Ever since going on a camping trip in Yosemite National Park last year, Hannah, her boyfriend Tristan Bailey, and a couple of other friends have wanted to climb the Cable Route to the summit of Half Dome.
In January of this year they put in for permits and Bob threw his name in to help their chances of drawing one. As it turned out, Bob drew the only permit for a group of six to climb on August 19th. Plans were put together but for a number of reasons only Bob, Hannah and Tristan were able to go.
We left around noon on the 18th for the two hour drive from Carson City to the east entrance of Yosemite near Lee Vining, California. This gave us plenty of time to visit some of the beautiful Yosemite High Country and stage ourselves to leave early in the morning of the 19th to start our adventure. In part we also wanted to use this time to check conditions in the park as the smoke from so many devastating fires in the Sierra's created some question whether it would be wise to go at all. As it turned out conditions weren't too bad and we decided to go forward with our plans.
This picture was taken just inside the park at the east entrance. We were so glad to be able to get out of the smoke that was so much thicker in Carson City.
Loving the clear-er skies of the Yosemite High Country.
Dad and daughter at Olmsted Point with Half Dome in the distance.
Half Dome as seen from Olmsted Point.
Looking east to Tenaya Lake from Olmsted Point. The last time Bob hiked the Cable Route was with his friends Jim Sundali and Darryl Seale. On that hike they started at Tenaya, went up over Clouds Rest, hiked along the John Muir Trail to Half Dome, climbed the Cable Route and made their way down to Yosemite Valley where Lisa and the kids picked them up. That was a very big, 20+ mile day.
Enjoying dinner at Nicely's restaurant in Lee Vining before the big day.
A panoramic picture taken from near Clark Point on the John Muir trail. The view includes Half Dome, Mount Broderick, Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls. What a spectacular place.
Hannah and Tristan making their way through a tunnel of trees.
The hiking guys.
Hiking along the "Ice Fall" section of the John Muir trail near Nevada Falls.
All smiles near the base of Half Dome. It was a great to have some downtime after a very busy summer.
Up until this point the smoke conditions weren't too bad, but they started getting worse and we decided not to go the last half-mile or so up the cable route to the summit. This was a hard decision to make, but with the route becoming crowded and a new wave of smoke compromising the views (much less being really unhealthy) we decided it was best to turn around.
So you know, the "dehazing" feature on Adobe's image software made things look much better than they were. Click here to see what an "untouched" image looks like.
Hannah and Tristan enjoying the sights and a wonderful time together. This was their first time on the trail to Half Dome and they have every intention of coming back when conditions are better.
Beautiful Nevada Falls
Bob having a wonderful break away from work in this beautiful place with Hannah and Tristan.
Tristan and Hannah at the top of Vernal Falls. Soon they will be starting their Junior year of college and were very happy to have a great day together before the semester kicked off.
Tristan and Bob making their way down the steep steps of the Mist Trail.
The trail construction here is amazing and dates back to the 1930's when it was built by the WPA. An interesting piece of history right under our feet.
Hannah and Tristan making their way down the Mist Trail.
Dad and daughter near the base of Vernal Falls. The flow is low this year so there wasn't a lot of "mist" on the Mist Trail.
Hannah all smiles near the end of a wonderful 15 mile hike.
Dad not quite as expressive, but having a great day too.