Yosemite Trip: Yosemite Valley

 We decided that our first day in the park should be a tour of Yosemite Valley and all the quintessential things that make the park famous. Not only was it our first day but also the hottest of the week! Temps in the valley topped out at nearly 100 degrees even at the lowest part of the park at 4000+ feet elevation. 

Shortly after arriving in the valley we noticed many parked cars lining both sides of the road and people staring out at the meadow. We knew from experience that only uncommon wildlife creates such a hubbub. As we suspected, it was a bear. A young golden-colored black bear. 

 

Then we found a parking spot for the truck and spent the rest of the day exploring Yosemite Valley and all its wonders. 

Royal Arches

Our first real hike was to Lower Yosemite Falls. Yosemite Falls is the tallest falls in North America  (2,425 feet) and the fifth tallest in the world! 

I love it when trails go around huge rocks!

Lower Yosemite Falls

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls

Upper Yosemite Falls

We did some more walking through the meadows along the Merced River. The views were beautiful from the valley floor!

The high temps near Swinging Bridge and Sentinel Beach made wading across the river such a refreshing break.

Sentinel Beach on the Merced River

Then we went back to the truck for more water and to move closer to the Mist Trail trailhead at the Half Dome Village. On the way we walked through the Lodge and Visitor Center area...

When we arrived at this meadow, we saw yet another tell-tale bear crowd. We walked along the river to where he last was and were met by the Wildlife Control officer. Unfortunately the bear that was seen had just approached three people resting in their hammocks and is probably the same bear that stole a cooler from a group of swimmers on the beach by the river. This poor bear probably had his "third strike." :( 

The valley has so many pretty old buildings, including the chapel. Built in 1878, it is the oldest structure in Yosemite Valley...

Thankfully, we found a parking spot only a mile from the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls...

The trail to Vernal Falls was beautiful. And hot. And felt very, very steep... 

Looking down from the base of the falls

We thought this was Vernal Falls. Until we saw the real ones in the distance. And then the trail got really steep. Staircase steep...

And at this point the trail became only one-way until 4:00 because of the narrowness of the trail. While being after 4 meant it was very hot, we greatly appreciated not having to do the much longer loop trail.

The hike up was totally worth it! We stopped by this rock to have a snack and were accosted by a gang of squirrels...

Many trail signs are metal rather than wood in order to survive

The hike down wasn't nearly so miserable. If we'd have had swim suits I think I would have dived right into this lovely little swimming hole...

Back at the parking lot, these deer were just wandering around. Like much of the wildlife in the valley, they aren't afraid of people...

Our last stop before heading back to camp for dinner was Tunnel View. But before we stopped to enjoy the view of El Capitan...

Tunnel View is at the end of the Wawona Tunnel, an almost mile-long tunnel and the longest highway tunnel in the state of California. 

The views of the valley are spectacular from there!

Although, like most of the falls, Bridalveil Falls had nearly no water and yet was still impressive!

While sitting on the tailgate of our truck to have a snack before driving back, we discovered that those pesky squirrels probably ransacked our backpack in order to get to our snacks...