Yosemite National Park Half Dome = EPIC
June 11 - 14, 2014
Mark and Coral spent the first night in the backpackers camp behind North Pines campground in Yosemite Valley after “touring” the Yosemite Valley floor. We were awaken at 6:00 am with a bear visitor in the camp. After yelling “Go Bear” the tagged bear scurried off. We packed up and headed to the Happy Isles Trail head where we met up with Carey and Anna to begin our journey to Half Dome. We began our hike along the John Muir and Mist Trails making the climb up to beautiful Vernal and Nevada Falls. This was quite the trek with packs on our backs, and we were a bit wet from the falls once we reached the top. After enjoying the falls, we continued on, landing our backpacks at the Little Yosemite Valley backpackers camp. Campsite 15 was the perfect site, set up along the Merced River, it was spacious and had a bear box for our food! After setting up camp, we headed to the river for a cold dip and enjoyed the afternoon.
The next morning we were on the trail by 6:15 am headed to Half Dome. Continuously ascending the trail, we stopped often to enjoy the incredible scenery until we hit the unthinkable sub-dome. “Are you kidding me?” was a phrase being discussed amongst us. This long, steep vertical trail of granite, appeared to be never ending as we climbed and climbed. Towards the top of sub-dome, the trail ends and you find yourself climbing on flat granite. We were thrilled to make it over the sub-dome to a flat area where we locked our eyes on our next challenge: Half Dome. After taking in some water, food and rest, we put on our harnesses and gloves and gingerly walked over to the cables. Getting an early start, we were fortunate that few people were there and already half way up the mountain. The four of us began our climb on Half Dome. After a few feet we figured out a good way to work the cables along with our beaners. Once we made it to the top of Half Dome, it was if we were walking on the moon. Stunning and beautiful, at 8,839 feet. We had a wonderful lunch and met some great people. Heading down Half Dome was so much easier as we cruised down backwards and it felt like we were on a zip line due to our harnesses. We were back at our camp by 1:00 pm exhausted to say the least. We spent the afternoon at the Merced River and we all took in naps on the sand. Yes, sand. We all took a stroll as the sun was setting and came upon another bear. He wondered back and forth in front of the backpackers camp and finally headed back into the woods.
Our last morning was spend drinking coffee, relaxing and enjoying Carey’s fresh scrambled eggs that he packed in. We took the John Muir Trail back to Yosemite Valley, passing over Nevada Falls. This by far was the most beautiful trail. Walls of granite, wild flowers, bridges and rock steps. On our way home, we stopped at the Happy Burger Diner and enjoyed cheeseburgers, fries and beer.
Total Miles: 17 Elevation Gain: 4,800 fee
The next morning we were on the trail by 6:15 am headed to Half Dome. Continuously ascending the trail, we stopped often to enjoy the incredible scenery until we hit the unthinkable sub-dome. “Are you kidding me?” was a phrase being discussed amongst us. This long, steep vertical trail of granite, appeared to be never ending as we climbed and climbed. Towards the top of sub-dome, the trail ends and you find yourself climbing on flat granite. We were thrilled to make it over the sub-dome to a flat area where we locked our eyes on our next challenge: Half Dome. After taking in some water, food and rest, we put on our harnesses and gloves and gingerly walked over to the cables. Getting an early start, we were fortunate that few people were there and already half way up the mountain. The four of us began our climb on Half Dome. After a few feet we figured out a good way to work the cables along with our beaners. Once we made it to the top of Half Dome, it was if we were walking on the moon. Stunning and beautiful, at 8,839 feet. We had a wonderful lunch and met some great people. Heading down Half Dome was so much easier as we cruised down backwards and it felt like we were on a zip line due to our harnesses. We were back at our camp by 1:00 pm exhausted to say the least. We spent the afternoon at the Merced River and we all took in naps on the sand. Yes, sand. We all took a stroll as the sun was setting and came upon another bear. He wondered back and forth in front of the backpackers camp and finally headed back into the woods.
Our last morning was spend drinking coffee, relaxing and enjoying Carey’s fresh scrambled eggs that he packed in. We took the John Muir Trail back to Yosemite Valley, passing over Nevada Falls. This by far was the most beautiful trail. Walls of granite, wild flowers, bridges and rock steps. On our way home, we stopped at the Happy Burger Diner and enjoyed cheeseburgers, fries and beer.
Total Miles: 17 Elevation Gain: 4,800 fee