Some fences are built to keep people in, some to keep people out. Some fences are built to keep people safe.
The fences I share today are of the latter kind. I love the mist trail in Yosemite but it is not for the faint of heart. After climbing some steep steps carved from the granite, one encounters this narrow portion, the last stretch up to the top of Vernal Fall. I think that few hikers would be willing to climb this portion if not for the fence.
I made it to the top first and got a shot of Jules coming up behind me.
Once at the top of the cliff, the fence continues, protecting people from fall over the edge.
Fences don't always work, though. This one is intended to to keep people out of the river where they can be swept over the edge. The Merced River doesn't look like much here but in the spring it can be a raging torrent. Last year three young people didn't heed the warnings, went beyond the fence and were swept to their death.
I am afraid even I have been known to go beyond the fence for a shot but even now with the river low I still kept well away from the water.
You can find more fences at Friday Fences hosted at "Life According to Jan and Jer.
17 comments:
That fence looks awesome, scary and inviting, all at the same time! Terrific captures as always, Martha!
wow, what a great place. Would love to go there. But not without the fence. I wonder who brave peson that made it. Thanks for sharing this beautiful place. :)
Thank goodness for that fence!
wow, that looks like a great hike. & what exercise too!
love your header shot. beautiful rainbow. (:
I would be so afraid...not too good with heights...great shots!
I shudder to think what the workers building that fence must have gone through... But I agree with you - sometimes you can creep a bit further, if the conditions are right!!
I am alwaqys glad when there is a fence to grap. It makes me tremble when I have to look down in the deep without a fence (also with one!)
Oh that was neat to see. I am going to Y in a couple of weeks and one of the things to do is the Mist Trail as its been close to 30 years since I last did it. Want to see if these old legs still have it or not. When a kid in the 60's there was just a low stone wall to the left in that 3rd photo and nothing to the right where the water is. There use to be a crevice on the other side of the low stone wall where you could crawl down into, scoot out towards the falls and watch the water leap from the edge over your head. When the Service installed the railing that crevice was filled in with boulders and is no more. Fun times.
I'm not fond of walking close to the edges of steep drops so I very much appreciate fences such as thee.
Definitely I wouldn't do that hike without the fence. The NPS does a good job of protecting people while still making such scenic beauty more available (although there are of course many who wouldn't or couldn't hike to the top of the falls even with the fence.)
I would be glad it was there, but I still would not want to lean on it.
Cool! I think I would go there with the fences in place. I definitely would not without them!
I might not even with the fences. Definitely not without. I am getting my hiking vicariously this year.
Beautiful place for a hike!
very beautiful pictures, very nice blog, I like
Wow, the dropoff in your first photo makes me dizzy! Beautiful scenes and scenery.
Yes, it can be a bit scary.
It is so sad each year when people cross over to where they should not be. It must be the thought..."it can't happen to me".
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