Tuesday. 8:30 AM. Glacier Point (7,214 ft). The Plan:

(1) "k" would drop her family off for their 3 day backpacking trip. Her family would hike down the Panorama Trail past Illioutte and Nevada Falls to Little Yosemite Valley and the backpacker's campground (4-miles... er... 6 miles?).
(2) On day-2, the hikers would climb Half Dome (8,842 ft) on a 7-mile round trip.
(3) Day-3 would bring "g" Hikers past Yosemite Falls, down the Mist Trail past Vernal Falls, and conclude at the Happy Isle Nature Center near Curry Village (4,335 ft).
(4) In their absence, "k" would luxuriate at the Wawona for the next two nights, then load up the van and meet her family at the Happy Isle Trail Head between 1-2:00 PM on Thursday.
(5) Thursday night they would spend at the Yosemite Lodge and head back to San Fransisco on Friday; their plane left on Monday (6:00 AM).

At 9:30 AM, "g" Hikers gave parting hugs and kisses to "k" and descended the Panorama Trail. With a minor adjust to "s's" pack with elastic cord, the three hiked-on down the trail. They munched on home-prepared, dehydrated strawberries, apples and kiwis. Hmmm.

First stop was at Illioutte Falls for lunch. "g's" new hydration plan to drink water instead of Gatorade seemed to be working well. Since it was only a 4-mile hike down to their camp ground, they were all smiles.

Then, the Panorama Trail took a nasty turn... up! "Geez," often murmered the girls, "I thought this was all down and only 4 miles?"

In 85 degree sun, there were grumblings from the pack. However, up yielded to the much appreciated and steep switchbacks down to Nevada Falls.