Half Dome

This weekend I hiked Half Dome in Yosemite National Park with my friend Tim. Since it's really popular on weekends, we decided to beat the crowds by hiking it at night. We left Palo Alto a little before 8:00 p.m., left the Yosemite parking lot at midnight, and made it to the top around 5 a.m.

This was my first time to Yosemite, and I was really impressed. The towering granite cliffs, the powerful rushing rivers, the delicate tiny flowers all reminded me of God's love for us. I feel really blessed to have gone, and I have a feeling that I'll be back in the future.

As you can see, the sunrise and the hike down were both amazing. You can see more pictures in the gallery.

3:16 a.m.: Sign at the junction of the John Muir Trail and the Half Dome trail. We had already hike almost seven miles at this point.

5:18 a.m.: waiting for sunrise

6:11 a.m.: the sun starts to poke up above the mountains.

6:15 a.m.: first glimpse of the whole sun. It had been hiding behind Clouds Rest (and then clouds, ironically) since sunrise officially started at 5:45. (Levels adjusted with iPhoto.)

6:17 a.m.: taking in the beauty. (Also adjusted.)

6:42 a.m.: heading back down the cables that protect the last 800 vertical feet of the Half Dome route. (Note to self: get a sweet purple shirt like that.)

6:51 a.m.: Tim just about to the bottom of the cables.

11:25 a.m.: rainbow and lush vegetation along the Mist Trail at the base of 240-foot Vernal Fall. This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

11:26 a.m.: people on the Mist Trail. (Second note to self: make sure to take off shirt more often.)

11:29 a.m.: Vernal Fall.