First visit to Yosemite National Park and we thought we would take ourselves off to the recently reopened Miraposa Grove as it was on the way to Yosemite Valley. Very windy roads and longer distances that we thought were a point of note for the rest of the visit. The Grove has been reopened this year after a 3-year project to protect the site and reconfigure trails and facilities. It is an outstanding visit and the giant Sequoias are magnificent. We hiked for 6 -7 miles through wonderful woods and Sequoia groves, including the upper grove where the visitors really did thin out from the numbers at the lower grove. Plenty of deer and or animals were an addition to the splendid back drop of truly impressive trees. This is a must do visit for anyone coming to Yosemite, very impressive.
In the afternoon we thought we would go to Yosemite Valley to take in the valley views and see Bridalveil Falls. The journey up took a little longer than we thought and there were some areas of the mountainside forests that looked more apocalyptic than anything else having suffered the ravages of wildfires. Large swathes of burnt and fallen trees were a reminder of just how nature can bite back, or man can be reckless. This was the aftermath of the 2018 Ferguson Fires which consumed 85 miles2of the park. The views became increasingly spectacular, but nothing quite prepared us for the exit from the Wawona Tunnel where the whole of the valley vista was presented. We spent some time at the viewing point at the end of the tunnel taking in the breath-taking scenery of El Kapitan, Bridalveil Falls and the Half Dome.
After way too many photos and selfies, we went off to Bridalveil Falls which was relatively close. I took time being a photographer nerd whilst Ed and Sabine went off to visit the Falls and Linda allowed her knee to recover from the days exertions. On the way home we took in a sunset and as a consequence arrived home late, tired and hungry. Burgers and tacos out at the nearby grill and bar followed by a well-deserved rest. Great day and only a taste of what was to come.!!