We hit the trail at 9:00 a.m. A very late start by our standards, but we were in no hurry to do anything today. In fact, we woke up and said, "Let's go for a hike in Yosemite."
Loaded up the wilderness daypacks with our 10 Essentials. Gassed up at Vons while Pam got the sunscreen at Long's (she forgot where she put her organic sunscreen). Caffeined and croissanted up in Oakhurst and off we went.
We have never hiked Chilnualna, so we thought it would be best to hike it now since the temperatures are way below normal for this time of year due to the unseasonal storms in the area and the area is still green and the creeks and rivers are overflowing due to the snow melt.
Although marked "strenuous," it didn't seem like it. The only strenuous part was from the start of the "staircase" alongside the first cascade. After that, it was a fairly decent hike. We started under clear skies, but as we neared the halfway point, clouds formed overhead. No threat of rain, but the temperatures did drop noticeably while we were standing on the exposed rock.
We never saw any wildlife except for an occasional bird and squirrel.
We encountered very few people along the way.
After our hike, we stopped at the Wawona store to feast on ice cream drumsticks and tortilla chips and salsa. I ate the drumsticks. Chips and salsa were way too much for my tastes after a hike. Now, an order of fries and a chocolate shake would have hit the spot.
The first cascade up. A series of stone steps like Vernal Falls takes you almost straight up.
Signs, signs, everywhere there are signs.
Somebody forgot something.
All to ourselves.
Water seeping from the granite.
We will probably run this trail next time.
Well-maintained trails.
Ahhhhh...taking it all in.
Mist of the Falls.
Photo opportunity time.
Ditto.
A snowmelt creek.
From another angle.
Wawona Dome.
Up and up...
Almost there.
Beyond here, takes you...
Here with more trail to go.
Then a little further up the trail...
Absorbing the roar of the falls.
This is where we turned around.
As we like it! Very few flying and biting insects.
The Wawona Valley down below.
Another view.
Erosion marks in the granite. I imagine there is a scientific term for this, but...
A lot of water flowing this time of year.
It doesn't get any better than this.
Same falls, different angle.
Now, if it were really hot...If you are ever in the Yosemite National Park area, this is an 11.2 mile must-do hike. Start early and you will probably have the whole trail to yourself. There are toilet facilities at the trailhead. If you forgot anything, chances are the Wawona Store may have it. Bring sunscreen and bug repellant. Bring at least 1 liter of water and some snacks. If you have a water filtration system, there is plenty of water along the way. If you plan to backpack, you must obtain a wilderness permit. And remember, Pack It In, Pack It Out.
The next hike we would like to do is the Alder Creek trail hike which is in the general vicinity of Wawona.
Wherever I may roam...
