Wapama Falls

See blips beginning on May 17 for the start of this trip to the Hetch Hetchy area in and around Yosemite National Park.

We all arose early. All but one of us breakfasted in our rooms; she drove to Yosemite Valley and had breakfast at the Awahnee hotel. All of our group are in their sixties and seventies and we had various goals for our hikes during the day, but fourteen of us drove into Yosemite through the Hetch Hetchy entrance, crossed the dam, and started up the trail toward Rancheria Falls.

Four women reached Rancheria Falls and made the round trip hike of thirteen and one half miles. Of these, three were over seventy and one was nearing that age. Two hiked an hour beyond Wapama Falls and back (about 7 miles). Four others (including me) went to Wapama and back (about 5 miles) and three had to turn back sooner. I am really proud of our entire group!

We were nearing Wapama Falls when Marilyn fell and broke her wrist. I went with her and another friend part way back down the trail until we met the one person in our group who had been part of a search and rescue team and was recently trained in first aide. Then Marilyn went back with the help of the other two while I retraced my steps and continued up the trail to Wapama Falls. These photos were taken there.

There is a series of wooden bridges where the trail passes the base of the falls and is sprayed by the falling water. I had been there once before when there was a lot more water and mist. The snow melt hasn't really begun yet, but there was enough to give us a refreshing shower.

Marilyn was taken to the clinic in Yosemite Valley where they took x-rays of her wrist and attempted to set the bones. She was back in time for dinner with us, but will have to see an orthopedic surgeon when she gets home to the Bay Area.