To celebrate stopping work for a while Jules and I headed straight to Yosemite. For a Monday to Friday trip!
We were immediately treated to a stunning sunset.We grabbed some wine and enjoyed the sunset with a view of both Half Dome and Yosemite Falls.
Biking the valley
Like most trips, the first thing that we did was rent bikes from Curry Village (where we were staying). We adore biking around the valley together.
Add caption here...As usual, our first stop was a walk to mirror lake.We loved the views all around the valley, and stopped for an early lunch near the Yosemite Falls.
Glacier point sunset
Next up was another of our favorites, a sunset at Glacier Point.
I'd had a strong feeling that we would finally see a bear at Yosemite, and so it was. On the way there we saw stopped cars and they let us know there were two bears.And then a little further up the road I spotted another two! These didn't notice us so we could watch them chow down for a while.Eventually someone else turned up and with a loud gasp, she alerted the bears to our presence. So Jules and I left.We headed on to Glacier Point. This time we stopped at the first parking lot, anticipating a very busy main area.We were very happy with our spot, and had a fab sunset picnic.Two days later I would be heading up there!Via these two waterfalls. Jules would join to up over the second fall and along the valley before turning around.
Upper Yosemite Falls
The next morning, after fetching coffees, I headed off to climb Upper Yosemite Falls.It's a steep climb and I was huffing and puffing. But the views were stunning most of the way up.You end up right at the falls with a superb view of things. You can lean over, which was quite dizzying!
Riverside chills
Most days we spent our afternoons chilling alongside the river somewhere. We'd generally bring along our chairs, some snacks, and some beers. We loved it.
El Capitan sunset
On our third evening we headed off to El Capiton Meadow to watch the sunset. We grabbed burritos and some wine and had a great picnic.
We found a spot near the viewing area that was a little away from the others. But close enough to hear a trumpet player who kept us very entertained all evening.Before long we spotted a few of the climbers, still doing work on the face of El Capitan.As the sun went down we could see more and more of their lights, eventually seeing 8 different groups.In an amazing stroke of luck we also saw a Starlink satellite launch just over El Cap. A truly remarkable sight!
Mist Trail and Half Dome
And then it was on to our favorite hike in Yosemite. I had a Half Dome permit (I tried every day to get one) and Jules would join me for the first half.
We started with Vernal Falls. We're used to seeing a much less vigorous version of this and we were delighted by the spray that gives the trail it's name. Jules was very prepared!At the top of the falls we loved the rainbow and view.Fantastic to see the river flowing like this!
From Vernal Falls it is right on up to Nevada Falls.
Before we even reached the falls we were treated to stunning rainbow views from the forest.Jules climbing past Nevada Falls.
Jules hiked on with me all the way to Little Yosemite Valley where there is a backpacking site that we want to use one day.
After refilling my water I set off for Half Dome while Jules took a relaxed walk down the JMT.This was my second time up Half Dome. It's a stunning hike, especially once you get to this point and see the sub-dome.This gives some idea of how steep things are already on the sub-dome.To me, what makes this hike truly outstanding is this. The chains. It's so hard to show just how steep and intense this section is. Before I could get worried, on went my gloves and up I went.I was much more relaxed this time and flew up the chains. I was able to really use my arms a ton to get up the steep slope. And even grabbed a precarious selfie!The views on top are, of course, stunning. But in this case it really is about the journey!
Final sunset
And so we found ourselves at our final sunset after a fantastic trip. We did our usual, grabbed wine and snacks and then found a stunning spot to relax.
What a spot for a date!My all time favorite trip to Yosemite, after so many fabulous trips already.
