Yosemite and Dinkey Creek
We left Mammoth around 9am heading north on the 395, from there we headed up Tioga road into Yosemite National Park. Our plan was to make it to Dinkey Creek no later than 7pm, this would enable a couple hours of time in Yosemite. I asked my wife what one spot she would like to see in Yosemite and she chose Bridal Falls... I had a feeling that it wouldn't be flowing with all its grander this late in the summer, but did that really matter? Yosemite is just a gem for our nation, I think that we'll need at least a week if not more to truly take in all that it has to offer. We were left speechless by all of its beauty, passing through for just a couple of hours was just not fair for us, we will return soon enough.
Just off of Tioga pass rd. Make sure you get gas before heading into Yosemite. This pic does not do this waterfall or gorge justice.
There were creeks and streams everywhere.
Bridal Falls was a nice stop for lunch with a short hike to the falls... it was just misting.
We left Yosemite around 2 in the afternoon making our way to
Dinkey Creek in the Sierra National Forrest along some very windy country roads. Not being able to get a traveling speed over 50, due to miles and miles of S turns was leaving us concerned that we would be setting up camp at dark. In hindsight we should have allowed my travel time, but until you actually take the drive it can be difficult estimating how long the drive will actually be. Thankfully my wife and boys were understanding and not driving me too crazy with complaining on how long it was taking to get there. We made it to camp ~45 minutes later than expected, not too bad. Our first thought once at our camp site was.... what's up with all these wasps? The amount of wasps flying around was insane. A fellow camper came by and gave us a rundown on the wasps. He said, they wont sting if you leave them alone and that once night comes along they leave. My concern was for our boys getting stung and having serious reactions, the amount of wasps out here was just crazy. As my wife and boys adjusted to life with wasps, I started setting up camp. Our camp site was very large and spacious with lots of open space between us and the next camp site. Wow its very nice here... lets forget about the wasps.
Our spot was 114 on J loop. Conveniently located near Honeymoon and the Slicks pools.
The next two days were spent playing in the water pools and exploring the area... this was truly natures playground for our boys. Just as early native american children must have played... enjoying themselves all day long, our boys were able to do the same. From morning to early evening we just stayed and played on the granite slides and pools. All day enjoyment... it was truly priceless, I'm positive that my boys have had the most fun here than any where else in there lives. As parents, I don't think we've ever enjoyed ourselves more than right here as well.
The Slicks hold up to there name. That mossy granite will wipe you out... use extreme caution when crossing and walking along the water ways. We all took at least one good spill while we were there. Thankfully no broken bones.
With high's in the low 90's it was so easy for the wife and I to just lounge around pool side.
Enjoy the video
At Honeymoon pool there is a cliff jump with a height of ~24-28ft. For the life of me I couldn't get my wife to jump. :sombrero:
Looking down creek towards Honey moon pool.
Looking down at natures water slides. It's snack time.
Looking up creek past The Slicks.
Never pass up an opportunity to photograph your wife.
But of course the wasps were there to greet us on our arrival back to camp each day.
Delicious dinners... just had to be careful not to swallow any wasps.
Made an improvised trap to catch and distract those wasps, felt bad the next morning as my three traps were completely full and the wasps were still out in full force. :Wow1:
As our grandest adventure came to an end, we could hardly believe that in just 5 days we were able to experience so much. Who could ever forget the crossing of South Fork Kern Rivers, driving out of Monache Meadows and down 9 mile road at night, Laurel Lakes with that crazy 3 point turn and jumping into the lake for a quick swim, Tioga drive going into Yosemite... becoming one with overdrive and second gear to maintain speed, and most of all Dinkey Creek with the wasps and granite water slides. When we first bought the LC we were hesitant driving anywhere over a couple hundred miles over fear of our boys "loosing it" from being cooped up in there seats, They despised driving any long distance. Slowly we've been able to tackle these barriers and now we've completed our furthest and longest trip as a family. I remember when they wanted to just camp at a park down the street so we didn't have to drive...too funny.
