Tunnel View with El Capitan, Bridal Veil Falls and Half Dome in the distance
The classic "Tunnel View" - Half Dome in the distance, El Capitan on the left, Bridal Veil falls on the right
Rock scrambling below Bridal Veil Falls
Catching some mist below Bridal Veil Falls
One with a rainbow below Bridal Veil Falls
One of the signs we didn't pay attention to - many others we did.
Cooling off on a hot day
Our destination (Half Dome) off in the distance
Sara posing in front of Half Dome
Rainbow below Lower Yosemite Falls
Lower Yosemite Falls
Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls
Upper Yosemite Falls
We were fortunate not to encounter bears while backpacking. We found the bear storage boxes to be invaluable for protection from the ground squirrels!
Just getting started. Little Yosemite Campground is our first destination. Half Dome for day two.
Our first break at the Vernal Falls bridge
Heading up the Mist Trail
The Mist trail lived up to it's name - a nice cool mist from the falls. Earlier in the summer, it's more like the Drenching Trail as you get soaked.
Vernal Falls
Almost to the top of Vernal Falls
Over the edge of Vernal Falls
Un-ending steps up to the top of Nevada Falls
Catching her breath on the way up to Nevada Falls on a hot day
Enjoying a rest
Nevada Falls on the way up the Mist Trail
At the top of Nevada Falls, only a mile to our camp site. A long ways to Mt. Whitney.
The Merced river at our campsite at Little Yosemite
Our campsite in Little Yosemite
Half Dome in the distance
Day 2 on our way up to Half Dome (in the background)
Half-Dome-20110815094844_1319
At the base of the sub-dome. A ranger was checking permits here.
Non-stop breathtaking views of the high country. Cloud's Rest on the right.
Ascending the sub-dome. Steep granite steps, feeling the effects of 8000'
Up the sub-dome. In some ways, this is just as dangerous as the cables with steep drop-offs,no railings and very steep.
Our first full-on look at the summit and the cables.
The middle section of the cables ascends at more than 45 degrees. Combine that with the altitude (8000'), a long hike before it and a bunch of adrenaline and the best way I could desribe it is a "scary rush".
About to get to the cables
Starting up the cables. It is ridiculously steep (more than 45 degrees). You cannot walk up - you have to pull yourself up using the cables and you rest on the cross boards.
View to the north off the top of Half Dome. A little smokey from a nearby forest fire.
We made it to the top! Standing on the edge of Half Dome with Cloud's Rest and the Tuolumne high country in the background.
Sara taking pictures of the Half Dome wildlife
