Yosemite Hiking Trip May, 2003 - p2

There is something familiar with all hikes and backpacking trips I seem to go on with these particular guys. Invariably the trial is more difficult than we expect. In part it may be because some of us aren't in as good as shape as we expected with Bret the exception, and now a days, Dale too. Perhaps it's the male ego wanting to conquer more each time and refusing to admit to others we struggle as we do. Perhaps it just looks easier on paper than at high elevations and steep grade. Likely it is a combination of all of the above.

Here you see Dale and Brad making it up some of the switchbacks. Switchbacks are a great way to cover a lot of elevation fast, but they are wearisome. This hike was by no means difficult compared to what we have accomplished in the past, but it was, nonetheless, a bit more arduous than expected, primarily because of the steep grade. Though my fellow hikers were not quick to admit its difficulty, I found it interesting that the "second" hike we were to do the next day was ruled out by the time we got back to camp from this hike.

As we climbed past Lower Yosemite Falls and the Cascades, Upper Yosemite Falls became larger than I had imagined. The clouds continued to gather and we were certain at some point we would experience a light rain. I remember feeling mist at times and wondering if it was from the falls, the clouds we were entering, or if it was beginning to rain or not. When we set out, it was a beautiful morning. We were not prepared for rain.

There were times to rest and enjoy the vista's. Note the snow on the mountains across the valley here. Yosemite is beautiful at all seasons, and though a bit clouded here, it is a place which one never tires of seeing.