We started our trip around 4:30am, Sam and I in the backseat and Mama C and Dad up front. After 3 hours, we finally made it to Mariposa where we stopped at this adorable coffee shop for coffees and bagels. I particularly liked what the owner had done with the floor.
After our little refresher, we stopped at the Yosemite welcome center hoping for some suggestions or basic information about what areas were still open for the season. The sweet old lady (complete with bright red lipstick) gave us all of the information we could possibly need. She suggested we start at Mariposa Grove and then make our way into Yosemite valley. Unfortunately, Tioga Pass and Glacier Point were already closed for the season, but she was able to suggest a couple other scenic hikes.
So, we started with Mariposa Grove and the giant sequoias. Even though a couple roads were already closed due to a recent snow fall, we were lucky enough to not need our trusty tire chains. I did get excited when I saw this sign though:
Coming from Georgia, where the tallest tree you will see is probably a pine, I just fell in love with these majestic trees. The red of their trunks, the huge diameters, the tall tree tops as high up as a sky scraper- truly beautiful.
We started with a short hike to the lower grove to see some of the larger trees there, including the California Tunnel Tree. I'm not sure what kind of car could fit through that "tunnel" today, but it is amazing that the tree can still thrive with a huge chunk missing.
We then decided to make our way to the upper grove to see the Fallen Tunnel Tree. The signs we saw said it was only about a mile hike, so we started on our way. Thankfully, the path was fairly dry, except for a few muddy portions. We did have to make a quick stop while Sam tried to fix one of the park signs:
Speaking of signs, I wouldn't recommend you pay too much attention to the distances on those trail markers. We think the rangers just guessed the distances since they didn't seem to be consistent at all. After what seemed like much more than 1.2 miles, we finally made it to the Mariposa Museum, the entrance to the upper grove. Only a little bit further to the Fallen Tunnel Tree! The museum was this quaint little log cabin built in the midst of some very beautiful sequoias. I just love this picture. I imagine myself drinking hot chocolate by the fire in that little cabin. How perfect would that be?
Unfortunately, the museum was closed for the season...as were the bathrooms. No one was particularly upset about the museum being closed, however the lack of bathroom facilities was beginning to be a problem. Since the "short" hike we had thought this would be had already taken over an hour, and that delicious coffee we had all enjoyed earlier in the morning had now made it's rounds, Sam made the executive decision that we should make our way back to the front to find some open bathrooms. By this time, the fog had started rolling in, covering everything in a misty haze. Even though it looks fairly dark, it was only about noon when we took the picture below.
The walk back down was not nearly as enjoyable. The fog and lack of sunlight was making the air much cooler than before, and the crowds had become larger now that it was a little later in the day. It wasn't too busy for me to stop and take pictures though :-)
After practially running down the last little bit of the trail, we finally made it back to the parking lot. Go figure- the first 2 sets of bathrooms we found were "closed for the season". This was not good. Personally, given the amount of people looking for bathrooms that day, I think they might be closing things up a little too early. Anyway, we finally found a couple open ones, so our trip could continue.
We then made our way into Yosemite Valley. This is the view from Tunnel View Road, and it was definitely amazing! The fog blocks the view of Half Dome, but it is still breathtaking. On a side note, Sam's Uncle Tim sent us a picture from when Sam's grandparents visited Yosemite in the early 90's. They took a picture together standing in this exact spot. Pretty cool.
We then headed to Yosemite Lodge to check in and grab some lunch. The Lodge was nothing fancy, but it is in the perfect location. We were within walking distance to a couple bus stops that will take you to different parts of the Valley and to a few dining options, and, we were very close to Yosemite Falls. After lunch, we decided to take a short hike before it became too dark (at 4pm!!). The falls were still flowing, although this is more of a trickle compared to the gushing water in the spring.
Family picture on the rocks near Lower Falls.
Another view of the falls and the rocks surrounding the area. There was a sign at some point during our walk that said all of those rocks had fallen from the surrounding cliffs. Scary.
We had already seen deer a couple times that morning; this little group let us get fairly close before running off into the adjacent woods. Also, it is a little hard to see in this photo, but I thought the benches made out of logs were pretty awesome.
I took this picture on our way back to the lodge from the valley. The fog rolling in makes it look so mysterious. I just can't imagine what the first few people who stumbled upon this valley were thinking. These photos truly don't do the views justice.
We finished up the evening after dinner stopping at the Ahwahnee Hotel. The hotel is absolutely beautiful. My favorite part was the huge fireplaces with seats on either side. After walking around in the cool November air, this was the perfect place to end the evening (along with a hot chocolate), and, it wasn't closed for the season.
