Hike to Moro Rock and Visit General Sherman Tree

After we hiked a bit at Crescent Meadows and seeing a bear, we decided to drive to Moro Rock, there are hiking/steps to go to the top of the rock.  Ranger said it's a bit to do the steps but if you can make it to the top, the vista views are breathtaking.  As you drive into the park you see Moro Rock looming overhead.  Let's do it!

The round dome is Moro Rock in the distance

At parking lot, getting ready to climb

Climbed 325 steps.  A lot of steps, then paved pathway, then more steps, then incline, then steps. We knew were getting close to the top because the path got narrower and narrower.  Wasn't windy at the top but can imagine on a windy day what it would be like.  And, on a busy day - how would you pass other people either coming up or down?  Just not a lot of room!  I knew my knee would be okay going up the steps and knew that coming down, stepping down would be a problem.  Took our time going up and even so much longer coming down.

First real view of steps

Not really steps - just cement incline.  Still not fun.

And on up.

My first view of the snow covered Sierra Nevada mountains from only about 60 steps up - WOW!!!
On up we went, stopping to catch our breath (even the really fit young people who were passing us were breathing very heavily, I did not fee bad).  Made it to the top.  So very glad we did.

At the top - that's Dave in the tan shirt

Way below somewhere is our campground

Spectacular!

Just amazing!

And then the steps down.  Oh my goodness, did my knee hurt.  And by then my left foot (from surgery 2 years before) was giving me trouble, I did not do well going down.  Few steps, rest, try to step down with the other leg (bad leg first was what I was taught but now both were hurting) but that was just as painful.  By the time I got to the bottom I was not doing well.

Down we went - notice how close to the edge?

By this time I am really hurting

Rested a bit in the car, had snacks, about 1/2 later we decided to drive to General Sherman's Tree, the largest tree in the world.  Even though it has stopped growing up, every year the tree grows enough bark equivalent to another big tree.  But was very disappointed.  This is the main attraction of the park and it was so touristy, a lot of people, was really turned off by it.  You have to park 1/2 mile from the tree, walk it in - stepping down over 300 feet, then you have to climb back up to the parking lot.

The view looking down the Sherman path to the tree - see the people?

Half way there to the tree

Da tree.

But we both felt that our walk in the forest earlier in the day was much more rewarding.  No people, had the forest to ourselves (and the bear), even though the trees were not as big, still very impressive.