Vernal Falls
When we got to the valley the weather was dim. Gray storm clouds rested peacefully on top of the giant granite walls that tower over the valley floor. We had our sun roof open so we could see the top of the walls, and it started to rain a little. We still decided to go on our hike. Fate also gifted us with a parking spot at Curry Village. We had some lunch, threw on our boots, and headed to the trail. We opted to leave our rain pants in the car however, because we didn't think we were going to need them. Good thing we had enough sense to bring our shell jackets.
The gray sky
Jen decided to not do Half Dome because of time so she headed up the mist trail with us. The hike started off pretty dry, but when we reached the bridge everyone realized how much water we were dealing with. I have been to Yosemite many times, but I have never seen Vernal Falls as powerful as it was this time. There was so much water...it was breathtaking. We started with the rest of the hike up the cut stone steps. Doing the stairs always amazes me. Going up stairs for a long time is totally a chore, but when you add a gushing waterfall soaking you wet to the bone, you seem to forget all about being out of breath. The scene was so lush, the bushes and trees so green. It felt like we were in a tropical paradise. A rainy, tropical paradise.
Jen checking out Vernal Falls
We made it to the top of Vernal Falls and we were soaking wet from the waterfall. We decided to keep on hiking to Nevada Falls, but little did we know we were about to get a lot more wet. We started for Nevada Falls. When taking a break, we ran into some hikers that were trying to talk their friend into taking the Mist Trail back to the car. He didn't want to get wet, so he was talking about taking the long way back. Our friend Jen reached into her backpack and pulled out a poncho. She gave it to the hiker, and told him to use it. His friends all made fun of him for being such a baby, but he still accepted Jen's gift. His friends gifted him with a new nickname, "Poncho". Literally, a minute after we gave Poncho his rain gear for the falls, it actually started to rain.
Eric and I soaking wet
We hiked up a little further, but it stated to rain a little harder. We turned back and headed for the car, everyone (except Jen) put on their rain jackets, and headed for the top of the stairs. As soon as we got to the stairs, BOOM! There was a huge crack of thunder, and we saw lighting. Great..... It started to pour. It was raining so hard, there was practically a flash flood following us down the stairs. I thought I was wet before, but now, I was soaked. I was soaked, and it was magical. I have done the mist trail a few times, but this was the most fun I have ever had on it. Hiking in the rain is always exciting, but add thunder and lightning, and you have a completely new type of energy. It was magnificent to see the valley in such conditions. Beautiful views graced us all the way down the trail, and we took a lot of great pictures. When I got back to the car I had about two inches of water in each boot, but it was worth it.A view from the top of Vernal Falls
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3 comments:
yeah, this was EXTREMELY wet. I took it as an opportunity to see how my gear would respond. I could have kept my boots dry, that ws the only part that was a mistake.
My shirt was dry quickly, like it is supposed to be being all poly NO COTTON. Though for whatever reason on the trip down, with a parka on, I still had a river running through my pants. On a longer, more remotehike, I will always take the rain pants after this...
great entry, amber! that was a fun, if drenching, hike.
it was a great way to test gear. my magical montbell thermawrap jacket is a great windbreaker and very warm, but in a complete downpour starts to get a little damp inside.
believe it or not, I was wishing I had that little poncho on our trek in peru- the clouds opened and i opened my camelbak and remember that our buddy "Poncho" needed to for the walk down!
I was really impressed by how quickly my poly shirt dried out, even though it was still wet outside. Nylon shorts and Amber's shirt, not so much, guess nylon takes on water a little more happily.
So I know to take the pants now! And sounds like you will be replacing your poncho soon! Saw some of your peru pics! Looks awesome and congratulations to the two of you!
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