Yosemite National Park Pt. 1

I left Kings Canyon and headed for Fresno where I took a shower at Planet Fitness and got an oil change near Clovis, Ca. I then worked on some things in a library for a couple of hours before driving toward Midpines, Ca for the night. I found a little county park about an hour from Yosemite that I wanted to park at for the night. I got some In N Out on the way for dinner, which is a favorite of mine. I'm surprised it took me that long into the trip to get it.

I drove through some really beautiful countryside on my way to Midpines. I was driving through it at around sunset or just after. I wished I could have seen some of it in daylight but through the growing darkness it was still really nice. I found my place for the night and there was only one other van there. The bathrooms were really clean and it ended up being a pretty comfortable night. I woke up early to a rainy and foggy day. I got ready and took off for Yosemite National Park.

Over more hilly landscapes and around curvy roads, I made it to Yosemite. A large coursing river paralleled most of the drive into the park. Tall cascading waterfalls, cathedral rock walls, and fog through the alpine forest made up the valley in front of me. I was very excited!

The visitors center was closed but they had some rangers outside that I talked to about trail conditions. I got their opinions on which ones were best for different weather since it was raining and would be sunny while I was there. I walked around the village for a minute before driving off towards the Upper Pines campground to check-in before starting any hikes. I had to reserve a site at this campground since it was the only way to stay inside the park. It was a bit crowded and sites close together, but it would be more than enough for what I needed. I then parked in the Curry Village parking lot, not realizing the trailheads parking lot was open, and started walking towards the Mirror lake trailhead.

I was glad I ended up packing a rain poncho because my raincoat wasn't enough. Bundled up and staying sort of dry, I hiked along Tenaya Creek, which looked more like a racing river, through beautiful green forest, and past giant moss-covered boulders. The trail had a decent amount of people on it but there were stretches when I was alone. Besides the sound of water, both from the creek and the sky, it was a pretty quiet hike.

By the time I was nearing my van on the way back, my hands were ice and my sleeves and knees were drenched. I struggled to get my heater going because my fingers weren't working too well, so I turned my van on to help warm them up. I finally got my heater going and quickly warmed up. I made some lunch and played a game on my phone as I let the heater dry my jacket.

I wanted to walk the lower falls short little trail but the parking area was full, so I drove the valley loop instead. I went back to the visitors center to use the bathroom and to get some cell service for a little bit. Then all of a sudden the rain stopped and the clouds were quickly being swept across the valley. I started driving towards the campground when I stopped at this little parking area in front of the meadow at the center of the valley. Yosemite Falls was fully visible and it was breathtaking. I sat and watched it for a while and took some pictures. I was torn between finding something to do or going back to the campsite, so I decided to hop out at that little parking area and walk the paved walkway and boardwalks in the meadow. The grass was so green, plants in bloom, and the top half of the tree-covered cliffs were coated in fresh snow. The upper part of the falls made it even more stunning and unbelievable, since I had only been able to see the lower one and that was even amazing. The upper part of the falls was so tall; the water looked like it was turning into vapor before getting the chance to hit the bottom. I was able to see Half Dome, covered by some remaining clouds and fog, and was giddy at the sight.

Halfway through my little stroll, it started to snow a little bit, and minutes later it started to snow a lot. The fog moved in almost instantaneously and the falls and cliff faces disappeared again. The short window of clear skies and the spontaneous-feeling snow all made the day perfect, even though most of it was cold and wet. I just couldn't help but feel happy and excited to explore this place over the next few days.

I then went back to the campground, which was a little less crowded than I had seen it that morning. I found my site and started on dinner. That night felt like a chili kind of night, and I cooked it up while letting my soggy boots sit in front of the heater. It was a very relaxing evening.

I noticed it started snowing again, big fat flakes that hit the ground and turned it white. I stood outside looking up and all around as the clumps of snow drifted down, landing in my hair, on my face, and all around. I could hear kids playing and laughing and catching the flakes on their tongues around the campground. My neighbors were all taking notice while going about their dinner plans. The snow fell in slow motion. It was beautiful. And Magical. And the feeling was beyond what I can describe. I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.

That day was a really great day.