Yosemite is very crowded all the time, but summer is the busiest. The earlier you get started the better. First stop, Bridalveil Fall.
Riding bicycles turned out to be the best way to get around on the valley floor – lots of paved paths – and parts of the park are closed to general traffic, only the shuttle bus, bicycles and pedestrians are allowed. Sweet.
The Merced River:
Next stop, the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall. The trail was only 0.8 mile but all uphill, therefore slow.
Ample bike parking.
The upper pool of Mirror Lake:
Formerly known as the Ahwanee Hotel, it’s now called the Majestic Yosemite Hotel.
The dining room:
Beauty is everywhere.
Yosemite Falls in the distance.
It was a hot day – the 90s in the park, 104 in Mariposa. Ice cream from the Sweet Shop was a very good idea.
Lots of biking, hiking, and sweating – a good night’s sleep was assured.
arletelouise 