Yosemite: Why would you welcome bad weather?

The biggest issue with one of America's most popular National Parks is the crowds and reservation only campground. You have to book five months in advance and when released campsites sell out in minutes. Having missed that boat it was plan B, turn up early to the campground reservation office and hope for a cancellation. The first attempt started just south of Yosemite, up at 6am (definitely this is not typical!) and we drove 1 hour to Wawona in time for the 7.30am opening of the office. Yes

Grizzly Giant

there was one night only available the Ranger apologised, we were very thankful. It was then a couple of hours of school work before going to Mariposa Grove on the shuttle bus to visit more Giant Sequoia's. We did a small walk as legs were still recovering from Kings Canyon but managed to take in some more giant Sequoia's including the Bachelor and Three Graves and the Grizzly Giant. Grizzly Giant is more than 1800 years old and stands only 209ft but has a base of 96ft circumference and 29ft diameter. In the photo the branch on the right that bends up has a diameter of 6ft!
 That afternoon we relaxed at another stunning campsite next to a river. However we were in the trees and there was none of the stunning granite dominated scenery that makes Yosemite famous. Our aim the next day was wake and be at the valley reservation office very early. There was rain forecast that night and the next two days, in our thinking improving the odds of fair weather campers cancelling. That night was wet with a large thunderstorm coming over us during the night!

Tunnel View, fresh snow on the hills

Setting off before 6am the next morning we drove the one hour to the valley. The roads were quiet and wet, from Wawona it climbed steadily to over 6500ft. We noticed what we thought was hail on the ground that gradually become more dense, yes that would be fresh snow! It did feel cold the evening before. The road enters the valley through a tunnel. We stopped for a quick view and photo of the cloud choked Yosemite Valley, it was bitterly cold. Then it was straight to the reservation office where we arrived first in line, just. Could we have three nights? We were in luck, no problem :). Not staying in the valley would have involved an hour drive to get to the nearest accommodation. Celebrating we caught the shuttle bus to the Yosemite Lodge for unfortunately an ordinary breakfast before walking to explore the village via the lower Yosemite falls. That afternoon Fiona and Symi attended a monotone bear talk while Rob explored the valley's 12 mile bike network. That night we went to a Search and Rescue talk at the village. We learnt of some careless ways to die at Yosemite, saw some great rescues of climbers via helicopter and came away with a new respect of white water, drowning being the most common way to die here. Basically falling into the white water is equivalent to falling off a cliff! Because we are here in spring the rivers are moving awesome amounts of water from the snow melt.

Yep it's busy, the 'death' stairs

The next day the weather improved but the cloud was still obscuring the higher granite and the famous Half Dome remained hidden. We set off on the parks most popular walks, the mist trail. It was a slow walk up to Vernal Falls and after the SAR talk the previous night we had a new respect

Vernal Falls

for some of the trail dangers. There is one point (see photo) were three people have died, they get bumped off the trail, from there is a very steep slope to the white water river. Knowing this makes some people's actions seem very casual! After Vernal Falls the crowd thinned by 95% and it was upward to the top of Nevada Fall completing a 1900ft climb (and 8.5miles round trip), the biggest climb yet this year. We descended the quieter John Muir trail. Of course the trail is popular for a reason. The waterfalls and views were stunning. Rob and Symi finished the day with a bike ride around the valley hoping to spot a bear. Just before sunset is a great time of day, the crowds have gone home or are back in camp.

Nevada Falls

Yosemite Falls

Our last day in Yosemite was clear and sunny, finally giving us the full view of the valley! It was another walk and the only way is up here. 1000ft and 58 switchbacks later we all arrived at the base

Yosemite Point, Half Dome top left

of the upper Yosemite Falls. Rob continued up another 2000ft to the top of the falls and then Yosemite point. It was of course another amazing walk, this time with the complete view of the valley. The view of Half Dome highlighted a very successful Yosemite trip. That evening we found the energy for another valley bike ride, again enjoying the solitude that evening brings.

Yosemite Point, observing climbers on top of Stolen Arrow

Meadow late in the day