At the Airbnb

 What a great place to call 'home' for the few days that we enjoy some hikes, move Mark and Marta's car to where they can collect it when they return at the trailhead from the High Sierra Trail.  

What a wonderful location and such a great porch to enjoy in the mornings and evenings - at least when it isn't too hot. 

Sequoia Grove

 Given all the risks of wildfire in the area, it is amazing that the sequoias have survived for so long.  We did see some signs of past fire damage, and the ability of these magnificent trees to survive for centuries, even millennia. 

Wow, those are some big, magnificent trees.

A Nice Hike

 Rather than going on the same trail as the backpackers, we brought the cars back toward the campground, and it looked like a nice trail heading up to a ridge (and eventually to a couple of lakes.. .though we didn't expect to get that far. 

Beautiful wildflowers along the trail.

Let's just say that some of us are better at balancing on the log for a scenic photo than others.

Backpackers Depart

We woke up to a beautiful morning and prepared to get ready to go drop off the backpackers.

Some are a bit jealous that we won't be able to go on this epic trip.

Some final selfies.

The backpackers at the trailhead.  Beautiful morning to get started, complete with a bit of drama as someone was looking for a lost llama, which had been scared away by a bear in the night.

Here is the beginning of a very, very long trail. All the best!
 

At the Campsite

 We did find quite that our campsite was definitely quite nice and a good fit for what will work for us. Not surprisingly, during the weekday, it was quite empty with lots of extra places.  That said, can't take a risk and not have a site close enough to hit the trail for the backpack trip. 

A quite nice, spacious campground for sure.  The camp host was quite knowledgeable and helpful in giving us details and updates on the dry weather.  There was not any water available, even for filtering given how dry everything was.

Wait!? Who is going on the trip?

I do love this shot.

General Grant Grove

 Before heading to the campsite, we stopped at the General Grant grove, seeing the General Grant tree and a grove of impressively large trees. 

Nice to also have a very short hike while we were not far away - and after a chance to stop in at the Ranger's Station for Mark and crew to get some information and trail updates, including where water might be accessible. 

And a bit of information about the General Grant Tree.  Let's just say, yep, it's big!

Heading to King's Canyon

 On the way to King's Canyon and Sequoia, we first took a little detour to check out mom's Airbnb, which sure looks like it will work well!

No doubt, pretty impressive to get such a location - and benefit (by price) by having it just starting on the market.  Looks like it will be a great fit. 

We did enjoy a delightful lunch on the road heading up into the park.  Some good food and good conversations.

Curry Village and Goodbye Yosemite

 It was a relatively short, but really spectacular chance to spend a bit of time on the valley floor of Yosemite.  We had to head back to the Central Valley area to further preparations for the epic backpack trip. 

So it was goodbye to Curry Village and the tent cabins where we had stayed (including with the too loud neighbors, which always makes things a bit of a challenge).  Many thanks to grandma for her hospitality and arrangements to make it all possible. 

More big stone!  Always stunning to get some sights of El Capitan and the wide meadows that span the impressive valley. 

Another stop at Yosemite's Tunnel View, and getting some last glimpses of stunning beauty.