Yosemite: Mariposa Grove, Lower Yosemite Falls, and The Ahwahnee®
Day 2 started early because the drive to Mariposa Grove took about 2 hours from our lodge. That gives you an indication of how massive the park is. On the way, we had much fun listening to Chinese pop songs and our companion J kept reminding me to take it easy for the hike that we were going to do. Even though it was spring, some roads were still closed for safety reasons and because of that we had to hike additional 3.2 KM just to get to the entrance. It was mostly uphill and surprisingly I did better than expected. Once we've reached the entrance, it was almost like being in a different world as towering redwoods made their presence. Imagine these trees have been around for hundreds of years! How many seasons have they seen come and gone? Philosophical thoughts aside, we had fun checking out 2 popular trails - the Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree . The trees are ginormous and we really look like little people in the pictures. I don't really know how to describe the feelings that I had when I walked through the trails. The closest is probably a sense of awe.
The journey started where the shuttle bus alighted us. At the start and it looked okay but as we continued on it got steeper and steeper.
Completed the first 2 miles. Phew.
The remaining snow enhanced the landscape.
The Fallen Monarch: A tree that fell more than three hundred years ago.
Probably most photographed at Mariposa Grove.
The California Tunnel Tree. This is the only living tree with a tunnel in it.
Bridalveil Fall. Incredibly beautiful.
El Capitan
The dining hall at The Ahwahnee® Hotel, Four-Diamond hotel. Even though we loved the dining hall, the food left much to be desired.
Lovely view
Excellent view of Half Dome
Lower Yosemite Fall
Another one
At Yosemite Visitor Center.
The journey started where the shuttle bus alighted us. At the start and it looked okay but as we continued on it got steeper and steeper.
Completed the first 2 miles. Phew.
The remaining snow enhanced the landscape.
The Fallen Monarch: A tree that fell more than three hundred years ago.
Probably most photographed at Mariposa Grove.
The California Tunnel Tree. This is the only living tree with a tunnel in it.
Bridalveil Fall. Incredibly beautiful.
El Capitan
The dining hall at The Ahwahnee® Hotel, Four-Diamond hotel. Even though we loved the dining hall, the food left much to be desired.
Lovely view
Excellent view of Half Dome
Lower Yosemite Fall
Another one
At Yosemite Visitor Center.