the water?!

We wondered why there was no one else on the trail...

Rosie had a bit of a sugar crash on the first part of this hike - it is extremely steep in the beginning, very hot and high altitude as well! She had to sit down because she was going dizzy. I gave her some water and a cookie and let her sit in the shade of my shadow! She was OK to continue after 10 minutes or so.

Cookie break!

No bears unfortunately....or fortunately

Vernal Falls

Rainbow!

Top of Vernal Falls

We had what remained of our picnic lunch at the top of Nevada Falls, we'd eaten most of it on the way - we get hungry! Then we hiked back down the John Muir Trail. Our feet were aching by the time we got back to the valley floor. We had to change into flip flops when we got back. We also had a snack from the bear locker and a rest at the campsite for half an hour. 

Taking a break

Nevada Falls

Ros starts to think that she won't make it....

...but she did!

Half Dome

Top of Nevada Falls

Afterwards we took the free valley shuttle bus to Yosemite Village and then to Yosemite Falls for a quick 1 mile walk to the Falls. Also dry! A pity because it's the highest waterfall in the USA and the fifth highest in the world, it must be spectacular when it's running.

Yosemite Falls (Dry!)

The deer come out in the evening

There are no showers at the campsites in Yosemite so we took the bus to Curry Village where we had showers for $5 each! We were very shocked - they already charge $20 park entry and $20 per night camping fee. What about people like me who like to have at least 2 showers per day, that's an expensive shower habit!

We felt a little bit better about being charged because we had already had free showers early that morning when no one was around and we didn't realise that you were supposed to pay. Haha Yosemite -we win!

To finish our day we went to Curry Village for well deserved pizza and soda after all our hiking!