Since just about all the country is in the midst of the summer heat, here are some pictures to cool you down, or maybe to visit Yosemite National Park.
Last month, we took a one day visit to Yosemite to take one hike, the Mist Trail hike. This past winter saw a higher than normal snow pack. Vernal Fall would normally have a diminished water flow by now, but even now, at the beginning of August, the snow is still melting, and looks just like in the pictures.
All the blogs and websites we checked in preparation said that the Fall was full, swift, and very wet. We even bought ponchos in anticipation of getting wet, and they were well used!
About half a mile from the Trailhead at Happy Isle, you come to a Footbridge. Here is a view of Vernal Fall from that bridge. It is like it is enticing you to go further.
Half way up some 700 VERY WET steps, you catch this view of Vernal Fall. Sorry for these photos, but it was very wet, windy, and a bit difficult to shoot there. At least there is a rainbow at the bottom.
Was able to get this picture of the bottom of the Fall, again with another rainbow. The lens quickly got wet again.
At the very top of the Fall, you can see this view of the precipice of the Fall, as it goes 317 feet to the boulder-strewn bottom. We didn't even have to cross the barrier to get this picture, as it is spectacular enough as it is. You can feel the force of the water as it plunges over.
As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; so my soul panteth after thee, O God.
Psalm 41:2 (RDV)
We'll post some more waterfall pictures tomorrow.
