Day - 5, Panorama Trail

It was the summer solstice and the day of our big hike on the Panorama trail.  Historically our toughest hike ever for both distance and verticality. Before the day was done we would be very challenged.  In the end we would be on the valley floor you can see below. The hike starts at Glacier Point.  One of my favorite overlooks.  We took a one way bus from the valley floor to Glacier point.  The adventure was just beginning.

Looking back towards Yosemite Falls.  The actual Glacier point is the narrow stone ledge to the left.  2000+ feet strait down from there.

The Panorama trail is an amazing hike with spectacular views of the valley and up close opportunities with some big waterfalls.  I had done it once before.  Nine miles to the shuttle stop.  1200+ feet up and 4300+ feet down, much very steep, can really beat you up.

Constant dramatic views.

This picture gives a great view of the trail.  We will drop down to Illilouette Falls visible on the right hand side.  The the trail moves to the left along the drop off and over that hill to the upper falls on the left (Nevada Falls).  From their the trail drops the the drainage below the lower falls on the left (Vernal Falls).  Its possible to see parts of the trail zooming in on this picture.

The backside of Half Dome looks completely different.

Illilouette Falls.  I like the streak of rainbow 2/3s down the falls.

We stopped on the bank of the Illilouette creek and has a nice relaxing lunch.  

You can see a small falls to the left coming off the Glacier point side.

Climbing up towards Half Dome.

Diane loves the Panorama Trail!

It was getting later and the sun was coming off Yosemite Falls.

First glimpse of Nevada Falls below.

Such a cool trail.

Bridge above Nevada Falls.  "You Shall Not Pass".

The water was really raging over the falls.

The drop of the falls.  Sounded like thunder.

There is an observation area right at the brink of the falls.

Here you can appreciate the full falls.  

The generated mist spread over a large area.

The water was literally raining down in this part of the descent.

It was starting to get late in the day.  Had to make a hasty retreat.  But the going was slow.  Steep downhill was beating up diane's knees.

As we descended it bagan to get quite dark.  We only had a single flashlight.  Luckily, the last mile+ of the trail was paved making it easy (and safe) for walking in the dark.  In the end we were able to catch the next to last shuttle bus back to our car at almost 10pm.