Yosemite National Park

We actually wanted to drive to Las Vegas through Death Valley. However, the normally very dry valley was actually closed due to road damage caused by heavy rain (!). So we drove straight on to Mono Lake and at the same time crossed the border into California. Various limestone tuff formations protrude from this salt lake and there are small crustaceans, birds and an incredible number of flies that nest here. We spent the night in the small, sleepy town of Bridgeport and there in a cool, old-fashioned hotel. We had dinner in the only restaurant that was still open and we had a cozy evening with beers and playing cards.

The next day we drove on to Yosemite National Park via the Tioga Mountain Pass. This is closed most of the year due to snow and ice, but we got there early enough to use the shortcut between the east and west ends of the national park. We went on two nice hikes along the way. Once to Dog Lake, a refreshing mountain lake where the tough Sascha went swimming. And after that we hiked around Tenaya Lake. Finally, we drove to Olmstedt Point, a beautiful viewpoint from which you can see the highest mountain in the national park, the “Half Dome”. Afterwards we went to our motel, which was about an hour away from the park entrance.

The next morning we drove to Yosemite Valley. After a short, relaxing hike in the forest, we went uphill in the afternoon to get a closer look at Yosemite Falls. On the way back we passed the famous mountain “El Capitan”. We watched some climbers on the climb, some of whom also spent the night in a tent at lofty heights. This steep and high rock face looms mightily above you and you become completely awestruck when you see it. In addition, all three of us had watched the film “Free Solo”, in which Alex Honnold climbed this steep face without safety in under 4 hours. We walked very close to the foot of the mountain and climbed a few meters ourselves, which made us even more aware of how awesome this climbing route must be - even with safety! It goes uphill at a quasi 90 degree angle and there are hardly any noticeable holds to hold on to. The mini climbing was enough for us and we ran back to the car. In the evening we had delicious burgers in the restaurant right next to our motel and we played cards.

On the last day we went on another hike, which was quite long uphill and led to a viewpoint from which we could observe another beautiful waterfall. We also saw climbers climbing the “Half Dome” here too. After walking back into the valley, we drove back to Lower Yosemite Falls and scrambled over many rocks to a swimming hole. The water was so ice cold that Jana and Philip could only keep their feet in for a short time and even Sascha came out again after a few seconds 😄. After a final look at “El Capitan”, we drove to the high viewpoint “Glacier Point” and enjoyed the view of the valley and the “Half Dome”.

We now move on to Fresno, from where we drive to Sequoia National Park.