Day 12 - South Lake Tahoe

Took a little hike this morning to the top of Yosemite Falls (just about 3000' gain in 3.2 miles - but you have to walk a mile to get to the trailhead, so it's actually 4.2 or so). I started before 7:00 and thus was in the shade most of the way, and I still sweated profusely from the heat.

Here's the view halfway up (or so). This waterfall drops more than 1000'.



And the view from the top:

What was that you said about playing around the tops of waterfalls, Mom? Trust me, I didn't go down to the dangerous portion.

I've now driven north to Tahoe, obviously from the title of the post. I was three nights in the Yosemite area. It had been five days since I filled my gas tank. Back on the southbound portion, I was filling my tank maybe twice a day. Felt good to drive again. I took a sideroad (highway 89, if you're keeping score) instead of US 395, because it is curvier.

Here's the stateline between California and Nevada:

Note the casino.

And now we delve into the distant past to show some photos. Two or three days ago, as I arrived in the Yosemite area, I stopped by Mono Lake, which has some odd salt-and-springs-created rock features.


Remember how I climbed Clouds Rest for the best view in the park? Here's one-tenth of that view:


Yesterday, down in the valley, here's a view looking up at the same falls as above:


I've hiked 40 miles in the past five days, most of that with a full pack. I was planning on doing another overnight backpacking trip tomorrow, but I just might pass. Am I lazy or just ready to move on?