We arrived at Yosemite Lakes TT RV park on June 17th for six nights while we explore Yosemite National Park. Since Barry needed to be careful with his back, and we both needed to be respectful of the altitude and 100 degree heat, we decided we would do what we could, but we would not push it. Taking a day “off” in between active days made sense. I don’t need to be passing out again!
Our first full day driving into Yosemite was exciting. We stopped along the way at various scenic overlooks.
First view of Half Dome & El Capitan
Thinking of my brother, Montana. He climbed El Capitan years ago.
Bridalveil Fall
The best time to view Bridalveil Fall and all falls within Yosemite is in the spring, but many roads are closed due to snow. The dark rock shows how wide Bridalveil is during peak flow of water.
Yosemite Fall 
Do you see a face in the mountain? 
Do you see the lizard? 
Yosemite Fall
We made our way to Curry Village to park the Jeep. We lucked out finding a parking spot that was shaded all day here. From here we got on our bikes and checked out Mirror Lake. It was quite disappointing to see so little water! We had our lunch there in the shade.
We continued biking our way to Yosemite Village, stopping to take pictures along the way. When we saw people enjoying water time at the Tenaya River we thought that seemed like a great idea for us the next day to relax and beat the heat.
Yosemite Fall (again) 
Half Dome 
Half Dome
Once at Yosemite Village we went into the Village Store to look for t-shirts. Success. We headed back to the Jeep at the Curry Village parking lot. At one point we had a deer right next to us in the meadow and then he came onto the path! We were so glad we had the bikes to get around today. Walking everywhere would have been draining in the heat.
This was posted outside the Yosemite Village Store. I thought it was worth sharing.
The next day we slept in big time! We considered driving into Yosemite NP to hang out at one of the areas of water, but decided to stay put at Yosemite Lakes TT today and lounge at the river here. We can have the same relief without having to make a long drive! We moseyed down to the shallow river and just chilled most of the afternoon. It was just what we needed. Plus without driving in and out of the NP, I had enough energy that evening to make a peach cobbler!
To VERNAL FALL
Our next day of exploration was a full one. We started off with parking again at Curry Village. Got another spot that look to be shaded most of the day. We headed on our bikes to the trailhead for Vernal Fall. Not sure why all the falls here are labeled with the singular form fall, but they do, so I will hopefully use that throughout my blog.
Due to Barry’s back issue, I was the sherpa for all our biking and hiking. OK…maybe not a sherpa. Just the mule. LOL. It really wasn’t bad. So glad we took our hiking poles! My knees would not have survived without them.
Got a picture of the bear on the trail. 🙂
Half way!
First peak at Vernal Fall
The Vernal Fall hike was considered “EASY”, but let me tell you, it wasn’t. Hmmm-just saw it listed as “MODERATE” in a different Yosemite publication. That’s more like it. It was a steady, and rather steep incline for 1.5 miles. The last part has fairly steep granite steps. It was easy in the sense that it is mostly paved or packed dirt, but with the high temperatures and the altitude it was tough for us going up. Luckily, it had awesome views all the way, AND nice flat boulders edging a lot of the trail to provide places to rest momentarily along the way. (We only needed them on the way up.)
Reaching the final stretch of stone steps. Some steps were quite high and steep.
We made it! Feels GREAT up here with the mist of the falls reaching us. We hung out here for a while enjoying the views and the mist.
SO nice to feel the mist of the falls! 
Time to start hiking back down.
On our descent we stopped at the bridge area at the halfway point and had our lunch.
I highly recommend this hike. It is definitely worth it. Just take your time, and take plenty of water and electrolytes. It didn’t take nearly as long for us to go down thanks to our hiking sticks/poles. The altitude does not seem to be a problem for us when making descents. FYI at the halfway point where a viewing bridge is there are bathrooms and a water re-fill station!
Once we biked back to the Jeep, we drove toward Glacier Point stopping along the way as vistas dictated. First stop, the iconic Tunnel View featuring El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall.
As we journeyed up higher I couldn’t help but be in awe of the beautiful contrast of life and death. The burnt areas and new life actually complemented each other. I found it to be spectacular.
Next stop – Washburn Point. The views were incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed the serenity at Washburn, especially when I climbed up on a granite boulder to just sit quietly and take in the views! There were definitely fewer people at this vantage point. Most probably go directly to Glacier Pt. This is where I began to appreciate the immenseness of Half Dome. Half Dome has an elevation of 8846 ft. The granite crest extends more than 4486 ft above the valley floor. It is pretty cool that you see it from so many different locations within Yosemite. Some angles you may not even realize it is Half Dome. Pictures really don’t do it justice. Actually 2D pictures don’t do any landscape pictures justice.
Below: Zoomed in photo of both Vernal Fall (bottom left) and Nevada Fall (upper right) from Washburn Pt. Vernal Fall is the hike we did this morning. How cool it was to see both of these from up here in perspective to Half Dome.
Onto Glacier Point!
BTW the road to Washburn Point and Glacier Point have some narrow, and super tight turns. Don’t attempt to drive an RV up here! It was dicey at times in the Jeep.
Walking from the Jeep up to the viewing area, we stopped due to a bear sighting off to the left of the bathrooms and another building. This was so cool!! This totally made my day! Tried to get a video, but it was a little dark…but keep reading. Surprise ahead!
When a couple ladies crossed over the rock border toward the bear, and the bear was coming closer, a petite ranger yelled out, “I need all feet on pavement NOW!” She was awesome. Then before we knew it she yelled at the bear to “Get going! Yah! Go! Get OUT of here!” as she fired rubber pellets at him. She explained that she needed to scare him badly enough to really leave the area. Evidently it was a male adolescent bear who had visited this area twice earlier today. If they can’t get him to leave, and stay away from populated areas, it could mean having to put him down. Hopefully, this makes people think first and respect that these are truly wild animals. Do not encroach on them for a cute picture, and certainly never feed them! Sometimes I think when people are in a National Park that they assume all animals within the park are more docile, even tame.
Glacier Point continues with views of Half Dome, but includes the entire Yosemite Valley. You can see Yosemite Village, Curry Village, and Yosemite Fall.
The geology of Yosemite.
In 1925, Yosemite Natural History Association built this stone geology hut as an observatory to educate visitors about Yosemite’s geologic past.
Barry and I were going to do this hike, but just couldn’t squeeze it in. LOL –NOT!
Talk about great camouflage…Check out this little lizard on granite. 
Amphitheater for ranger talks. 
Beautiful blue jays seen throughout Yosemite!
On our way back to the Jeep… whoa! SURPRISE! Here comes the black bear…Yes, it is a black bear. Black bear can be black or shades of brown to blonde. Those in Yosemite tend to be a cinnamon brown. (Yellowstone’s black bear are more black.)
Videos: 
Bear Returns! Clip 1
Bear Returns! Clip 2
It was cool to watch the bear use its paws and claws to forage in the bark for ants and bugs to eat.
What a great way to end our day!
FYI:
Collisions with vehicles is the leading known cause of black bear deaths in Yosemite! As many as 38 bears have been hit by vehicles in a single year in the park.
Now for the long drive back to Yosemite Valley and on to the Thousand Trails.
Drive home: Tunnel View near sunset
Looks like an awesome place. We will definitely have to go there.
It really is. I highly recommend it.
Stunning photos! Love reading your commentary too! Have always wanted to visit more of the National Parks in the west, Yosemite included. Thanks for taking us along!
Glad you enjoyed it so much! That means a lot to me. Yes, the West is amazing.