Horsetail Falls

This year June turned out to be the perfect month for waterfalls, thanks to late spring storms. Right off of Hwy 50, just outside of the small town of Strawberry in the Eldorado National Forest is the trailhead to Horsetail Falls.
View Larger Map Park Services provides a parking lot, but there is a $5 parking fee. (Last year when we checked out this hike, we talked to one of the parking attendants and learned that while it's only a $5 parking fee, the fine for not paying the fee is $50-$75, just so you know.) The trail makes a loop up to the edge of Desolation Wilderness. If you stay to the right side of the trail (which is easy to follow if you look for the trail markers pinned to the trees) the path stays close to the water, with little waterfalls and rivers along the way, including Cascade Falls. Be carefull about going off of the trail, it does give some beautiful views of the water, but you never know what you might find along the way. Papa came less then a foot from stepping on this guy bathing in the sun. Thank goodness he seemed to be sleeping as this rattler never moved once. Whew- that sure got our hearts pumping. There are also some beautiful views of horsetail falls along the way. Once you get to the top of the loop trail you enter the Desolation Wilderness Forest, which requires a day use permit (which they provide right there). This part of the trail gets a bit more adventurous. There are a few streams to cross on makeshift fallen log bridges, but the trail can be a bit difficult to follow. Just follow the low trail, if you head up on the rocks, you eventually have to come down from the rocks and further along on the trail the more difficult it gets to get down from the rocks. At one part the low trail looks impassible due to water, but the water is just for a bit and there are usually stepping stones to keep you out of water. We had a great picnic lunch just below the waterfall. Of course I spent the whole lunch throwing rocks into the falls. There was so much water that the power was just amazing. The sunny weather made for a beautiful day, but there was a bit of a cold breeze which required at least a sweatshirt. We spent about three hours on the hike, but that included about an hour by the falls. The hike is 2.8 miles round trip. There is a way to get to the top of the falls and the lake above, but since there is no path that way and it requires scrambling over rocks, we haven't tried it, yet. I love waterfalls or 'totertalls' as I call the them, 'big totertalls.' There is also some really cool big rock formations. If you want to know a bit more about the hike, check out this site, it's quickly becoming our favorite site for planning waterfall trips. This hike is best in the late spring or early summer, as the waterfall gets smaller as the snowmelt ends during the summer. Yeah for 'big totertalls.'

More Yosemite!

I've shared Yosemite with you all before, but there is so much to see and share. This is my third trip to Yosemite, and each time we've found a new adventure. We drove in along Highway 120 and down into the valley, which provided beautiful views of the roaring waterfalls. (Springtime is definitely the perfect time if you love waterfalls.) We stopped along Cascade Falls, and to get the view of Bridal Veil Falls. As we came into the valley we stopped at Bridal Veil Falls

(yes we've done this hike before, but it's quick and simply amazing to be that close to that much falling water). Don't forget your umbrella's.

Next we headed down the road to the Vernal Falls Trail head. The Vernal Falls Hike is a three mile hike, but gains about 1,000 feet in elevation (including 600 steps on the granite stairway to get to the top of the falls) which makes it a bit strenuous. It was amazing. The first 1.5 miles takes you to the bridge at the bottom of the falls,

while it is mostly uphill, it's on a path and is definitely doable. After checking out the great view from the bottom we headed to the top. Thankfully a kind couple descending passed their poncho onto us, because you definitely get wet.

The water coming off of the falls and the breeze creates a constant mist. This part of the hike is definitely strenuous, but a lot of fun, with an awesome view to stand on the top of the falls. We had a nice snack at the fast flowing pools above the falls before we headed down. Between Mom and Dad I sure had a nice (yet wet) ride.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Oh and don't worry, even with all the outdoor adventures I still found some time to read (right in the mud;).

After a good nights sleep we decided to check out Cherry Lake, which is just outside Yosemite. The 24 mile road down to the lake was beautiful

and even shared its wildlife. We got to Cherry Lake, but wanted to explore a bit more. We took an unmarked dirt road, hoping it would lead us to a neighboring lake. After a long but fun bumpy road we made it back into Yosemite National Park to a trail head parking area

and decided on a quick hike. Less then a mile down the path brought us to a great picnic spot at Lake Eleanor. It was nice and peaceful down on the lake,

but the amazing roaring dam was what really captured the day for us. So, powerful, it was great to walk across it. Yosemite is a must. Hopefully, we'll be able to check it out again next year, if not sooner. Happy adventuring!

Summer Time?

Last weekend we went exploring. Our final destination was Yosemite, but we decided to make the drive down just as much of an adventure as the destination. Highway 4 starts (or ends) in Stockton, CA, and ends (or starts) at highway 395 close to the Nevada border and travels through the Sierra Mountains in the El Dorado and Stanislaus National Forests.
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The road is closed in the winter, but with it being June, and practically summer, we'd thought we'd give it a try. The road was definitely open, but our late snow fall (within the last two weeks) made for some beautiful winter landscapes. First, we found an awesome river and waterfall, just off of the main road.

Ebbetts Pass, the portion over the top of the mountain, made for some exciting driving with 6 foot snowbanks on one side of the road and the cliffs edge on the other. Not to mention the still frozen lakes. The overcast weather and almost deserted roads set the perfect mood for an almost winter drive. It was amazing that within an hour or so we went from winter, to summer. If you want to take a beautiful scenic drive Highway 4 should definitely make your list. Learn a bit more here.

Happy Driving!