October 1, 2015 – Rain, 60 degrees
Miles Today: 46
Miles to Date: 7,904
States to Date: 25
Yosemite Valley is perfect to see on a bicycle. After a breakfast among ‘townies’ who cobble together a living as climbing guides, I spent the morning rolling through the valley and stopping at the sights. Perspectives changed as the sky went from rain to clouds to patchy sun. I took the Valley Loop Trail to Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Bridal Veil Falls.
Solid clouds formed to the east, so I decided pedal through them before they entered the park. Eight miles of steep downgrade in heavy, windless rain. More water splashed off the rocky cliffs than I saw at the signature falls. At the 8% grades, I stiff legged by right heel on the pavement through streams washing across the pavement. I pulled into El Portal Market to dry off. Their coffee stilled my shakes; their chicken salad filled my belly. Other folks stopped by to chat and recounted that our rain was snow, stranding travelers, on Tioga Pass. With my usual luck, I managed to cross the Sierras one day ahead of winter.
By three the weather cleared and I continued on to Midpines where I had a tent cabin reserved at Yosemite Bug Hostel, a very hospitable place with cozy cabins, great showers and tasty coconut squash soup to kick off a delicious dinner.
The north wall of the canyon.
Along the Yosemite Loop Trail
El Capitan’s long face.
Looking north up the valley floor
El Capitan through trees. / Bridal Veil Falls
Beyond the park, heading towards Midpines
The oldest rocks in the Yosemite Valley
The Awkward Pose 