Today was to feature some actual exercise as we had planned to walk to Vernal Falls and possibly onto Nevada Falls. However, by this time it was absolutely baking, and the trek to the base of the falls, although short, was mostly uphill. When we got there the extreme lack of river water made any further walking rather pointless (I.e. no falls to be seen), so we headed back to the carpark for the traditional lunch stop. We did notice that there was a forest fire starting just behind Half Dome.
Although we had made good progress, we still had much to do if we were to make our chosen campsite in good time, so we cracked on down the valley - pausing only to gawp at some dots that turned out to be climbers on the sheer rock face of towering El Capitan - and headed on up to Glacier Point.
This gave us the best views of the day, spectacular panoramas of numerous peaks and domes, and also the now raging fire spreading throughout the valley, and being attended to by a seemingly-insignificant plane and chopper.
Quickly we made our way out of the park and amazingly got to the campsite by 6. Unfortunately, reception closed at 5 but we could pick a pitch, although sadly not use the wifi (we sorted this in the morning).
Off to Sequoia NP tomorrow then we start the journey to Vegas!
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