YOSEMITE: Day 2

So on our full day in Yosemite we wanted to get in as much hiking/exploring as possible. The park has tons of scenic trails to choose from, and we decided to hike up to Upper Yosemite Falls, which is a 7 plus mile hike that gains 2,600 feet in elevation along the way. (That's TWO Empire State Buildings--I only know that from the trail guide book.)

Check out those falls!
View from the Lower Falls Trailhead
We would be hiking to the TOP of the upper falls!

Ready to rock n' roll
(T-shirt evangelizing for The Hardy Boys along the way--If you haven't heard them, check 'em out!)
**People we encountered on the trail thought my shirt was for The Hardy Boys book series, which it is not. My Dad used to read those books to me though, and I was having trouble remembering the boys' names--Frank and Joe Hardy (How American!). I could only remember their overweight friend's name, which was Chet. Chet was always finding himself in a pickle and those darn Hardy Boys would have to save him. What friends! Anywho...

The trail was steep.

At the first stopping point along the trail.

 So, as you all know now, Court digs animals of all kinds. I snapped a couple animal shots on our hike for good measure.

Mom, this one's for you! Get out your bird watching materials and identify this little guy!

OK, so this one Court was decidedly NOT excited about!
This cute little venom-squirting monster with razor sharp fangs and evil intentions was lying in wait for us along the trailside.

This picture does not accurately represent how steep and tall this cliff face was.

We made it!
(So I have to brag: Our trail guide book told us the hike would take 6-8 hours, and we did it in 5.....even though we spent an hour  laying on top of the mountain eating lunch. Experienced front country hikers I tell ya!

Looking straight down over the falls several thousand feet.

Lounging/napping on top of the falls before heading back down.

 So after our big hike of the day we headed up to Mirror Lake to see what all the fuss was about. The hike was easy and the destination was hoppin'. It was like an old school swimming hole up in the mountains. There were a bunch of people from the park up there hanging out and swimming....so I couldn't resist getting in, even though the water was VERY cold!

The Lake

Getting ready to fall into the current and get carried down to the jumping rock

Look at how impressed the little children are at my jumping skills!
(By the way, I was not the ONLY non-child that was jumping off the rock.....I promise.)

So, that night, Court and I dined at the over-priced-but-still-awesome Curry Village all-you-can-eat Cafeteria. (Their fish sticks were to die for!) After that, we watched a movie on the history of Yosemite out at the amphitheater and made friends with some cool folks who had been coming to the park for 50 years--what a blast!