We are there few times every year, and everytime it amazes me. This year the snow pack was much higher and the waterfalls are spectacular. It was still snowing on Memorial day weekend! If you are planning on going, this is the best time. This was the first tent camping trip for the kids and luckily everything went well. No one said "I want to go home" when it was time to sleep in the tent. :-)
Day 1: We left home at 10:00AM, and reached the campground around 2:30PM. Pitched the tent and left for the valley. Even though this was not a long weekend, traffic was biggest pain. On the plus side, the kids had their dinner in their car seats, I didn't have to yell or chase them. Yes, when it comes to eating we are that kind of a family.
Bikers next to the south fork of Merced River, note the waterfall in the background |
We did the usual route... stopped at Bridalveil falls, got drenched.
Bridalveil Falls |
Bridalveil Falls up close - at this point we are soaked through |
Bridge near Bridalveil falls - this stream was roaring |
Then the Yosemite falls.
Yosemite Falls from the meadows |
Top of Yosemite Falls |
Finally Vernal Falls. Before we had kids, we would hike to the top of Vernal falls every year, though we never made it to Nevada falls. Then the last 5 years we didn't see Vernal falls(except from Glacier Point) because the kids were little. This time we decided to try the Vernal Falls footbridge. This is a 1.6 miles round trip which is about halfway from the top of Vernal with a great view of the falls. With two boys 2.5 and 4.5 years old and an umbrella stroller, we set off from Happy Isles. The way up was no picnic, but wasn't too bad either. We were prepared to turn back if it got too hard or risky. And my younger one didn't even want to ride the stroller most of the time. Half the people on the way up were had smiles for us and "you are doing great"s ... The other half gave me the look like "what are you thinking - doing this with little kids!". It felt so good to reach the footbridge and see the Vernal Falls properly. Aaaahhh victory!
Perched on a tree, enjoying the falls |
Millepede? On the Mist Trail |
Came back down, kids had dinner while stuck in the traffic in the valley. DH insisted on cooking back at the campground. Quick dinner and then the cozy tent. We were all off to sleep in no time. Unlike last year when younger DS refused to sleep in the cabin at Curry Village. What a day!
Merced River in the evening |
Next post: Tuolumne and Tioga pass
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