Yosemite 2014
A couple of days after I ran the Montour 24 hour ultra, we flew into Fresno, CA, picked up our car rental, and checked into our spacious and very modern two bedroom cabin with a living room, kitchen, and full bath - the Pine Suite at Sierra Mountain Lodge Bed and Breakfast. We spent the next few days hiking strenuous and treacherous trails to the heavens, meeting a cute actor on the trail, and then hiking more in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.
Home base - The Pine Suite in Sierra Mountain Lodge Bed & Breakfast
Hugging a 2000 year old Sequoia tree on the
Mariposa Grove Trail.
We spot this beautiful coyote from afar and zoomed in for the perfect picture!
Fires were burning in parts of Yosemite. Atop Glacier Point and the Half Dome in the background. Hiking the Half Dome is by paid lottery and we lost our money twice.
Always stay hydrated! Filling up our bottles for the long hike on the Misty Trail.
The Misty Trail took us to Verna Falls and the rainbow at the bottom of Nevada Falls.
Happy to be hiking on an itty-bitty but technical part of the 222 mile John Muir Trail
The 3 mile trail up to Upper Yosemite Falls is grueling. The trail is rocky and treacherous.
Carry a hiking stick/pole.
On our way down! The round trip hike took us 5 hours plus a 30 minute break on the lake
to enjoy it and refuel
On our way up to Upper Cathedral Lake we see this cute canine hiking down with his master. Turns out he's the cute actor on Portlandia! His name is Ram.
Enjoying our little piece of heaven that is
Cathedral Lake and getting ready to hike down
before the rain comes!
Sharing our 29th wedding anniversary in front of two beautiful sequoia trees that have been faithfully growing together for
hundreds of years.
Another amazing awesome sight -
momma bear and her cub!
After a long hike, we made it to Sentinel Dome
Hiking 600 rocky steps on the Misty Trail
On the way to Verna Falls. Wish I lived among this awesome forest of trees.
Taking a break on the John Muir Trail to refuel and photo bomb!
After 3000 feet of elevation and 3 miles later, my tired feet are reinvigorated in the cold lake atop Upper Yosemite Fall before the
3 mile hike down
The next day we set out to conquer
Cathedral Lake Peak and not El Capitan in the background. Cathedral Lake trail is
7 miles roundtrip
The peaceful and calming
Lower Cathedral Lake
Great day of hiking and some rain, and ready for some more hiking at Sequoia National Park the next day.
Read Next: How to Enjoy the National Parks
I hope you've been inspired to visit and hike Yosemite. Find out how to plan your trip at the Yosemite National Park website.
Happy Trails!