YOSEMITE - ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - 2

ON TO YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

 
We decided to go into the Park for a short hike before we had breakfast.

We headed for Wawona where we went to the Trailhead for the Chilnualna Falls. We had backpacked this trail a number of years ago with both girls. Today we started under cloudy skies with only a fanny pack, water, and a light snack. The trail ascends quite quickly. We made it up the trail about a half of mile where we could see what would have been fairly tall falls, but there was  only a trickle falling through a single crack in the rocks.

CHILNUALNA FALLS

As the trail continued up we decided to retrace our steps as we had gotten a call from the girls that they had just entered the park and were passing the Wawona Hotel. We were able to catch them and they turned toward the small village of Wawona, and they met us at the trailhead.

We had not yet had breakfast sowe got a couple cups of coffee at the Village Store and then headed for a picnic table beside the South Fork of the Merced River. We had a great breakfast, and Klara and Tina roamed over the rocks to the River edge. 

ALONG THE SOUTH FORK OF THE MERCED RIVER

The water was so low, that Klara could easily rock scramble across the river to explore the vegetation. Finally it was time to welcome Justin to the park with the view at Wawona Tunnel. We, and about 50 others enjoyed the view of the Valley. 

TINA AND KLARA

THE HAPPY COUPLE

At Bridalveil Falls there was a very thin veil of water falling, enough to moisten the rockface, but hardly anything reached the base of the Falls. 

BRIDALVEIL FALLS, OCTOBER 2015

BRIDALVEIL FALLS, MARCH 2010

We had lunch along the Merced across from El Capitan where we could see rock climbers scaling the monolith. 

EL CAPITAN THROUGH THE TREES

YOSEMITE GRANITE

We continued to drive the complete Valley Loop around to the Yosemite Lodge with another short hike around the meadow below El Capitan and the Royal Arches. 

HALF DOME

After checking into the Lodge, we relaxed a bit before heading to the Lodge Food Court for dinner. We do not recommend this experience if one has the time for another choice.