We started the day gazing into the valley from Glacier Point.
The sheer beauty of the golden valley floor spread like butter across the
expanse of Yosemite. We then shifted our focus to Half Dome rising to almost a
mile high and finally looked in awe at the astounding power of three waterfalls
cascading off the rocky outcroppings around us. I realized atop this great overlook
that nature does not need special attractions like Yosemite Falls or Half Dome to
be beautiful, it just needs to be wild and undamaged to release its true
beauty.
After gazing
for a while our small group of seven people including myself descended into the
canyon. On the way down almost immediately we crossed over a small stream
littered with Sugar Pine cones some over a foot in length and almost five
inches in diameter. These cones were some of the biggest I have ever seen and
were almost their own wonder of Yosemite. After exploring the creek for a bit
we headed deeper into unexplored territory only to arrive at the first of three
waterfalls we would set eyes upon. This one, carved out of Granite, was
extremely fast and also highly dangerous.
A little
while after that our group arrived at an outcropping overlooking the valley and
Half Dome. The outcropping had a large cliff on one side and a hill on the
other. This was a perfect place to rest our eyes upon the wonders of Yosemite.
The valley was beautiful. I could see the mist of a nearby waterfall reflecting
the sun and creating a shimmer over the valley filtering out the stores and
campsites, this bringing me back to what John Muir must have seen when he first
gazed upon the valley at this point.
Soon after
we were done resting we encountered a Western Rattlesnake basking in the light
and warmth of the trail. This being the fourth Rattler we encountered in
Yosemite, I sort of overcame my lifelong fear of rattlesnakes. I realized that
we’re all in it together and the snakes mean no harm to humans by warning us with
rattles they would not otherwise use. I sort of also realized that people can
compare rattlesnakes and nature because some people are afraid of nature
because of fires, storms, floods, and so on, but these natural occurrences are
really just warning signs telling us not to get over-confident and carried
away.
After coming
to this realization, we headed down the trail entering a forest of large
Cedars. When we were walking through this grove, the trees like parents of the
forest floor blanketing mother earth herself, I saw how nature works. By creating a canopy so the lush floor can
survive and many an animal can replenish themselves with the nutritious plants
then release fertilizer for the trees starting the cycle over again, becomes
just one harmonious micro-climate of the many throughout Yosemite.
We soon
sauntered out of this climate and came to the main waterfall; here we could
watch the mighty forces of nature cascade over a large cliff down to a tussling
boneyard below. We ate lunch and headed down to where the real fun began, the
rocky stair cased descent; the final stretch to the valley floor.
Descending
through the rocks and boulders we finally reached the top of yet another waterfall,
we could see the last part of the path which was a rocky staircase etched into
the mountain side giving off a misty green and gray contrast. The path was
covered in mist from the waterfall and a rainbow was nestled between the waterfall
and cliff. This was by far the most intriguingly majestic staircase I had ever
seen and the descent reflected its awesomeness.
This hike
and trip opened up a new side of me. I realized that life is short and to live
every moment to its full potential, and with that I realized that it’s not the
destination but the journey along that way the counts. After realizing this I
think I will never have to endure as much stress as I have in years past and I
will always live every day like it’s my last.
