Yosemite

May 15-18, 2009
US644 IAH-PHX, US409 PHX-SFO, AC784 SFO-YYZ

We really enjoyed our previous trip to Yosemite; however, I was disappointed by the lack of waterfalls.  Armed with our still valid National Park pass, we went back for the spring and the heart of waterfall season.  The difference in waterfall volume was night and day; what previously were trickles were now torrential waterfalls, and Yosemite Falls went from non-existent to breathtaking.  Although it was a heat wave of 90F+, the spring thaw was not yet complete and some of the park roads were still closed.  It felt like not much time had passed between what had been closed for the season in the fall, to what had not yet opened.  Despite the heat, we survived in the cool shade of the mountains and the near the waterfalls.  As I had meetings in Houston, I started there and met Tom in San Francisco before we drove out to Yosemite.  After the short trip, Tom headed to meetings in Indianapolis and I went home to Toronto. 

May 15
Arrive in SFO

May 16
Drive to Yosemite

Bridalveil Creek with the benefits of a little photo enhancement

Bridalveil Falls; about 300% wetter than the previous fall

Our first view of Yosemite Falls, the highest falls in North America (9 months of the year)

Me with Upper Yosemite at my back

After checking into the hotel we hiked up the Upper Yosemite Fall trail for a close up

Upper Yosemite Falls up close

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls at dusk after the crowds had gone home

Half Dome and the Merced River at Sunset

Half Dome close up at sunset

May 17
Yosemite to San Francisco

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls are still around the next morning

Merced River with reflection of Yosemite valley walls

El Capitan mountain

Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls from Glacier Point overlook

More of Yosemite Valley from the overlook

More of the valley with Bridal Falls in the background

One of many warnings on cars where owners had left contents that might attract bears

Since the water was running we redid the hike to Vernal and Nevada Fall

Vernal falls before we got a thorough shower hiking up the steep trail just to the right

Vernal Falls from above

More of Vernal Falls

Nevada Falls from the upper trail

May 18
After a night in Lathrop we drove back to San Francisco for our flights