Trip report: North Rim of Yosemite Valley

I'm always especially excited when May arrives in the Sierra. Water is plentiful on trail and off, snow still lays on the high peaks to add drama to the landscape, and I can ditch my winter gear list and anticipate four lovely months of hiking in skirts and sandals under the warm Sierra sun. Don't get me wrong: I enjoy winter backpacking. But I'm a hot-weather girl through and through, and for me, even the beautiful hush of the snow-covered wilderness can't compete with hot days at high elevation.

Yosemite's North Rim Trail is a popular trail. Dayhikers, backpackers, and El Cap climbers and their supporters are common sights on this route. It's a good early season trip, however, because it's relatively low elevation and it gives you a bit of a physical workout without straining you beyond what winter muscles may be capable of. And if you enjoy appreciating Yosemite Valley landmarks, well, this trail will show them to you like no other.

Here's my trip report.

~Nancy