Despite Basil’s back issues and Esther’s hip pains and sleepless night (thanks to Emma), we managed to make it to the top of Carlon Falls during our Yosemite Trip (#2) two weekends ago! I usually get a little bored while hiking but this particular trail is so beautiful – entirely encased in trees and follows the South Fork Tuolumne RIver. It’s a pretty easy hike (4.5 miles round-trip) with only one spot near the finish that gets a bit steep. There is a fork in the road near the end – make sure to follow the path going up or else you’ll end up bouldering like we did the first time.

Here’s the reward, Carlon Falls:

Water flow right now is pretty nuts but during late summer the waterfall is much more calm and you can actually swim at the base which is what I hope to do in August!

We always bring along some fishing poles to this trail because there is one spot that so far has always guaranteed us a sure catch (3 in a row) – I’m sure I just jinxed us for the next trip. We call this fish Jack because we joke that we’re probably just re-catching the same fish each time we come out here.

Lower Yosemite Falls
Another spot we like to check out in Yosemite is the Lower Yosemite Falls because it’s very little work with a huge payoff. It’s only a 1/2 mile stroll on pavement to the bottom of the falls which drops 400 feet from a rocky ledge on the north side of Yosemite Valley to the base below.

Here’s a peek:

All in all another very fun and satisfying escape to Yosemite. By the way, this trip we saw FOUR bears! Three separate sightings and one little baby cub.