We unexpectedly got to spend another night and day in Yosemite, as our plans to go to Lake Tahoe for the weekend were cancelled because of the snow.
We chose to go on the Mist Trail, which goes up to Vernal Fall and then Nevada Fall. It isn't a super long hike, but the elevation gain is absurd. We had all previously hiked part of this trail in our earlier visits to the park.
The first time Katie and I were in Yosemite, it was about 100 degrees out, so we only hiked up to the Vernal Fall footbridge.
This time, the three of us hiked to the top of Vernal Fall, and then I turned back and Katie and Jake went all the way to the top of Nevada Fall.
After passing the footbridge, we scrambled down some rocks to get a better view of Vernal Fall on our way up.
The steps up to Vernal Fall were steep and slippery! It reminded me of photos I've seen of Machu Picchu.
As we neared the top of Vernal Fall, we were hit with a gorgeous view of a rainbow over the base of the fall.
This is the last stretch of the hike up to Vernal Fall, and probably the most precarious.
This is the view from the top of Vernal Fall.
We spent our last night in the park having drinks at Tunnel View while we watched the sunset with our new friend Elise. It was a fantastic way to end a great week in Yosemite!
I became a quick fan of Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co's Half Dome California Wheat beer, and Jake sampled the Mammoth Brewing Co's Yosemite ales and IPA - this was my collection of Yosemite-themed beer bottles by the end of the week.