The best hike I've ever done

 Ironically I really didn’t want to do this hike at all.

 After walking for eight hours the previous day the last thing my aching legs wanted to do was to be strapped into a pair of snow shoes and dragged up yet another steep hill. Especially a hill which was technically closed. 

Yep, it may not sound enticing to begin with but hiking up Centennial Dome at Yosemite National Park was nothing short of mind-blowing. 

I think it is important to note here that my Dad (who had joined Jess and I after our stay in LA) is a madman who utterly ignores any sign that says “this trail is closed”. Yep, he’s that guy. The guy you watch from your car going for a run in a rainstorm or wearing shorts on a winter day.  He believes nature is a force to be reckoned with and that nothing, nothing can stop him. 

Anyway, saying this when we arrived at the start of trail a park ranger sign stated the trail was closed due to snow and lack of path visibility.  A sign we simply swerved around.  That’s not to say the park wardens sign was not true. It was. When we couldn’t find the path to begin (because of the uh … snow) I put my foot down at crossing the waist deep river and we turned back until we found a bridge.

 After traversing for some time on the path we reached the bottom of the final hill leading to the summit of Centennial Dome.  Now this hill was pretty tough, especially when you throw in some snow, sore legs and the stomach clenching drop that fell away to one side into it.  Jess and I were almost on our hands and knees crawling up slowly to the top.  But wow, the summit was certainly worth it! With 360 degree views of the park and half dome ( the most difficult peak to climb in Yosemite) it was jaw droppingly stunning. 

Going down was even harder than going up as we tried to fall flat on our faces and roll down the mountain. On second thought this might have been a good idea !

So yes, this was quite possible the best hike I’ve ever done that I didn’t want to do …