Monthly Musing: Hiking Yosemite Falls

Well, it’s official. I have finally visited Yosemite and it’s only taken me 24 years. It’s about time!

See, I live in California. Born in Sacramento, raised in Elk Grove, went to school in Davis and Los Angeles, and now back in Elk Grove. I’ve traveled all across the United States (the only states I haven’t really been to are the middle ones like Arkansas and Oklahoma… I’ll make it those few states one day) yet I have never been to Yosemite and it’s only 2 1/2 hours from where I live. People travel from all over the world to see the beauty of Yosemite and I have it right in my backyard! It was about time I took a trip there.

Yosemite Falls. We hiked to the top.

A look over the falls. Notice the rainbow

I got the hiking/outdoor bug when Steph and I went hiking on our Portland trip with my cousin Amy. My cousin Amy has since moved back to be closer to me (and the rest of our family, I guess…) and I told her I really wanted to not only see Yosemite, but do some hiking. Her suggestion- Yosemite Falls. A fairly intense upward hike that is the equivalent of climbing the Empire State Building twice. Yes, you read that correctly, twice!!

Looking out from the top of the falls.

Chilling at the top. I was precariously sitting on a boulder because I am that adventurous 🙂

My twin sis, Kara, and my cousin, Nick, met up with Amy, in Modesto on Friday night. We woke up and were out the door Saturday morning by 5:30am and on our way to Yosemite Falls. With enough water and snacks to sustain us on our day long hike, we began our ascent around 8ish. It took us 4 hours to reach the top but it was well worth it!

The cousin: Me, Amy, Kara, Nick

Amy and Kara a few minutes into the hike.

Me and Nick

Heading back down the mountain.

We had great weather and the views were absolutely incredible! I can’t wait to go back and I think next time we are tackling Half Dome

-Kelly

Half Dome