Vernal Falls: A Glimpse

We trudge on.  Is trudge an appropriate word to use?  We are are the trail for 45 minutes.  Already, the elevation gain feels intense.  I'm out of breathe, but truthfully, the grade is is about 25 or 30 degrees and we're still on the pavement.  We keep drinking our water because we have 1 more spot to fill up.  After that, we are on our own.

Becky and Travis have a nice water filter, so they are our back up in case we run out of water. But considering I'm carrying 5 liters of water, I think I'm good!

We can hear the waterfalls. Vernal is coming on. I'm excited to see the flow.  Knowing that the park got 200% snow pack these year means major flow even this far into July!

 And here we are! Vernal Falls.

This is a flow we would normally see in April and May when the snow begins to melt.  Check out how big these boulders are! Its incredible to think that glacial activity moves these!

And here off to left, Mike is topping off his water supply. Right after this, we are officially on the Mist Trail.  Wonder why they call it the Mist Trail?... 

Mile Zero

We made it!!! 

 Well, to the trail head that is.

See all the smiles? Those are perfectly healthy young men and women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s... pre a 18 mile hike...

The sign shows Half Dome being 8.2 miles away...  How hard can it be?  Forget the weight on my back!  I'm armed with my gloves and hat, and headlamp (still lit in this picture)  We are moments from breaking dawn.  Its right about 5:45 am at this point.  We are ready to go!

And right after this photo, my small Nikon camera ran out of batteries. But have no fear! I brought two extra sets!  Where are they??? in my car, which is back at housekeeping camp... sleeping.

Getting Started

I woke at 4 am not really getting much sleep as it was.  I forced myself into bed at like 9 pm... the anticipation was just killing me!  I could feel myself being reactive and not in any glow-y nice way.   I must have woken every 30 minutes. I could hear Becky and Travis whispering.  Under my blanket... I was so aware and awake!

I knew my nerves would kill me. So sleep it must be.

I packed up my bag as much as possible, throwing the entire thing in a bear box to eliminate the need for pulling Chapstick, vaseline and cliff bars out in the dark, at the quiet campground.  Water bladders were filled. Lunch, made.  All I had to do was get dressed, get the camera ready and get going!

I was expecting us to be on the trail at 4:45 am, but when all was said it done, it took 45 minutes just for everyone to be almost ready.

I put my pack on for the first time. Water, Camera, Pole and all. OMG. It was HEAVY.

And the temperature was cold!  I'm glad I grabbed my hat and gloves before I headed out the door on Wed.

Raymond, Becky's dad, graciously agreed to drive us to the trailhead eliminating the need to find parking and then an additional walk.

Shannon & Me in the back of my car

We all piled in, Shannon and Me in the back and Raymond took us as far as he could... about 200 feet from the trailhead. Not far... but knowing what we had ahead of us... and what was already on my back, it was annoying.  

The journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step.  We stepped. And we smiled!  This was gonna be GREAT!

I'm so excited, I wanna throw up!

Yesterday was our last full day to pack!  I half most of my bags packed. Camera gear, food, clothes all that stuff laid out on the kitchen table!

I can't believe it! So close!  Its gonna be GREAT!

Seriously few days and counting!

My last hike has been haunting me from posting. One of those "I'll get to it soon" things and before I knew it... dude, its like 8 Days from the hike! ok. 9. 9 days!!!

I just read Rick Deutsch's Yosemite's Half Dome, One Best Hike. I've had it for about a year now, and finally thought it was best to pick it out.

Its awesome.  I just read this "Hiking Half Dome" chapter where he breaks down the hike step by step. Landmark by landmark.  Giving an assessment, altitude, water details and what to expect.  I've kinda using it as my bible.

I got some hiking poles 2 weekends ago... Brian broke one.  So he replaced it the other day. He was nice enough to take care of it quickly, since, I’m starting to freak out a bit!  

Its getting so close, I can't believe it!

Trying to mentally make a list of things I need... and begrudgingly need to carry!

5 liters of water in 2 bladders
Food
The Beast/ Gorilla pod/ Lens and filter
Sunscreen, Chapstick, band aids
Hat, extra pair of socks
Cheap raincoat poncho with chip clip for securing
Plastic produce bags for making gator boots
headlamp and fresh batteries
iPod and buds
sunglasses
small towel
tissues/toilet paper
gloves for the chains
Hiking poles
Velcro straps for securing poles to my pack.
Permit/Identification
watch


I'm hoping Brian can manage carrying the binoculars and maybe my Gorilla pod. Its not big, but this stuff is gonna be enough!

Lost Palms Oasis Trail... DONE

A camping trip to Joshua Tree NP led us to the Lost Palms Oasis Trail!  This is a trail I had my eye on for a couple of year, but thought that's a CRAZY! A Seven mile hike! Fast forward to me, at 31, searching for hikes to practice on. Another reason that we never did this hike before, was that we are seldom in the south end of the park, but to pass through to get to the 10 freeway.

But, we did it! It was Me, Shannon, Steve and Susan.  Brian, Brad and Mike & Stella (Shannon's new puppy) did a smaller 2 mile hike.

See the "No Dogs on trail" icon... this will make sense in future photos.

Me, Brian, Steve, Mike, Stella, Susan, Shannon and Brad!

Mike and Stella

Look at Stella!

Me, trailblazing!

YAY! At the oasis!

Shannon uses her mini gorilla pod to get a group shot going!

The Lost Palm Oasis is behind us!

Me, Susan and Steve!






Check out all the liquid Susan had on a 7 mile hike in the sun!

Up we go!



I feel like this palm looks like a giant ice cream cone!



                                Beaver tail cacti





Susan was smart when hiding from the sun!



Steve helps Susan down a steep hill, cause she wasn't wearing proper hiking boots.



some red barrel cacti

 

This part of the trail was all sandy! It really worked the bum!

Check out this incline!



Random lush green bushes on our journey!

                            
                                                                    Some sort of albino lizard!

This was the most spectacular creature we saw!!! 

No, Shannon's not showing off her jazz fingers... she's trying to get her fingers to stop looking like sausages... just like mine!

We finished! Now off for an hour trip back to the campsite to rest and eat grub!

Topanga Canyon Hike

Well, I forgot what was the name of this hike... but it was brutal.  For very. Short. High. Steep. Climbs go.

I was sweating almost instantly.  We even passed a whole family that were casually making their way up the hill together. I thought it was so endearing.  There was a daddy that had the baby carrier on his back

When "mom" came into view, I got to see that MOM was PREGNANT... Like... Ready!  Naturally, I felt out of shape when pregnant women were on this trail... After making a comment, the lady revealed that today was actually her DUE date.... Damn, I admire that lady!

When we finally reached the top, we took these nice pictures.

PS... I had an entire camel bladder of water, and Lisa had 16 oz...

And had this view

Then, Lisa discovered this little guy.  My guess is he sat down for a nap, and called it a life.

Another perspective going down...

Going down was do steep. There were lots of loose rocks and stones and dry dirt. I kept almost falling, and Lisa, being such a sweetheart, kept reaching out and grabbing me. The funniest part is that this is all that instinct that is built into us... I would have brought Lisa down with me! I did eventually reach the ground, and had this battle wound to show off...

Skinned knees... I felt like a kid again.

All in all, it was a good hike. Got my heart rate pumping, and enjoyed the company!