Tag: Tours

Good planning: Good planning equals good travel.

Fellow hiker Daniil enjoying a magnificent view of Yosemite valley due to good planning by our guide, Rich.

Planning. Good planning. It’s essential to an enjoyable travel experience. But what does it look like? Summiting a mountain top? A list of attributes? Checked boxes? A check list? A person? I would have to say it could be any and all of these.

There is a saying: “no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy.” Travel planning is not dissimilar. It might only be minor changes such as a delay in getting a rental car. It might mean switching days you plan to be in locations due to weather or other parties you plan to travel with have been delayed. It might mean ending up at a different location or trail than you expected.

Planning is a road map for successful travel.

Myself reviewing a map to confirm location and features of my intended route on a recent bike ride.

Here are a few elements to consider for planning. Most may seem pretty basic, but I’ve seen numerous people ill-prepared on trips because of lack of basic planning skills or considerations.

Goals. What is it that you are traveling for? What do you want to do or see? Or, not do or see, for that matter.

Timetable. How long. Where. Mapping it out can not only help you stay on track but give you options and alternatives if/when things pan out differently than you planned.

Resources. Costs. Things you need. Packing/ activity gear list. It’s good to have basic list of travel items and travel expenses. Everyone is a little different, but having a baseline is good, especially if you have multiple things going on and can only do a little packing at a time. And if there are multiple desired activities, but you have a limited budget for expenses.

Leg work. Prep activities. That could be anything from reservations to an exercise plan or learning a language. What you put in directly impacts what you get out. As they say, “knowledge is power.” Or, “know before you go.” The more you know and handle up front, the better situated you will be. You will be preventing problems by anticipating and avoiding them.

Contingencies. Think of some common problems for your travel and some that might be specific to you destination and/or activities. Weather delays. Food borne illness. Self rescue. Getting robbed. Losing luggage. Getting lost. Think of the scenario and what you will need to do or have in place, so if it does happen you can overcome the problem more easily. Plan a few alternative routes, activities, options. Even mentally walking through various scenarios is helpful. When I travel alone, I typically have a few alternate plans for every larger activity or phase of travel. Or, I have a skill set that addresses the potential problem– first aid, map reading skills. And, yes, I’ve sometimes had to use plan “C” or “D”. It saves time and energy to think ahead.

Flexibility. This is very important. I cannot stress how important this mindset is. I’ve seen folks shut down for all intents and purposes because of one relatively minor thing changing in their plan. I’ve also seen folks angry or panicked if something out of their control or unanticipated happened. Travel, especially with others, is some give and take. Be flexible not just with plans, but people. The best tours I’ve been on have been run by folks who are flexible. If solo, your trip will go better if you are flexible with local customs and culture and people.

Competency. When traveling with a group or part of a tour, it’s nice to have others handle the booking and logistics of travel, but as good as the best are, don’t rely on every minute detail to be handled for you, especially if this is a first time traveling with a particular group or guide or touring company. Be sure you know enough to handle basic travel, if there should be any problems.

Our guide Rich, reviewing and pointing out features on a trail map for Bryce Canyon.

These are basic categories to consider. What is essential in your planning?

Falling for the falls: Mist trail Yosemite

DeeDee, a fellow hiker,ahead of me on the trail. Vernal falls is in the shadow to the left.

The Mist trail is a great pick for a day hike in the Yosemite valley area. While the trailhead is paved and was somewhat crowded, even at relatively early hours (in part because it links up to the immensely popular Half dome trailhead) it is well worth the effort to keep heading on up the trail and allow the crowds to thin out. The views only get better as you climb.

There are several sections of switchbacks and stairs to climb along the way. The trail both follows and crosses the Merced river as it climbs from the valley floor. I can only imagine how much effort went into creating the trail and how much continues to go in to it in maintenance.

We began early to avoid large number of hikers on the trail but even shortly after the park gates were officially open, it was difficult to find parking and we walked from the campground to the trail head.

As we followed the trail, the crowds began to thin some at the first footbridge and then a turn in the trail which affords a view of Illilouette gorge and sometimes the falls of the same name. The view of the falls was not ideal, but it is still a pretty view. If you plan on taking pictures of this area, you might want to come early or late as the midday sun can washout the light colored stone cliffs and rocky faced of the gorge.

The trail continues upward with the ground beginning to fall away steeply on the right. The path is wide and still paved with asphalt at this point. But that eventually gives way to dirt and rock and stone steps.

You cross the Merced River on another footbridge which provides a view of Vernal falls. It’s not a great angle and at the time of our visit, somewhat obscured by trees. To really see a view of the falls worthy to hold a place in memory you must continue along and upward on steps. The mist from the falls covers the trail here making it a little slippery if you don’t pay attention. That’s where the trail gets its name from.

If you are lucky and arrive at the falls on a clear day and the sun is just right, you might get a rainbow like we did.

Myself and guide Richard heading up the trail at Vernal falls, one of several waterfall views visible along the Mist trail.

The steps follow the right side of the watercourse and gorge wall. This is a spot for lots of good pictures. The mist becomes so thick at times it is almost like a fog. The steps lead up and you get a continued view of the falls right up to the cliff it falls over. We spent a good bit of time here just enjoying the beauty of the falls and getting some good pictures to capture the almost magical rainbow.

The trail continues to climb up the cliff face and allows a view from the top of the falls down into the cut gorge below. The water above the fall can be fast and strong, and, therefore, dangerous. It’s the section above the falls where people are hurt or even die so — needless to say — exercise caution near the water.

Just upstream from the falls is a section called the white apron and here the water is often white as it slides quickly over the solid rock bed of the river. White apron is a good description. And again it’s a good place to snap a picture or two while you watch your step.

The steps below the falls looked like something out of Middle Earth, and, in terms of being photogenic, this spot certainly is. So take your time and enjoy.

Another shot of DeeDee taking on the myriad of steps at Vernal falls.

If you continue on to Nevada Falls (which I heartily recommend), the views only get better. The view into the valley and of those falls are spectacular. Keep in mind that you will be doing more climbing and following switchbacks among large boulders and walking over uneven ground covered in tree roots stones. The more effort you put in the greater the reward on this trail.