Yosmite Hiking trip, May 2003

In May of 2003, I went on a three-day camping trip in Yosemite National Park, California with three of my hiking buddies, Brad, Dale, and Bret. We've been through a lot together, but this was the first time the four of us had just gone camping, and not backpacking.

When we go backpacking, we take everything we need for the 3-5 day journey on our backs. Whatever we pack in we pack out. What we need we must carry. But this was just a camping and hiking trip, so we had the luxury of larger tents, camp stoves, and all sorts of niceties. On our hikes we pack light, only carrying water, lunch, trail snacks, and extra warm clothing just in case.

I usually visit Yosemite Park at least once a year, and have hiked nearly, if not more than, 100 miles through this country. This time I had a chance to hike up to one of the parks most noted features: Yosemite Falls.

Yosemite Falls is North America's highest waterfall, and the 5th highest in the world. The falls make three distinct plunges before reaching the valley floor. Upper Falls, a 1,430 foot plummet, Intermediate Cascades which fall 675 feet, and finally Lower Yosemite Falls which drop an additional 320 feet. In this picture (taken 2 days after our hike), Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls are clearly visible.

The hike is 7.2 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 2,700 feet. Needless to say, a 2,700 foot climb in 3.1 miles is rather steep, as is the descent back down. My three friends and I started at the valley floor where the elevation is 4,000 feet. It was fairly warm at first, though the surrounding mountain ranges had snow on them. The forecast was 30% chance of rain. As we climbed the clouds kept coming in and we wondered if the weather would hold out. To the right is a picture of Half Dome (center of photo) being enveloped in the gathering clouds.

Much of the trail was cut out of granite rock. At several places along the trail the falls became visible. Each time was a different breathtaking view, which pictures fail to fully capture. The sound of the falls grew louder as we drew near, and the mist from the falls rested along our path making the trail rather slippery.