Mist Trail (8)

The storm clouds moved in.

Snow was supposed to hit Yosemite National Park in the late afternoon.

I gambled taking the Mist Trail all the way to Nevada Falls.



It was worthwhile.


A seldom seen perspective.


A third bridge over the Merced.


The top of Nevada Falls.


No guardrails.


Nothing to obstruct the majesty of nature.


Looking left:


Looking right:


Looking behind:


The wind was powerful...


Blowing the mist back up the cliff!



I headed back down to Vernal Falls.



To quote Sol Rosenberg:
"It makes me very scary! I get very very ah scared..."



Are you paying attention?



One last look at Vernal Falls.

Yosemite National Park -- The Mist Trail.

Mist Trail (7)

I crossed the second bridge over the Merced River.

I could see Nevada Falls in the distance.

As I continued up in elevation it got very windy and cold.



The trees offered some protection.



Nevada Falls looked so close but yet so far.



Listening to too much NPR messes with your head.



Smaller steps up the side of Nevada Falls.



I think it's easier to walk on tumbled rocks.



Than the huge steps earlier on the Mist Trail.

Mist Trail (6)

The Mist Trail became hard to follow.

The majority turn back after reaching the top of Vernal Falls.

Few go on to Nevada Falls.



I went back to the water and followed the Merced.


The trail was hard to miss.



I was getting tired.

Mist Trail (5)

After much climbing, I reached the top of Vernal Falls.

Before cascading off the cliff the water gathers at Emerald Pool.

It's about a mile from here to the top of Nevada Falls.



Vacationers used to swim in Emerald Pool.


It's closed for safety reasons and habitat restoration.



The rocks are so finely polished they glare intensely.



The majority turn back at the top of Vernal Falls.



The Mist Trail became hard to follow.

Mist Trail (4)

The Mist Trail is known for being wet.

The rocks are slick towards the top of Vernal Falls.

But the spray didn't soak me at all.

Good thing given my track record with iPhones and Sierra waterfalls...



This was the scariest part of the hike.



The guardrails keep things pretty safe.



But it's still pretty scary.

Mist Trail (3)

Steep

Stairs

And

Steps.









Rocky Balboa ain't got shit on me!


I saw this in a movie:



When I see steps like this, I hear that Rocky theme in my head.



Getting strong now...



Getting irksome...



What's with all the steps? A Shaolin Monastery?



I began to expect a Kung Fu master might be up top.



Probably delirious.



Shouldn't have gotten overzealous!

Mist Trail (2)

The leisurely stroll was over.

I crossed the Merced River.

From here on, the Mist Trail becomes a real hike.

Distances are deceiving. Worry more about elevation gain...



Here, it's also possible to connect with the Glacier Point trail.



Vernal Falls comes into view as the trail steepens.



Steps are hewn into the rock.



The climb is worthwhile.

Mist Trail (1)

I had trouble finding the Mist Trail.

It starts at the end of Yosemite Valley in Happy Isles.

The trail climbs past Vernal Falls to the cliffs above Nevada Falls.



I finally reached the trailhead replete with bear boxes.



I followed the path past Happy Isles Nature Center.



I planned my route.



There is a seismograph at the trailhead.



I passed a sign on talus fauna and another warning about bears.



This part of the Mist Trail is paved...

but steep.

With awesome views of the surrounding mountains shorn by glaciers.



The trail becomes rugged after this bridge.



Many turn back with only this glimpse of Vernal Fall.

Yosemite Valley

I left Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

I jumped on Rt. 120.

Destination Yosemite Valley.

I stopped at Merced Grove & Tuolumne Grove.



Each has a loop trail through giant Sequoia groves.



I turned back after a short jog down the trail to Tuolumne Grove.



I stopped again at Half Dome View.



A model and kiosks illustrate the geology of Half Dome.



I pressed on into Yosemite Valley.



The roads were empty compared to my visit in June.


I made a short excursion to Bridalveil Fall.



Next stop, the Mist Trail.

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (7)

Three black bear encounters.

And this was only my first hike of the day.

I headed back to the camper van.

A snow storm hit Yosemite Park that evening.



I wanted to get to Yosemite Valley and the Mist Trail.


The sun came out.


It was a nice hike back.


The trail passes through this tunnel before the dam.



I no longer need the stick, so I tossed it off O'Shaughnessy Dam.



I headed for Yosemite Valley.

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (6)

I turned back at Wapama Falls.

The black bear was waiting for me.

And I knew it.

I had my stick ready.



I sensed the bear was close.



I came around a blind turn. A few feet away in the middle of the trail was the black bear.



The above video is actually the third (last) encounter. I had my iPhone at the ready for the second "suprise attack". But I mustn't have hit the record button.

I was too busy swinging my stick around like Gandalf. I smashed that stick until there was nothing left.



I managed to scare the bear into the brush. He cut up the slope and tried to take the high ground.

I took off down the trail. I followed a wide curve up the embankment and arrived first.



I shouted a quick warning to a couple. They took off in a hurry.

I continued down the trail, warning a few more people. I met a hiker who wanted to see the black bear.

We went back to look but the bear was gone.

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (5)

I left the black bear behind.

I'd deal with him twice more on the return.

Even in late November Wapama Falls was flowing.



This is the water that feeds Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.


And the people of San Francisco.


Snow melt from the high Sierras.