Crinkly's Good Ole American Family Road Trip Day 23: Driving to the far outreaches of the park to see some water (9/19/15)

We headed into town (Mariposa) to get breakfast and groceries for lunch for the next 2 days before heading back into the park in order to explore some of the farther points of Yosemite. First we head to Hetch Hhetchy reserve, which caused us to drive through the park, exit in the northwest and then reenter at the HH area. Its a dam built back in the 20s for a water reserve for SF.

I think I see the dam. Looks so tiny from back here.

Crinkly would like to point out, it is not so tiny.

Crinkly looking out over the lake on this fine day.

Amazing weather yet again. I need a hammock right around here.

The dam with its water outlet discharging water in the distance.

Water was coming out with some force. Looked like a fire hose spraying against the rocks.

Beautiful view down the valley dont you think Crinkly?

Crinkly wants to travel down the cave.

Where we came from before we go farther.

As we exit the cave, Crinkly wanted another view of the gorgeous lake.

Still early. Sun trying to peak over the side of the mountain.

Panoramic view of the lake.

Made it to the next lake for some lunch and Crinkly wanted to sit on the rock and put his feet in the water.

Panoramic view of this lake.

Trees get browner as they get farther from the water.

Panoramic view of the plains region on the east side of the park.

Even the plains region has spectacular rocks jutting out of it.

Just another view of yosemite to enjoy the day.

Crinkly enjoyed these rocks. Apparently they were smoothed/etched over time by glaciers.

Some of the smooth rocks in the foreground with a beautiful landscape in the background.

I want to go back to the lake but we must move on.

We walk across the dam and through a tunnel to get some better views of the mountains with the water in the foreground. The waterfalls are all dried up but still beautiful. After that, we head back into the main part of the park and head up the Tioga Road to the Tuolumne meadow; this part of the park to me looks pretty different than the valley part of the park. Has lakes around with mountains that have been carved/affected by glaciers long ago. Makes for really pretty and smooth rocks. Stop at Tenaya lake for lunch before checking out the visitor station next to the meadow. After that we head down to back to the lodge to hang out for a bit in the room.

Crinkly's Good Ole American Family Road Trip Day 22: A long walkabout on the drive-about (9/18/15)

Wake up with no specific agenda and eventually grab some breakfast at the diner on-site (12$ pp but we made it work) and then we head into the park. Head up towards glacier point, stop on the way to see the tunnel view, which was gorgeous, and then we continue up to the point. After walking around there, my dad and I decide to go on a walk on part of the high sierra loop trail - believe it was called the panorama trail (~9miles total).

Nice view as we drive up to glacier point.

Crinkly taking his first of many pictures with half dome.

Let it flow! Let the water flow!

Panoramic view from glacier point.

That is a long waterfall. Good to see the waterfall we saw yesterday wasnt indicative of all the waterfalls here.

Crinkly really does love the half dome formation.

Damn anti-vaxxers :) But seriously, never thought I would ever see a sign warning me against the plague.

Crinkly sees where we are going and realizes its a long way down. Beautiful but far.

Sierra Nevadas in all their glory.

Before we get down, this is where we are starting from. 

Crinkly viewing half dome through the trees.

Crinkly taking a picture with I believe half dome in the background and a small waterfall in the foreground.

Found a little water source as we ventured down this path.

Panoramic shot as we found a great lookout on the trail.

Crinkly wanted to climb the mountain. We had other plans. 

My dad letting Crinkly see over the shrubs at the valley in front of us.

Crinkly and I modeling for the National Parks.

Liberty Cap up close and personal.

Crinkly was about to blow away so we anchored him down. Lets go take a dip in the swimming hole back there.

My pops on his walk about. 

Life is about the journey, not the destination. Crinkly is glad he came on today's journey for sure.

View down the waterfall. Yall know how hard it was for me to try and get this. 

Such a healthy looking rodent. Beautiful creatures big and small on this trip.

Crinkly meeting a furry lil friend. Although, we were told to keep our distance before :)

Liberty Cap and half dome hanging out on such a glorious day. Crinkly chilling in the shade enjoying the view.

The Vernal Fall is such  a nice waterfall. Crinkly is almost as big as it.

That is the waterfall we are going to. Getting close.

Crinkly and I are watching the water crest over and begin its descent. 

Crinkly and I like this waterfall a little more than the one from yesterday.

Crinkly and I posing with the rock tunnel.

My dad and Crinkly as we come down the death steps (these werent the worse ones) with a beautiful valley in front of us. Almost to the end me thinks.

Trail being 213 miles? Crinkly says no. This is the sign at the end of our trail coming down from glacier point. Nice little 8 mile walk.

Sun setting on El Capitan. Views like this is why I will always love the mountains.

It is a gorgeous walk, but long and not all downhill, despite what the altitude from the start will have you think. These waterfalls on the walk had water falling over them which were pretty and dad waded into one of the pools on top of the falls with the water looking pretty nice. We make our way down and eventually get to the last waterfall, the vernal falls, and as we walked down, it was treacherous; steps of rock for a few 1 or 2 hundred feet down which made our walk down very rough. As we were walking down, we realized that is not a hike we would want to do on  a regular basis. We eventually got down to the car and head to the curry village to get pizza and beers after a long hike. After our meal, we head back to the lodge and my dad and I head to the spa to relax after the long day. Felt nice. After a little bit of time there, we head back to the room, get our showers and make some plans for the next couple stops after Yosemite