By: Zee van Zyl
Some of the main attractions in Yosemite to which millions of people come from all over the world to see are the numerous waterfalls found throughout the valley. The most renowned of all cascades down the centre of the valley. So majestic is this waterfall that it could only be named after the valley itself.
On one of my rest days, I decided to take a hike up to the summit of the falls as a break from the strenuous climbing and to give my body time to heal from a fall I had two days prior. The details for this hike according to the NPS are as follows.
Distance: 7.2 miles (11.6 km) round trip
Elevation: 2,700 ft (823 m) elevation gain
Difficulty: Strenuous
Time: 6-8 hours round trip
Wait a minute, this was supposed to be a day off. A day of rest and relaxation. My legs and arms were bruised, my ribs and shoulders were still sore and my fingers were shredded. To top it off, I also had a twisted ankle. I decided to do it anyway and would just take it easy, not that I had a choice. I would leave it to my body to dictate the speed and judging by the people passing me on the way up, this was going to take a while.
I parked across from Camp 4 and packed some snacks and my ice tea into my day-pack. The weather report spoke of rain, but neither I nor anyone else believed it. It had just started to get light, the sky was clear and I could already feel that it was going to be a warm day. I packed my jacked anyway and set off on the trail. Not ten minutes later I was ripping off my trousers and stuffing them in my bag. This was shorts weather.
The trail is well maintained although still quite rough and rustic. There are no handrails and the path is either sand or placed rocks which are easy to walk on as it winds its way up through the forest. Eventually, a lookout point is reached and one can see the entire valley. Pictures were taken, snacks were eaten, and after a short rest, I headed off again. For the first part of the hike above Camp 4, I couldn't hear the waterfall, but as I rounded the corner the roar of the water got louder and louder. At one point, the path is almost below the falls, the air is filled with a fine mist and the tremendous noise of the water smashing on the rocks below obscures all sounds around you.
From here the path really starts to climb and shady rest spots that aren't occupied by other hikers are very hard to find. The switchback path twists and turns its way up the mountainside for what seems like endless hours. The sun beats down from above and is reflected by the huge granite wall to the left that is the eastern bastion of the El Cap massif. The only reprieve is an ice-cold stream that trickles down the slope from above and makes an occasional appearance on the path. At these moments I would be able to wash my face and arms, splash water on my neck and after cooling myself down, continue up the trail toward the elusive summit.
By now I started passing hikers who were already on their way down. They obviously had an early start to their hike and their cheerful disposition and encouraging remarks on how close I was soon started to get to me. They were just being nice, but the constant "You're almost there" from each group I passed seemed as if they were just taunting me. The summit loomed over me but never appeared to get closer. Onward and upward I slogged, slowly placing one foot in front of the other and trying really hard not to overexert my ankle. Eventually, the switchbacks started getting shorter which is usually an indication that the summit is near. I could now see the curved granite boulders that lead to the top.
The path now straightened out and slowly wound its way through some trees toward an area populated by groups of hikers, all digging into backpacks for snacks and drinks or furiously snapping away with cameras or cellphones at the magnificent view. I joined the incessant throng of amateur photographers and, trying not to get bumped off the cliff, made my way to the edge to get proof that I had made it to the top. The view also demands photographic recognition. After separating myself from the crowds, I found a semi-quiet spot to sit, relax and devour a few protein bars. I sat in the sun relaxing and waiting for my shirt to dry when suddenly it started getting cooler and the light began to fade. I looked up and saw the dark clouds gathering above. Just as I began to wonder if this could be the rain which had been forecast, it started to rain. Bags were packed and shouldered as a mass exodus of the summit began. Not wanting to get stuck in the crowds, I quickly followed suit and started back down the trail.
It had taken me 3 1/2 hours to get to the top although it had felt a lot longer, and now I had to get back down. Those who have been in the mountains with me know that I find it hard to walk down a hill. It always feels like fighting gravity, and where is the fun in that. So off I went, running like an idiot back down the trail to the shock and horror of all the other people trying to make their way up the same narrow path. I wasn't alone though, and soon there were three of us constantly changing the lead while shouting "Runners coming through" as we made our way back to the valley floor. An hour after leaving the summit I stepped, with rubber legs and a stitch in my side, off the hiking trail and made my way back to the car. It was a wonderful day, filled with fun and excitement. I had thoroughly enjoyed myself until I woke up the next morning and couldn't move...
Another lovely read and stunning photography.
Magnificent photography,model nature at her best.