Thanks to everyone who commented on my post asking questions, everything went great, and I had an amazing time! It was a trip of firsts, first time to Yosemite, first time camping in my car, and my first solo trip! 

3/29: Due to circumstances I arrived later than originally planned, got to the South Entrance at 10:21, was through in 6 minutes. 

The drive was beautiful, the first view of El Capitan and Half Dome coming around the corner before the tunnel was absolutely stunning. You go into this knowing that these granite mountains are huge, but seeing the sheer size of it in person is jaw dropping.

There was quite a bit of traffic in the valley, but besides major congestion at the Bridalveil Falls parking lot, it wasn’t awful. Went straight to my first site at Upper Pines Campground, got set up, and ate lunch. The camp host was very nice, we chatted about my plans and he showed me where the trailheads were. 

After lunch I started out to Vernal Falls. I didn’t realize that it is uphill the whole way, but I took my time and was grateful they have a water station at the footbridge. Went up the stairs to the second overlook spot, got soaked, but it felt great as it was a hot sunny afternoon. The rainbow was out in full form! I am not an athletic person and am not in great shape, so I was proud of myself for pushing through up the trail as far as I did. 

When I got back to Happy Isles I caught a shuttle to Yosemite Village, gotta check out the souvenirs first so I can have time to think about what I want before I leave. Then caught the shuttle to El Capitan Meadows, walked around there and walked up to Cathedral Beach. Hopped back on the shuttle up to Four Mile Trailhead and walked along the river to Swinging Bridge and wandered around in that area for a while. By this time it was getting to be about an hour before sunset, so I walked over to the Yosemite Valley Lodge shuttle stop and went back to El Capitan Meadows. 

The sunset was fabulous! Low clouds went from golden, to peach, then pink, and finally red. The mountains turned a burnt orange color, and with the moon rising above it was absolutely stunning. (In hindsight I wish I’d gone back up to Tunnel View for this sunset)

The campground ended up almost 100% full, there were one or two empty sites by 10 pm. Someone on the other side of my loop was causing a ruckus and the cops showed up to handle it, other than that the night was peaceful and quiet. 

3/30: Up at 6:20 to hike to Mirror Lake. The sky was hazy and cloudy to the east, no colorful sunrise just a gradual lightening of the area. Had the place to myself, met two people coming down the trail, and one coming back up when I was heading down. Beautiful cascading creek, especially with the Dogwood trees in bloom. 

Walked back to my site and grabbed my car and drove over to Bridalveil Falls go catch it before the crowds, got there about 8:30, there were people but not too bad. The one nice thing about having people around is if you offer to take someone’s picture they’ll usually offer to take yours in return, it’s nice to have a couple shots that aren’t selfies. Got some nice long exposures of the falls (I think, haven’t processed my dslr photos yet) as well as the creek and one of the bridges. 

Next I figured it was still early enough to go see lower Yosemite Falls before the crowds got too big, so I drove over there and parked by the lodge and walked over. Again, amazing view with a little bit of a rainbow peeking out. 

Went back to my site for a late breakfast/early lunch and to relocate my things to my second site before noon. Watched the rangers in a big boom truck trimming tree branches, very interesting to see how it worked. They were using the tiniest chainsaw I’ve ever seen, with maybe a 12” bar. 

After lunch I went over to the Ansel Adams Gallery and the Exploration Center. Then I walked down to Cook’s Meadow. I thought the water under the bridge would be a good view of Half Dome to take a picture and proceeded to pay my respects to the Merced River by unintentionally taking a knee. Soaked my right leg almost all the way up and filled my boot with water. Fortunately my phone and my camera were on the dry side. There is also a convenient log right there you can sit on to wring out your sock and drain your boot, with a good view to ease the bruised ego, if not the bruised knee. Was glad my two big hikes were done, could wear sandals for the rest of the trip. 

Headed back to my site to change into dry pants and got to watch the rangers drop a dying tree, again very interesting. 

Went up to see the Ahwahnee and then went back to Cook’s Meadow to finish the loop, no river incidents this time!

Stopped by the pizza deck for dinner, absolutely can recommend, delicious pizza! The wait ended up taking almost an hour between waiting in line and getting the pizza. I was there right around 5:00 so I’m sure that wasn’t the best time to expect it to be faster. 

After eating I went back and got my car, stopped at a pullout with a view of the river and Bridalveil Falls, with a blooming Redbud in the foreground, 10/10 view.

Drove up to Tunnel View for sunset, unfortunately the sky was still hazy and cloudy, so no color on the maintains like the night before. It’s still an incredible scene though! Stopped by Cook’s Meadow to get a couple long exposures of that big elm tree with Yosemite Falls in the background. 

I went to Curry Village to shower around 8:30, I didn’t see anywhere to pay. They had pool towels available to use, and the water was nice and hot.

This evening the campground was very empty, at least half as many spaces were empty compared to the night before. Made for a very quiet night. 

3/31: Got up early to pack up and have breakfast, left by 7:00. Took 120 out of the park and my goodness the views up there were incredible. If I wasn’t on a schedule I would’ve stopped multiple times to take pictures, especially of that cascading waterfall that you drive over. 

In conclusion, the park is phenomenal, and I didn’t even get out of the valley. The next trip (and there will absolutely be a next trip) will for sure be when Tioga Pass and the road to Glacier Point are open and I have more time to spend exploring outside the valley. 

Trip Report 3/29-3/31