Jasmin, Mari, Quan and myself flew into the original town of Yerba Buena (San Francisco) that was previously inhabited by the Yelamu tribe and later colonized by the Spanish, Americans and Chinese workers.

San Francisco

We picked up our upgraded Jeep and started our four hour drive to the third oldest national park in the country with a stop at Denny’s for breakfast.

Yosemite National Park

Entered the smoke filled and ash covered wilderness park that sprawls over 750,000 acres of cliffs, waterfalls, mountains and meadows. Reservations required.

Tunnel View

The smoke from the nearby Oak and Washburn fires had all but extinguished the views from the scenic overlook.

Tunnel View

We had to rely on this brass model of Yosemite Valley to show us what we were missing.

Yosemite National Park

Stopped at a nearby meadow with wildflowers and bicyclists going over the boardwalks.

Lower Yosemite Falls

We parked and walked over to the base of North America’s tallest waterfall.

Lower Yosemite Falls

Hiking tip: Trying to boulder with slippers is not a good idea.

Lower Yosemite Falls

Approaching the 320′ waterfall.

Lower Yosemite Falls

Scrambling over the boulders to get a closer look.

Lower Yosemite Falls

View from the plunge pool at the bottom of the fall. Didn’t see anybody getting in the water for a quick dip. Not even sticking a big toe to check the water temperature.

Lower Yosemite Falls

We contoured to the left to get closer to the ribbon of water, which was significantly diminished from the thundering volume of water displayed during spring and early summer from the melting snow.

Lower Yosemite Falls

Standing in front of the lower fall. Out of sight was the 675′ Middle Cascades and the 1,430′ Upper Fall.

Lower Yosemite Falls

The Ahwahneechee people who originally inhabited the base of the falls believed that the pool was home to spirits of several witches called the Poloti. Not to be confused with water witching.

Lower Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Creek emerges from the base of the fall and flows into the nearby Merced River.

Lower Yosemite Falls

The most common rodent to be found in the park – the California ground squirrel.

Lower Yosemite Falls

The setting sun being filtered and colored by the haze and smoke in the air.

All pau

We left the park and checked into our Airbnb in Oakhurt and shopped at the nearby grocery store to fill up the pantry. Chayote is the next papaya.

Post hike meal at Kyoto Kafe. They gave us recycled wooden chopsticks. Recycled as in used. Don’t ask for less rice and more salad, they will just tell you to eat what’s on your plate. Other than that, the food was mainland quality and the service was zero tip standard.

Photos taken by Jasmin Nepomuceno, Mari Saito, Quan Haberstroh and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.