Base of Upper Yosemite Falls

This is the base of the falls, above where Fritz and I were married almost 2 years ago. The hike to get to the top was about 4 hours uphill, and close to 3 going downhill, for a total of 7 miles of various switchbacks and some rather steep terrain. We started the hike at the base of the Lower Falls, directly across from the Yosemite Lodge. This is the first time that I ever made this hike. I especially wanted to get up to the top for my 35 birthday, if anything, to prove that I am not that far over the hill. What was surprising was the change in seasons we experienced as we went up the mountain. We started off in the dry, almost desert like sandy switchbacks and as we got higher in elevation, the weather started to change. It got to be a light layer of snow leftover from the winter, and then suddendly, as we got the the base of the Upper Falls, it was full blown snow, up to our knees in some areas. It wasn't really that cold, except for the actual snow, but Fritz seemed rather comfortable in his shorts. The falls actually form a cone of snow as the water collects at the base, which eventually melts and keeps going down to the Lower Falls. These falls are at about 3500 feet elevation and are the tallest waterfalls in the United States. I am so proud that we made it up, and grateful that we made it down in one piece, especially after Fritz spotted a bear at the base on the way back down. We must have looked too worn out to eat.