Yosemite - Glacier Point and the Mariposa Groves

On Labor day we packed everything up while Elisabeth played with her friends.  We went first to see the famous Glacier Point.  Since there is limited parking then we had to wait an hour in the car before they let us go up to the point.  We stopped at Washburn Point first to check out the view before continuing onto Glacier Point. 

The view from Washburn Point.

Everyone we met along the way told us that Glacier Point could not be missed and they were right!!  You have an incredible view on the valley floor 3200 feet below, it’s so tiny that it looks like a miniature village!  Then looking out over the mountains there is a beautiful view of half dome and the mountains in the distance.  Half dome towers 4800 feet over the valley floor (8800 above sea level) and people climb up it with cables!!  We chilled out here for a while taking it all in before climbing back in the car to continue on to Mariposa Groves. 

A view on Half Dome in the distance.

Looking straight down into the valley.

Elisabeth and her smurf enjoying the view!

We drove by our campsite which was nothing spectacular and onto the historical village near the groves.  There was a covered bridge that brought us into an assembly of original buildings that were used in Yosemite before being relocated to this location for display.  Each building represented a different era of Yosemite’s existence.  Even if we couldn’t go inside the buildings it was fun to walk around. 

Antoine and Elisabeth in the old prison cell.

We then headed to one of the main attractions of Yosemite – the Mariposa Groves.  This area was protected by the state of California for its magnificent collection of giant sequoias long before Yosemite became a national park.  And for good reason!  These larger than life trees were being ravaged for their lumber before it became evident that they needed protection.  Today there are over 500 of these beautiful trees in this area of Yosemite.  We took the hike along the trails that wound through the groves leading to several mammoth trees donned with names.  We saw the famous Grizzly Giant that it 1800 years old and the California Tunnel Tree that was hollowed out long ago to let hikers walk through.  It was very cool! 

Elisabeth standing in front of an uprooted sequoia

Antoine and Elisabeth in front of one of the giants!!

The Grizzly Giant

The California Tunnel Tree

We went back to camp to get set up and get changed before heading to the Wawona Hotel to have dinner in their beautiful restaurant to celebrate our last night in Yosemite.  The restaurant was awesome!!  And the food was amazing!  We had a few beers with a hot artichoke dip as a starter followed by a bottle of wine and the prime rib steak!!  Elisabeth took a pot roast which she loved!  We had a great time and got back late to our little tent to crash before our long drive the next day to Los Angeles.

The beautiful Wawona Hotel!

All dolled up for dinner!