- Continue to central Yosemite Valley
- Photographing the famous granite monolites El Capitan and Half Dome
- Short hike to the almost dried up Bridalveil Falls
- Visiting the visitor center including watching a documentary film
- Early dinner
- Enjoy the sunset over the valley from Glacier Point
As expected, the night here in the mountains was cold, but we are well equipped and are now used to it. Our first day in Yosemite National Park begins in bright sunshine with the journey to the world-famous valley. The view into the valley with the impressive granite monolites is one of the typical postcard subjects of North America. The deciduous trees of the Sierra Nevada now present themselves in the most beautiful autumn colors. The steep rock face of the El Capitan is truly impressive. For extreme mountaineers, the wall presents a similar challenge to the Eiger north face.
The striking one towers further down the valley Half dome the surrounding rocks. There are also several campgrounds, lodges, visitor centers and that Curry Village. Unfortunately, all of the large waterfalls have either dried up completely or turned into a trickle. For the Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls depending on the season, this is somewhat normal, but even that Bridalveil Falls have almost disappeared, is due to the great drought. Thus, the park has lost some of its greatest attractions. After all, nothing can be seen of the fires that raged in the park just a few weeks ago. We still march the short distance to the Bridalveil Falls lookout point. It must be a real spectacle in spring and early summer.
We visit that Visitors Center for more information about the campground situation and hikes in the valley. Fortunately for us, the weekend is just over and the main season has been over for some time, so there are still enough campsites available here in the valley. Next door we'll see the excellent one documentary to the park. Here we also learn that Yosemite - although not the first - the Birthplace of the national park idea was. Somehow aptly and typically American, a park brochure describes it: "Preserving natural wealth through national parks is possibly America's most remarkable contribution to the spiritual wealth of humanity." Then we drive to the campground and prepare our early dinner.
After all, we want to go up to the Glacier Point. After a good hour's drive we reach the well-visited place. Here you have a truly spectacular view of the valley below. We watch the shadow slowly climb the flank of Half Dome. The unique atmosphere is only accentuated by the colored sky. In the dark we drive back to the campground where after a long time again To wash is on the program. Finally we go into the shower and then into the tent.
