Groveland, California-Yosemite Lakes RV Resort

May 28-June 2, 2018

We spent this week in Yosemite at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort. Yosemite tops many people's favorites list and I am soon to find out why.

It was a LONG journey getting to the park down some narrow country roads. At one point, we came to a “Road Closed Ahead” sign and thought we were for sure in trouble because there was absolutely no place to turn around. There had not been a warning sign when we turned onto the road! Fortunately, there was no construction. Maybe it was because it was Memorial Day but whatever the reason, we were so relieved.

But we made it (after dark) and were ready for the days ahead! But before heading into the park, we had to say hello to our friends, the Royal family and hear about their RV adventure into Mexico. We have run into this family a few other times and it is always fun to catch up with them. This time they were on their way out and so they were able to give us a few recommendations.

Here are some of the highlights from each day:

Day 1 was a hike to Merced Grove to see a couple of sequoia trees

then a stop to take in some of the beautiful scenery along the main road through the park

Day 2 we hiked to Mirror Lake and took a rafting ride down the river.  The views of the waterfalls from the boat were awesome.

(One of the islands we were able to stop at during our rafting ride)

At Mirror Lake the kids waded in the water (lots of people swimming) and had so much fun.  The lake itself is mostly dry but there is still the creek

(See the reflection?)

Day 3 we actually left the park and went to Calaveras Big Tree State Park and hiked the self-guided trails in both the North and South Groves.  Both were very awesome and the South had some enormous sequoias.  It is so sad to read the stories of what happened to these ginormous trees.  Many were stripped of their bark so that they could be reconstructed elsewhere in the US as a spectacle.  

(This is a sugar pine cone.  The sequoia cones are actually quite small)

(Walking through a sequoia)

 We hiked the 5-mile trail to the Agassiz tree and it was so worth it.   

(The Palace Hotel tree was big)

(But the Agassiz tree was even bigger!)

Day 4 (back in Yosemite) we hiked up the Mist trail to Vernal Falls and then to Nevada Falls and then came back down the John Muir trail.  Took us 5.5 hours and it was NOT easy.  It was over 7 miles with a 1900 ft elevation gain.  But it was beautiful.  

(the trek up to Vervnal Falls)

(Vernal Falls)

(Nevada Falls on our way up)

(Top of Nevada Falls)

(View of Nevada Falls on the way down)

Day 5 We drove through the Tuolomne Meadows out to Mono Lake. Mono Lake was very cool with its Tufa formations.  It is a saltwater lake that is 2.5 time saltier than the sea.  It does not have any fish but it is certainly not dead.  The limestone "Tufa formations" grow only underwater as a result of calcium rich springs meeting carbonate water.  The chemical reaction produces calcium carbonate or limestone.  The reason we are able to see the formations is because in 1941 they began diverting water from the lake to nearby towns.  After years of fighting this, the diversions were stopped and restoration is in progress. But as you can see, the volume is significantly lower.

And the Meadows were absolutely gorgeous.  We did a short hike to Soda Springs.  

On our way to the Meadows, we did a hike to May Lake.  It was only 1.1 miles each way but had a pretty good elevation gain.  The lake was so pretty.  There was snow on the ground and the lake was still covered in ice.

  
We enjoyed our time in Yosemite very much.  This is definitely on my favorite's list!