We stayed in Mariposa, and joined a fairly large queue to get into the Valley on Saturday morning. Yosemite did resemble an outdoor-themed parking lot, but there's a rule that the higher up you go the fewer people you see so we set off on the Mist Trail. It's one we've done before but last time it was hard to tell what was mist and what was simply torrential rain.
This time there were no such problems, as each soaking was swiftly followed by blissful, drying sunshine. Claire was a star, preferring to walk than be carried until fatigue (and parental insistence) finally won. They turned back just before the moistest bit and Jack, Amanda, Hannah and I made it to the top of Nevada falls only to find that (yet again!) the John Muir trail back to the valley was shut. There was no choice but to head back through the mist, where the odd blast of cold air and freezing water to face brought back happy memories of North Wales. Luckily we made it down while the sun was high enough above the valley's granite walls to offer some evapouration.
I took lots of photos. How did Ansel Adams get so famous when you can just point in whichever direction you want and start clicking? And he didn't have cute children in front of his mountains either.
Claire and I got bored of waiting to get into the park, so took matters into our own hands.
In, parked, and ready for the off.
Someone was not impressed at having her photo taken all the time.
Off we go!
Still looking for the other half of that dome.
The Muckers in Yosemite. We hadn't actually gone anywhere yet, but why pass up a photo opportunity?
Claire suggests a challenging route.
Ahhh.
Amanda, as impressed as ever by Jack's manliness.
Group shot, a little higher up, with two tired children. That's Vernal Falls in the background.
Rapids.
On the way again.
They say mist, they deliver mist.
Drying quietly after wet bit #1.
Getting closer to our destination.
Look at that! I even got to the end, at one point, but the leprechaun and pot of gold had been washed away.
Hannah dries patchily at the top of the falls.
Yosemite Beach.
Looking back down.
Onwards and upwards to Nevada Falls! This was meant to be a really tasteful, arty nude photo, but they refused.
Yep, quite a bit of the stuff coming down that one too.
In case you missed it.
Right at the top.
Disappearing over the edge.
We even hiked above the snow line!
Still gorgeous.
On our way to find the John Muir trail. Perhaps the waterfalls in the path should have given us a clue that it may be shut.
No matter, back down the way we came.
As wild as it got.
Final damp stretch.
The sun sets over the valley as we get back to where we started.
Wow! I've always wanted a bear, and all I needed was one of these!
Apple blossom in the valley.
Waiting for us in the boot of Jack's car. It's important to rehydrate after a long hike...
