Yosemite National Park and Sonoma, California

After two long years of quarantine and travel restrictions, we were delighted to return to our Ladies Trip tradition. With hesitancy about major international travel and potential covid related complications, we choose California for our trip. We picked Yosemite National Park and Sonoma to match our hobbies of being outside, hiking, spending time together and having a sip of wine.

We drove east, about four hours inland, with a quick stop for pizza and groceries on the way.  The highway switched to narrow two-lane windy roads as we worked our way into the mountainous region. The air became cooler and we pulled over a few times for pictures along the way. Our trip would include the sections of Hetch Hetchy, Mariposa Grove and Wawona and the classic Yosemite Valley. 

Hetch Hetchy

Our first hike was in Hetch Hetchy, in the northwestern part of the park. The reserve and dam serves the San Francisco water system. It was developed after the 1906 earthquake which destroyed the existing system. Upon entering the park, we first crossed the dam with the steep drop over to the stream below on the left and the large lake on the right. 

The well paved path creates a loop around the reservoir with some ups and downs along the trail. We turned back early, instead of making the full circuit. This section of the park closes early and all vehicles must exit overnight.

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

The next morning was drizzly and chilly as we traveled down to the southern part of Yosemite. Near Wawona, we left our minivan at the trailhead and hiked into the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. 

These sequoia trees are incredible. Today they are considered endangered, and ever increasingly so with the frequent wildfires and droughts on the west coast. There are only an estimated 80,000 remaining. 

These sequoia trees are incredible. Today they are considered endangered, and ever increasingly so with the frequent wildfires and droughts on the west coast. There are only an estimated 80,000 remaining. 

Some of these trees are large enough to walk or even drive through. Many have survived dozens of forest fires; causing them to have a blackened hollow inside. 

Mariposa Grove contains several “famous” trees. The “Grizzly Giant” is one of the oldest, estimated to be 2,000+ years old; and stands 210 ft (or 64 meters tall). The “Bachelor and Three Graces” are a set of four massive sequoias; and like most of the trees in this section, have intertwined root systems. And lastly, the Fallen Wawona tree, which attracted visitors a hundred years ago when visitors rode through the trunk in their horse and buggies. 

Our hike through the tallest of trees was beautiful. The park had fewer visitors as it was early in the season and a rainy day. The further we hiked from the trailhead the less crowds we saw. The hike out to the furthest sections of the park contained the incline; so on the return, as the rain turned to snowflakes, we had a more relaxing downhill slope. 

Our Cozy Cabin

While in Yosemite, we started a cozy AirBnb cabin in West Yosemite. From the parking spot up to the door, we climbed the 89 steps with our bags, grocery and wine for the week. Together we cooked meals, dined at the long wooden table and played Code-names by the electric fire. 

We started each morning with coffee and quiet reading while everyone woke up. Fortunately we’re all relatively early risers. After breakfast, we packed our daypacks and lunches, and set off for hiking the trails. Only one morning was a little chilly and complicated because the power went out. Nicole prepared coffee and toasted English muffins on the gas grill outside. I watched for bears. 

Yosemite Falls

We saved the biggest hike to Yosemite Falls for our last full day. The trailhead started near the main visitor center and near the campgrounds. This area was significantly more traveled by hikers, climbers, and other park visitors than our previous days. 

From the start, the trail ascended with frequent switchbacks. While mostly shade covered, we still had great views of the valley below us. At Columbia Point, the panorama opened up to view across the valley to the mighty Half Dome. This trail was an excellent choice for a sunny day for both the clear views and dry trail.

Past Columbia Point, we stopped for another snack break with a view of the Falls. We picked the best time of year to visit the falls. The spring snowmelt and runoff increases the water’s flow. 

After the falls, Eli and I turned back and started the slow descent. The trail was cutting too close to the drop off cliffs for my comfort. We made our way down while the others continued to the very top. Later they assured me that I wouldn’t have made it with all the “ledgey bits” as the trail continued. Good call.

We ended the challenging hike with a more relaxing loop around the visitor center and to the base of the falls. Back at the cabin, we sipped wine and did a major leg drain after such intense hikes.

On our last morning, we woke to snow flurries. Without wifi or a cell signal, it was tricky to get updated weather info. But as the snowfall got thicker, we decided it was best to pack up and drive down the mountains before we got snowed in. Yosemite typically has snowfall into the late spring and park rangers recommend snow tires or get off the roads.

Four hours later, after some very careful mountain snow driving, we made it out of the park and to an “In-n-Out” burger joint. Soon, we pulled into the historic arts and wine town of Sonoma, California.

In Sonoma, we spent two days exploring the town, dining and sampling local wines. Each tasting had several reds and whites with fancy descriptions. One red wine was described as having aromas of “strawberry compote and fresh leather.”  I’m still not sure about all the various tannins we sampled, but more importantly, the ladies had a few more lovely days together.