The English language doesn't contain the adjectives to describe Yosemite.
Amazing, astonishing, astounding. Daring, dazzling, dramatic. Not even close. Magnificat, marvelous, miraculous. Spectacular, stunning, stupendous. It's much more.
It's breath taking, awe inspiring, epic. Every sight a wondrous picture, around every bend another wondrous sight.
We drove in from Mariposa beside the Merced River, feed by the snow melt from the National Park and rushing over countless rapids on its way down the mountain. From the park entrance on we drove surrounded by snow capped peaks, cascading waterfalls, the flowing river and the sheer walls of cliffs that dropped from mountain summit to valley floor. From the day car park we walked to the visitor centre to find out how best to spend our limited time. It had to be Yosemite Falls. A three tiered cascade that roared down the mountains cliff face, floated into curtains of mist and collected in pools ready to feed the falls next tier. We did an easy walk in to see the lowest section of the falls first and after taking photos headed off to climb a 1000ft up the mountain to get the best few of the valley and a spectacular view of the falls upper tier. The path began with more than 60 switchbacks that zigzagged up the steep face of the mountain. Photo stops were often and necessary as the walk was difficult and strenuous. The view from Columbus Rock afforded a panorama that encompassed both east and west arms of the valley below. It took another 20 mins to climb to the viewing spot for the falls. The scenery was unbelievably beautiful. We ate our lunch watching the patterns the water created as it fell to the tier below. It was a hell of a climb but rewarded in spades. For rest of the day we drove from vantage point to vantage point, waterfall to waterfall, cliff face to snow covered mountain. We really picked the best time of year to see Yosemite in all it's splendour and the weather was perfect.
On the drive home, just outside the park, the mountainside were painted orange by California poppies growing wild. We stopped to take photos and asked a local lady if they were poppies and she told us they did't often flower on mass like this. So we came for one day and the time of year was perfect, the weather was perfect and the poppies put on a show. What an incredible day.