YOSEMITE POINT (6,936') December 19, 1999

Eager for another hike in this unseasonably warm, dry weather, I chose to drive to Yosemite National Park. Meeting a hiking partner in the Central Valley, we stopped for this picture of Groveland, CA, and its holiday decorations. The standard sights of the park were captured. Our aim was to do this hike up the Yosemite Falls Trail. One begins at Camp Four, then ascends good trail up many, many switchbacks to the Valley Rim. To be sure, I then encountered only very short patches of ice or snow on the trail. The view up Yosemite Creek contained little snow.

The signs give the one-way distance as 4.2 miles. The elevation gain is about 3,000 vertical feet. The views from Yosemite Point were spectacular, and it seemed so improbable that now, in mid-December, we could still hike in the Rim highcountry. Other hikers were doing the same, with some carrying backpacks enjoying an overnight stay.

With my companion, our hiking time up was just over four hours. We checked the Falls Overlook side trail, then watched as the moon rose above Half Dome. Since we were a bit tired, we arrived back to the parking lot after dark. Luckily, I carry emergency gear, including a head lamp, everywhere. With sun and no snow forecast for a few days, my inclination is to enjoy, enjoy, and hike!

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