Yosemite National Park has experienced a slow start to spring. We arrived in a snow storm and found 4-6 ft drifts in the higher elevations. We were thankful that the Yosemite Valley was green and sunny and the campground had only a few old snow piles like a distant memory of the hard winter.
The sign in the snow!
Wow- thought we had left that behind!
The snow melt had swollen the Merced River and Yosemite's famous waterfalls were beyond belief. Our first hike took us up 1.5 miles to the past Columbia Rock on the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. The view of the falls was breathtaking. After our descent we accomplished the more modest Lower Falls trail to the base of the Lower Yosemite Falls.
The Upper Yosemite Falls.
Lower Yosemite Falls.
Our second day we hiked up to the Vernal Falls. The trail afforded us spectacular views of the Nevada Falls across the ravine as well. At the base of the trail we continued along the Merced River on to the Mirror Lake. The lake is no longer dredged or dammed so has shrunk in size, but still reflected Half Dome in its majesty.
Mirror Lake reflecting the cliffs.
Vernal Falls.
"OH, we're not on the trail??"
The Bridal Veil Fall accents the valley.
Half Dome.
Our last day we visited the Mariposa Grove of Sequoia trees. The trails had just opened for the spring and we found snowpack around the majestic trees.
The famous drive thru tree.
The clothespin tree.
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