Waterfalls in August and advice for a wimp.

My wife and I will be in Yosemite valley at the end of Aug/early Sept for 4 days. Will the falls be running at all this time of year? If not what should we definitely see whilst we are there? I%26#39;m not very good with heights but would love to take some photographs from vantage points that are easily reached by gentle slopes. I%26#39;m fine at the top where I can carefully peep over a wall say but I would freeze on very steep steps. Which peaks will be accessible to me? Also will trainers be okay for gentle hiking? Finally is there any transport from the Valley to mono lake and is it worth a visit (I imagine it will be a few hours each way).

Thanks for any advice

Waterfalls in August and advice for a wimp.

funny you posted this because i am about to post a similar topic. A neighbor of mine said that the falls are mainly running april-may and dry up in june. I want to confirm that so check this site and we%26#39;ll see who gets some responses!

karyn

san diego ca

Waterfalls in August and advice for a wimp.

1. I don%26#39;t know if the falls will still be really running by September. I knows its been a very high water year, but that would be pushing it. However, Vernal Falls will have water in it for sure.

2. Hikes: Things get steep out of the valley real fast. (You%26#39;re climbing up, out of the valley.) However, you can definitely hike to the footbridge and see Vernal Falls. (1 1/2 miles) If you are afraid of steep steps, you can%26#39;t do the mist trail, but the John Muir trail will be a more comfortable way to get to the top of the falls.

b. See the Mariposa Sequoia grove.

3. Trainers should be okay. I see lots of people in sandals, though, and that is just plain stupid. A good way to get hurt.

4. Mono lake is very neat. Its a good 2 hour drive from the valley each way, I would guess. A beautiful 2 hour drive. Be sure to eat pie at the Tioga Pass resort.

Drive to Glacier Point. You will be able to see Vernal and Nevada falls which will still be flowing. Last week Yosemite and Bridal Veil were flowing, but getting thin.

I agrer with taking a trip up to Glacier Point Frmothere you can get some amazing vistas without having to climb anything! However, along the way is the Sentinel DOme trail- very easy (I think 1.5 miles each way??) We did it with our girls when they were little. Once at the top you will feel as though you are on top of the world! Trainers are fine for that one, too.

You%26#39;ll always want to see Yosemite and Bridal Veil Falls- it%26#39;s hard to miss them- but they%26#39;ll be pretty dry, esp. Yosemite. TAke the trail to the Vernal Falls lookout,as someone mentioned- I thin kyou%26#39;ll enjoy it.

And yes, taking a day to head out to Mono Lake, but also stopping along the way at Olmstead Point and Tuolumne Meadows, would be very worthwhile.

Thanks for the info guys. I forgot to mention that I won%26#39;t have a car whist in the valley. I%26#39;m staing at the Bug hostel and traveling in each day on the Yarts bus. I%26#39;ll try to make the stops on the way to Mono lake if the transport available allows.

What is the hike up to glacier point like? I read that that provides the best view of the valley and it wiuld be nice to achieve it on foot.

I%26#39;m just going to have to brave. I%26#39;ll let you know what trails I manage :)

Karyn, have a really great time... Even though the falls will be limited I%26#39;m sure there will be lots for us to see.... I can%26#39;t wait. My flight to San Francisco is tomorrow then I%26#39;m in the park after 6 days in the city :))

Thanks again all,

Jonathan

If you%26#39;re a wimp, you proabably won%26#39;t want to take the 4-mile trail up the side of the valley to Glacier Point. The good news is that there is a hiker%26#39;s bus that leaves regularly from Curry Village that can take you up to Glacier Point and the trailheads along the way, including Sentinel Dome.

Without a car, you should also take the Valley Floor tram tour, which leaves from Yosemite Lodge. You%26#39;ll gt to see all the major sights of the Valley Floor, including the spectaular Tunnel View/Inspiration Point.

The park service actually prefers that you leave your car behind, so you%26#39;ll find that the bus system will serve you well.

We just returned from Yosemite. Yosemite Falls is almost non-existent. Bridalveil Falls is thin but still beautiful. Vernal %26amp; Nevada Falls are very full. You can get a great shot of them from Glacier Point. Also a great ';eye-level'; shot of Half Dome. It%26#39;s an easy uphill walk from the parking lot so it shouldn%26#39;t be too bad for you. The site of looking over the rail to the valley floor might be too much for you though, but do it anyway! You should definitely take the tram tour to the giant redwoods at the Mariposa Grove. It was $16 per person but well worth it. It%26#39;s a little over an hour and saves a lot of uphill hiking to see the same trees. Since you won%26#39;t have a vehicle the free Valley Shuttle will be the only way for you to get around. I believe you can get on and off at any point that it stops. The only problem is the wait for the next one which is probably 20-30 min apart. That can eat up a lot of your time so plan ahead. Also be sure to go the the ';tunnel view'; stop. Here you can get a great picture of El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Falls. It%26#39;s an easy walk to the base of Yosemite Falls if there%26#39;s any water left. I think the greatest picture spot is close to the road--you can see both sections and with the trees on each side it makes a great picture! Have a good trip!