Hiking up to Yosemite Point

It is the day after Thanksgiving, and we decided to hike to Yosemite Point.  We are staying at Yosemite Lodge, room 3625.  Last night we had dinner with Les and Roberta and family, and it was a great big feast, of turkey, ham, pork roast, yam, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes & gravy, salad, cranberry sauce, rolls, deviled eggs, pumpkin, apple and pecan pies.  WOWOWOW, it was so much food and the company was so warm and friendly.  We even took hom a bunch for sandwiches for our hike today.

We were going to start at 7 30 but ended up finally getting going at 8 30.  Before we got to the first gate, we were hot enough to put some jackets off the side of the road.  It was suppose to be 12 degrees at 6 am, but warmed up a bit.  The hike was very strengneous and we got to the top at about 2 hours.  First there is a lot of switchbacks, and there are some really long uphill climbs, and it felt like about 45 degrees climb in some parts.  It was really warm on the switchbacks, felt like 60 degrees, must have been the sun and the granite hills heating up.  We hiked to the lookout, and the climb out to the top of the fall was really hairy.  There is one part that is about 18 inches wide, and the only hand rails is drilled into the hill part of the hill, and the drop off is on the other side and very steep. 

We then walked across the bridge, and went to Yosemite Point.  Total one way is 4.2 miles.  On top, we had our lunch from last night, and there were not many people, as a matter of fact, there was only one guy at the top with us.  Then, Kurtis and dad went swimming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yup, swimming in the freezing water, well, maybe only a quick dip.  The water had to be about 32 degrees, as there was lots of ice at the edge. 

We got down to the lodge about 2 PM, and there were still others climbing up.  So total time we were up at Yosemite Falls was 5 1/2 hours.  Then Kurtis and dad went swimming AGAIN, by the bridge, in front of the little church.  This swim was only about 1 minute long, too.  It was VERY cold.