Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What A Ride!”

 

Yosemite National Park is one of those places that will turn you into an outdoors enthusiast and a photographer at the same time.

When I arrived, I asked the park ranger which hike I could do that would give me the best views, while not completely wearing me out.  He suggested the Upper Falls Trail, which actually proved to be quite difficult.

Upper Falls Trail

Distance: 9.4 miles (15 km) including Yosemite Point

Elevation at trailhead:  3,967 feet (1,347 meters)

Elevation at top of Yosemite Falls:  6,526 feet (1,989 meters)

Elevation at Yosemite Point: 6,936 feet (2,114 meters)

Hiking Time:  6 – 10 hours

Fun Fact: In the course of your hike to Upper Yosemite Falls, you’ll climb the equivalent of just over two Empire State Buildings.

Reason To Do It:  You won’t need to hop on the stairmaster for AT LEAST  a month & its your chance to get a photo of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome in the same shot. The following views are also some pluses:

Unfortunately, as soon as I reached the top of Upper Falls Trail, it began hailing and I was forced to sprint down ~5 miles of washed out trail with hail pelting me in the back. It wasn’t the best idea to wear a tank top, which I had to try to use to conceal my cell phone and Ipod. I did however make a few new friends while taking shelter under some cliffs along the way. I emerged from the woods soaking wet and covered in mud, shivering all the way back to my camp spot (which you know isn’t close if you’ve ever been to Yosemite).

Sometimes unpredictable weather and unfortunate endings make for good stories and unforgettable memories.

Interested in the Upper Falls Trail? You can read more about it on Yosemite National Park’s website.