We decided to give Yosemite Village another try despite our misgivings regarding too many people and too much traffic. For once we were out of the MH early and got into the Village around 9:30 am. Good move on our part because it wasn’t too crowded. We opted to try the Valley Shuttle to the visitor center.
Inside the center we watched a video presentation and toured the museum.
After completing the museum we opted to check out the Ahwahnee Hotel reported to be quite elegant but rustic. Looking at the shuttle map was frustrating. We could see the stop for the hotel but could not decipher which bus to take. No mention of the Ahwahnee on the shuttle stop signs.The shuttle map provided didn’t match the maps posted at the pick up/drop off sites. Not all stops were listed so it was anyone’s guess which bus to take so we hopped a bus and asked . Two bus changes later (without signs) we were at the Ahwahnee Hotel.
Because the hotel was behind tall walls and surrounded by trees it was difficult to get a good outside shot.
I wanted to stay and have lunch in the dining room so after some debate Ron agreed. The dining room was exceptional and great to look at . While standing in line waiting for a table we struck up a conversation with two women who both had ties to Massachusetts. Both were retired nurses and one had gone to Faulkner Hospital School of Nursing while the other had relatives that live in Billerica (Ron’s sister lives in Billerica). We sat at the same table for lunch and needless to say the three of us had nursing war stories to tell while Ron sat by listening patiently. LOL
Lunch was quite good although very expensive at $17.00 for a sandwich. Total bill $50.00 dollars for two sandwiches and two glasses of ice tea. Reminded us of the lunch we had at the diner in Times Square in NYC.
After a very enjoyable lunch we said farewell to Jean and Jessie. We decided to skip the shuttle and chose to walk back to the day parking area. The traffic and congestion were in full swing so we got out of the Village/Valley.
Our next stop was Hetch Hetchy Valley, hidden in Yosemite’s National Park’s Northwest corner. Within the valley is the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and O’Shaughnessy Dam. Controversy surrounded the building of the dam to supply water to the ever growing population of San Francisco. The goal was to leave the valley untouched and pristine. But after the devastating earthquake of 1906 and the search for an adequate water supply for SF public sympathy took over and Congress passed The Raker Act in1913 authorizing the construction of a dam in the Hetch Hetchy Valley.
The dam was completed in 1923 and the final phase in 1938. Today the 117 billion gallon reservoir supplies pristine drinking water to 2.4 million Bay Area residents and industrial users. It also supplies hydro-electric power generated by two plants downstream. The reservoir is 8 miles long and is the single largest body of water within the park.
There were two waterfalls accessible by trail. The first was 1.5 miles away the second 3 miles away. I was not up to a three mile one-way hike –or so I thought. Off we went on our hike. The trail was uneven, sometimes steep in places but the views of the surrounding topography were magnificent.
We reached the first waterfall and it was quite lovely. Time to turn around , right Ron. OH NO!! We will be hiking to the second waterfall another 1.5 miles. I probably didn’t mention that the trail to the second waterfall was closed because of high water.
We continued to hike, stopping to talk to several other hikers who told us to keep going it was only another mile. Five sets of hikers later it was still only another mile. Very, very, very, long mile indeed.
We arrived at the bridge with yellow tape across but were told by the other hikers to “just cross it”. Sooooo, we did.
We were told that a ranger was guarding the entrance to the falls area but would escort you down to see the falls.
The Ranger told us that the reason the falls area is being guarded 24/7 from both entrances was because two Doctors were swept away and killed one month ago. The water was running so heavy and fast it flooded over the walk way. For some reason these two guys thought they could get across against all the power of the water. One was found in the reservoir but other has not been found yet. They think he is stuck in the rocks.
To get to see the above view of the falls we had to walk down over 100 steps and then back up. WHEW!!! That was a big job. But we did it and then it was a three mile hike back to the car.
More great scenery along our hike.
Another great day in Yosemite with perfect weather and fantastic views. Feet were a little sore but well worth the hike.
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