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Published: June 10th 2009
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Us at Yosemite National Park
As we first drove into the park. Yosemite National Park, one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.
We arrived in Yosemite Valley in the afternoon. After a quick stop at Bridalveil Falls we headed straight to the gift stop to get a map and badge as we weren't sure how long we were going to stay. We booked one night in a cabin and would decide from there. We headed to the ranger station and got a newsletter and worked out what we would do while in Yosemite National Park. After talking to the ranger we decided to stay an extra night.
When parking your car in Yosemite you need to be careful to remove everything from your car that smells like food or like people or BEARS will break into your car for it all. We even signed a waiver to say we were informed we had to empty the car. I am a simple girl for Koo Wee Rup and I was taking BEAR precautions. Crazy. Talk about realising how far
Bridalveil Falls
At the bottom there is a fair bit of spray. Not much compared to Niagara Falls but enough to get you wet still. from home we really were.
The next day drove a little while to Badger Pass snow fields and part took in a Ranger Lead Snow Walk - snow shoes and all!! It was a great morning, I felt like such an idiot at the start as it was a bit weird to start off with; it felt like we were wearing clown shoes. But like most people even I got used to it all. After the snow shoe walk we went back to Yosemite Valley, stopping along the way for great views of Yosemite Valley, North Dome and Half Dome, and found our starting point for our hike to Upper Yosemite Falls.
Because it was the start of spring there was a slight thaw which meant that there were little waterfalls all over the valley. By the end of spring they will be bigger waterfalls and by summer they will be all gone. This makes Yosemite Valley, and particularly Half Dome, a popular place for rock climbing.
We got to Upper Yosemite Falls eventually after A LOT of complaining on my behalf but it was so beautiful, the walk and the view. It had been worth walking
Me in Snow Shoes
At the top of Badger Pass up the killer hills and all those miles.
Our second day in Yosemite was like all days recently - an early start. We were off to hike to the Mariposa Grove to see some Sequoias Trees. Sequoias Trees are an evergreen, long-lived, monoecious tree living for up to 2,200 years, and this species includes the tallest trees on Earth, reaching up to 115.5 m (379.1 ft) in height and 8 m (26 ft) diameter at breast height. The only problem was because of the snow the road to the grove was blocked off, so we had to hike the two miles into the grove and then a mile more to see the REALLY BIG trees. The road wasn’t completely covered with snow but it hard going as it was all up hill.
The grove was amazing and the trees were definitely huge. The Grizzly Giant Sequoia Tree, one of the oldest trees in the grove is a great example of just how large the trees are. They are described as the largest living things on Earth and with the Gizzly Giant you can see why. Even its branches are the size of other trees.
The Fallen Monarch
Stephen in Snow Shoes
At the top of Badger Pass is another amazing sight. This tree fell more than three hundred years ago but because Giant Sequoias are resistant to decay it looks also as good today as it would of then (apart from being horizontal of course).
Next on our itinerary are some more national parks. Stay tuned.
Love Michelle and Stephen.
xoxox
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