The trail starts at Happy Isles and at the beginning is paved. This means there are a ton of people. That's one thing about Yosemite. You can't NOT check out certain things because they are that amazing. But everyone else in the world has the same idea. The positive thing about this is that I've now seen the Valley and done some of the popular trails so next time I go out there I can stick to some of the more remote areas - which still have great sites, but less people.
Anyway, going up the paved trail is a good way to start and really weeds out people. It's steep but people still push through with strollers and canes and whatever else you can think of. But by the time they get to the first overlook (At the bottom of Vernal Falls. Where there are toilets!) many turn around and head back. Although I was not a huge fan of the steep inclines at first they're totally worth it to see the ridiculous amount of water that we did. Also, I would soon learn that steep inclines are easier than stairs (and by learn I mean remember because I have this thought on every hike that involves stairs).
And then comes the climb to Vernal Falls. They don't call this the Mist Trail for nothing. I imagine at normal times you might only get misted. And it's cool and pleasant on a nice summer's day. Normal times were not had. Again, I mention the insane amount of snow Yosemite had this year. 10 times the normal amount? Something like that. So the falls? All amazing beyond words. Before I say what I have to say about this so-called "mist" I want to be clear that I am so, so glad I experienced the Yosemite that I did. The falls this year have been called "once in a lifetime" and other such cliche phrases. And seeing pictures of the area from years past, I know it's true. There was a never ending supply of water and thus beautiful sites. My camera is happy. But...
Vernal Falls is evil!
Beautiful. But evil. (And yes, worth every minute of pain.)
The trail runs right along the flow of the falls and, once you get to the top, right next to the falls. This allows fantastic views. Though due to the "mist" you don't always want to break out the camera for fear of ruining it. It also means a lot of semi-frightening moments hugging rocks so that no one falls off the trail and to their death.
Seriously, I consider myself fairly well-educated and safe. I cannot say the same for some of the people hiking at the same time I was. Sorry to say, if you hug the rocks on the way up, you have to take the outside on the way down. No matter how scared you are of falling. If you're that scared don't hike this trail! Also, you can only hold on to one kid at a time so if you have 5, you better just pray that they don't fall in.
Anyway...
You basically have to climb op stairs that are carved into the mountain's natural rocks (mostly) all the way up to the top of Vernal Falls. And did I mention the "mist" aka torrential downpour of waterfall? Yes. So the rocks are wet. And in some places there are puddles. The water is ICE cold. I swear, at one point I was actually being pelted with icicles. Real, frozen, icicles. Water cannot be that cold or hard without it being frozen.
And yet, it was just the waterfall, pouring down off the side of the mountain like waterfalls tend to do, drenching (and POUNDING) me with it's icyness.
Lesson learned: waterfalls HURT.
I stopped in a little cave (a moment's reprieve from the icicle arrows the enemy had rained down on me) to put on my rain jacket. By the time I reached the top I was shivering and not a thing on my was dry.
And as soon as I took a minute to breath in sunshine I realized the view and the adrenaline rush made it all worthwhile.
We stopped for a picnic then. And laid out our clothes (and ourselves) to dry/warm up in the sun. Ya can't beat a picnic with these views. Or a picnic where you get to watch little lizards humping rocks.
No comments:
Post a Comment