On our way back to the Valley we stopped at this lookout to get a final view of Half Dome before attempting to reach its summit on the following day. I felt excited and a little nervous for the upcoming challenge. Photo: Rulo Ramos
Camera Roll: A 5-Day Hiking Trip to Yosemite National Park and the Top of Half Dome
For my 43rd birthday, my wife gave me the gift of a lifetime: a five-day hiking trip to Yosemite National Park. Coming from Mexico City, where the gray urban landscape sprawls as far as your eyes can see, I was eager to swap the usual city views for the raw beauty of one of the most iconic parks in the United States.
I joined a group of fellow adventurers from Mexico for this journey with Utopya Travel & Adventure, and Yosemite Cedar Lodge was our basecamp for the trip. Each of us in the crew were drawn by Yosemite’s promise of towering granite cliffs, pristine forests, strenuous hikes, and the kind of serenity you can only find in the wilderness.
As we made our way through Yosemite, I was continually awestruck by the sheer scale of nature around us. There’s something humbling about standing in front of El Capitan or reaching the base of Half Dome after an 8-mile hike. These moments reminded me of how small we are in comparison to the natural world, yet how deeply connected we can feel to it. Nature here doesn’t just invite you to look. It commands your full attention and respect.
This trip was more than just a birthday gift. It was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to reconnect with nature and challenge myself in ways I hadn’t expected. Each photograph in this essay captures a piece of that journey.
My first unobstructed view of Half Dome from Yosemite Valley. Four days after taking this picture I reached the summit of the famous rock. Photo: Rulo Luna
One of the best spots to take pictures of El Capitan towering over the Merced River. It might look peaceful, but a crowd of hundreds lies just outside the frame of this photo. Photo: Rulo Ramos
Day two started early for the 8.7 mile round trip to Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Point. This huge granite wall was a constant reminder of the distance left until the summit. Photo: Rulo Luna
This is Yosemite Valley from the handrail at Yosemite Point. On the lower right corner you can see the stream that turns into the Upper Yosemite Falls. The starting point of our hike is somewhere around the trees down below. Photo: Rulo Luna
We woke up at 4 AM on day three to reach Glacier Point before dawn. This is the exact moment the sun showed up behind the Sierra. Photo: Rulo Luna
The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is located in the southern end of Yosemite. Featured in this photo is the Grizzly Giant, the largest sequoia tree in the park. Photo: Rulo Luna
Most visitors do the two-mile loop to the Grizzly Giant and call it a day. Fortunately, we decided to do the full seven-mile loop trail that takes you to the heart of Mariposa Grove, a forest that feels otherworldly due to the sheer size of its trees. Photo: Rulo Luna
The Mariposa Grove Cabin is located in the heart of the sequoia forest. This is one of the most picturesque spots in the whole park. Photo: Rulo Luna
On day four, we drove all the way up to Tuolumne Meadows. These sub-alpine meadows are some of the least visited sections in the whole park. Our first stop was Tenaya Lake, where we took a well deserved early-morning plunge. Photo: Rulo Luna
We spent the afternoon exploring the trails around Tuolumne Meadows. The tranquility of this place contrasts greatly with the busiest sections of Yosemite Valley. As the evening light started changing I spotted several deer and a few prairie dogs like the one in the picture. Photo: Rulo Luna
On our way back to the Valley we stopped at this lookout to get a final view of Half Dome before attempting to reach its summit on the following day. I felt excited and a little nervous for the upcoming challenge. Photo: Rulo Luna
Day five started early in preparation for the Half Dome hike. Pictured here is the sub dome, which we reached after some good six hours of hiking via the Mist Trail. Note that a permit is required to proceed to the sub dome area. Photo: Rulo Luna
Reaching the top of the sub dome leaves you in awe for the challenge ahead. In the picture, a woman stares at the group of hikers going up the infamous Half Dome cables. You can also see a chipmunk paying close attention to the woman’s backpack, waiting for the right time to steal a snack. Photo: Rulo Luna
I took this picture without knowing if I was going to continue all the way up to the summit. I was very tired and trying to convince myself there was no shame in going back. I started walking towards the cables to get one final photo and suddenly I found myself putting the camera in my backpack, taking out my gloves, and getting ready for one last push. Photo: Rulo Luna
Reaching the summit of Half Dome didn’t disappoint. What a great closure for such an amazing trip. Photo: Rulo Luna
