Tags
California, Lunar Rainbow, Moonbow, nature, outdoors, sierra nevada crest, Super Moon, travel, Yosemite Falls, yosemite falls trail
“It is a super moon on May 5th,” I saw one of my friend’s status update on Facebook. “Let’s go and watch it in Yosemite” were my first thoughts after that. “Why Yosemite ?”, I asked myself. “Because Yosemite falls will be roaring and will also give a chance of witnessing a moonbow (lunar rainbow)” was my answer. 3 more friends joined in and we set off on the morning of May 5th to Yosemite National Park, a 4 hour drive from Stanford University. The plan was to drive back the same night as lodging in the park was sparse and expensive.
During the day we had lunch on the banks of Merced river, hiked about 8 miles on two different tails and around 6pm, drove to Washburn point (on Glacier Point Road) for watching the super moon rising over Sierra Nevada crest. The moonrise didn’t disappoint. It was an ethereal moment mixed with a feeling of elation that we are fortunate enough to experience this.
Super Moon rising over Sierra Crest, Yosemite National Park, CA
After that we quickly drove back to the valley, found a parking place on the already full Southside drive and geared up to witness the moonbow, first at the Upper and then at the Lower Yosemite Falls. The next 2 hours were mixed with wows and clicking of shutters. With bright moonlight and so many people around, it certainly didn’t feel past midnight, when we started back for the bay area and I reached Stanford around 4am, Sunday morning. It was an eventful day to cherish and remember.
Yosemite Falls lit by Moon Light, from lower Yosemite Falls Trail, Yosemite National Park, CA
Upper Yosemite Falls with faint Moonbow, Yosemite National Park, CA
Big Dipper and Moonbow, Lower Yosemite Falls
Double Moonbow, Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, CA
