While we were working our way back down the mountain and basically retracing our steps, we took one last look back at Lembert Dome through the wooded mountainside.
I know that not all domes are created equal, but there seems to be a family resemblance. Lembert Dome does a look a bit like Half Dome if you look quickly!
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.
JBRish.com originally published this post *All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.
As we were making our way to the top of Lembert Dome, several hikers approached us and inquired as to the location of Dog Lake. They were not native English speakers so we did the best we could in communicating that they were on the right trail, but had to veer to the west at some point to reach Dog Lake.
As we returned from the dome, we decided to head to Dog Lake ourselves. The lake was very pretty with the snow covered mountains in the distance. The picture above was taken from the southwestern shore which was quite soggy.
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.
JBRish.com originally published this post *All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.
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Meta Data – Day 249 YOY – Year of Yosemite
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Experienced hikers understand that the trail “back down” can be almost as hard as the ascent to the top of a mountain. Trekkers are more tired on the way down and the body’s momentum can force errant steps. If there is scree on the path, this can have severe consequences for those who are not prepared.
We carefully retraced our steps with the idea that, if we had enough energy left, we would take the companion trail to Dog Lake which is a spur off of the Lembert Dome Trail. We were faced with more stream crossings as the snow melt continued to swell the waterways.
In the picture above you can notice logs that were placed next to boulders in the stream to help with finding dry footing. One can’t assume that these are stable so tread lightly, making sure that where your foot will go is relatively steady. I always try to keep one foot firmly planted during the step forward and only when the previously lifted foot is secure, do I then lift the trailing leg.
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.
JBRish.com originally published this post *All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.
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Meta Data – Day 248 YOY – Year of Yosemite
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The last panorama from the top of Lembert Dome moves the viewer a bit more towards the north in a north-westerly direction. As you may notice a couple of people were off to the side taking in the gorgeous view.
The sun and shadows were playing nice in the valley and on the mountains creating pockets of contrast. It was time to start heading back down.
Following yesterday’s post, I wanted to show additional panoramas to provide the full scope of the amazing view from on top of the Lembert Dome. After what, for me, was a relatively long trek, this was the pay off.
This composite of several individual photos moves more toward a westerly direction. In the middle left, you might be able to see a bit of the Tuolumne River just in front of the distant mountains. On the right side of the frame is a jutting portion of the Lembert Dome. It was truly breathtaking!
The panorama above was composed of several pictures taken from on top of Lembert Dome. So impressive was the view before me that I started looking southwest-ish and began to take a series of pictures panning to the west.
I believe this photograph is a view of the mountains from Lembert Dome looking in the approximate southwestern direction. Tuolumne Meadows spread out before me with a view of the distant mountains and sections of the Tuolumne River peeking out here and there.
Snow patches were found on Lembert Dome as well as distant mountains us
As seen on the distant mountain in the photograph above, snow was still abundant on certain trails especially in areas that were under shade during the warmer part of the days. As we hiked Lembert Dome, we came across patches of snow; some quite large.
This did not deter us as we adjusted our path to avoid any difficult hiking spots.
The post for Day 173 provides a better idea of the patches of snow we found as we reached the top of Lembert Dome. You can see it HERE.
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.
JBRish.com originally published this post *All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.
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Meta Data – Day 244 YOY – Year of Yosemite
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Streams running full caused several challenges for us
When we plan a hiking trip, we watch the weather for weeks prior to our visit. There have been times when weather events have forced us to alter our goals. We had planned a hike at Capitol Reef National Park – Utah, but recent storms washed out the trail (one of the best) and we were forced to abandon that hike and select others.
Prior to our visit to Yosemite, we watched the weather for a number of weeks. We understood that there were recent rains and snow melt and because of that, we were not surprised to find wet (often soggy) terrain and full-flowing waterfalls. Having the waterfalls at or near their best was important to us.
Some of the northern national parks also have tentative “opening” dates. There are provisos that weather may postpone the opening of the park. Just a week or so prior to our arrival at Yosemite, Tioga Road was not open; plan and be ready.
The picture above is one indication of how the recent rains and snow melt posed problems for hikers. We needed to ford this stream a couple of times and it was a challenge for us to locate a shallow, narrow point in certain instances. Having current and recent weather information can be very helpful in planning and executing a hiking excursion.
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.
JBRish.com originally published this post *All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.
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Meta Data – Day 243 YOY – Year of Yosemite
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Olmsted Point – Close up view of Half Dome and other mountains
My experience has been that most hikers are more than willing to help others enjoy the areas they are visiting. If you arrive at a vista and others are staring at something, but you don’t know exactly what, don’t be shy…ask and most people will gladly share information.
At Olmsted Point, Half Dome is a distant sight and might not be easily recognized. There were many others staring at the distant view who would have gladly pointed to the landmark. We actually took photos for some of them.
As a case in point, we were at a national monument recently and other visitors were staring at a patch of grass. We had no idea what they were watching so we asked. They were more than happy to point out the diamondback rattlesnake lurking among the twigs and weeds. Had we been too shy to ask, we would have missed “the show.”
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.
JBRish.com originally published this post *All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.
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Meta Data – Day 242 YOY – Year of Yosemite
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The Olmsted Point parking area is relatively large for its location and there was quite a crowd when we stopped to take in the scene. Moving around the area, there were many striking views.
In the picture above, this mountain covered with trees and very pretty rock formations was worthy in its own right. I wondered how many people might stop off here and not realize that lurking in the distance is perhaps the most famous Yosemite feature, Half Dome.
Among so many beautiful areas to stop and appreciate nature’s beauty at Yosemite National Park, the best sighting may not be obvious to visitors.
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.
JBRish.com originally published this post *All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.
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Meta Data – Day 241 YOY – Year of Yosemite
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