The forecast showed a cold front, rain, and dropping snow levels. Not a promising outlook for a backpacking trip. So Micah and I changed plans to car camping instead, and visiting Yosemite nonetheless.
Stormy weather brings interesting clouds. And we saw a rare rainbow in Yosemite Valley, below the peaks. On one hike, we saw a bobcat and also came across a herd of stags with many points. You can’t truly understand biblical tales unless you’ve heard thunder explode through a mountain valley, which we did one night amidst a tremendous downpour. Our tent held firm and we were warm and dry. During the days, we only had sprinkles.
I enjoy flexible planning of adventures and since Micah and I know Yosemite well, we had no trouble re-planning our 3 day adventure on the fly. The first day we hiked up the famous Mist Trail to the top of Vernal fallsl, then Nevada falls. They were spectacular and October thins out the usual crowds. We took the John Muir trail back, which ended being a long 9 mile hike. The next day we saw Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Tunnel View — all the valley highlights. Then we went for a 5 mile hike at Hetch Hetchy — the San Francisco reservoir inside the national park. On the final day, we drove up Tioga Pass to the high country. We were looking for a short hike and found an amazing 1.2 miler to May Lake. I highly recommend this for top-quality, backpacking-like views with minimal amounts of walking. I think the reason so few people go there is you first have to drive a badly rutted, one-lane, 2-mile road.
Although not the backpacking trip we envisioned, we had a fantastic time!
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