Hiking, Exploring & Travel

Personal adventures in hiking and exploring various countries, cities and geographical areas.

Lizard Tail on the Trail – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 230

Jeff

Lizard on the Taft Point Trail

Lizard along the Taft Point Trail

This was the second lizard of this type that we saw as we hiked along the Taft Point Trail. We passed one on the way to the point and this specimen showed up as we were on the way back to the parking area.

Interestingly enough, we saw both in the same area which was muddy from recent rains. As you can see, the shutter speed was a bit slow and the movement of his hind leg is blurred.

NOTE: In the YOY Day 38 post, we had a picture of a Sierra Fence Lizard taken during our Taft Point Trail hike and this appears to be the same species. This particular lizard looks as though he is regenerating a new tail which might have been torn off during an escape.

 
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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Leaving Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 229

Jeff

Looking back leaving Taft Point

Looking back towards Taft Point as we head back to the trailhead

After spending time soaking in the magnificent views offered to visitors at Taft Point, it was time to head back to the trailhead and parking area. As we made our way past the fissures, we took one last look back at the scene.

We had quite a day taking in valley views from both Glacier Point and Taft Point. These were adventures we will never forget!

 
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 229 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Farther View of the Falls from Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 228

Jeff

Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

A farther view of Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

Yesterday’s post touted the size, beauty and strength of Yosemite Falls. As part of that dialogue, I explained that being above the valley enables visitors to see the relationship of Yosemite’s features to each other.

This is a more distant view of the falls from farther back on the trail. You can get a better sense of where the falls are geographically and of course El Capitan would be toward the left of the frame (not visible) .

From this point, we started the return trip back to the car.

 
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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Yosemite Falls from Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 227

Jeff

Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

A view of Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

When visitors are in and around Yosemite Valley during spring and early summer and they hear the roar of Yosemite Falls, they may walk toward the bottom level to watch the torrent of water free falling down the wall of the mountain and into the basin. It is quite a sight; and quite a splash I might add.

I suppose some visitors think that what they are viewing is the total of Yosemite Falls, but if they could actually see the entire waterfall, their amazement would increase more than twofold. It is huge!

That is the beauty of hiking at Glacier Point and Taft Point…you get to see the bird’s eye view of Yosemite Valley. There is more than meets the eye at ground level and it is easier to understand the relationship of all of the major attractions to each other when standing at the top of it all.

The photograph above shows the full scope of Yosemite Falls. It was wonderful, beautiful and powerful. The roar of the falls can be heard for quite a distance at ground level and lulled us to sleep at night.

 
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 227 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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El Capitan’s Nose from Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 226

Jeff

El Capitan from Taft Trail

El Capitan close up from Taft Trail

Yesterday’s post showed a more distant picture of El Capitan with the surrounding meadows and the Merced River. This photo brings viewers a bit closer to El Capitan and the “nose” of the mountain.

The nose is the ridge facing left that juts out like a nose on a face. I guess mountains do have faces…don’t they?

 
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 226 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Taft Point – El Capitan – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 225

Jeff

Rock Formations - Taft Point Trail

A view of El Capitan from Taft Point

Once we arrived at Taft Point, the beautiful views opened up before us in a number of directions. The photo above shows El Capitan and the valley meadows. You might be able to discern the Merced River just off to the left of the meadow nearest El Capitan’s nose.

As you can see, I was standing relatively close to the edge, but leaning over a secured railing. It was quite a drop off and it was reassuring to have the “safety net” of a railing to lean against as I jockeyed for a position that would yield the desired picture.

 
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 225 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Taft Point Rock Formations – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 224

Jeff

Rock Formations - Taft Point Trail

Rock formations abound along the ledge of the trail

Naturally hikers focus on the view at the end of the Taft Point Trail, but before arriving at the very end and seeing the valley, interesting rock formations can be found across the chasm on the other side of the mountain.

In another place, these might have been the main attraction; location, location, location.

 
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 224 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Taft Point At the Edge – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 223

Jeff

At the edge of Taft Point

Part of the pay off for hiking to Taft Point; THE VIEW!

If you read yesterday’s post, you would probably have noted these quoted phrases describing Taft Point:

  • without the guardrails
  • dramatic vistas of Yosemite Valley
  • afraid of heights or not

And so it was! One thing about our National Parks which helps them be awesomely beautiful is that they don’t put fences or railings everywhere they can. There are some, but not an abundance. Part of the “thrill” of the alluring Taft Point panorama is the inherent danger.

There is one place, high and along the edge that does have a railing and is relatively safe. Hold onto young ones and those who might appear timid. One thing I have learned over the years is to respect the fear others may have. Don’t try to force anyone to take chances and leave the definition of “chances” strictly up to them.

While I am not afraid of heights and I do get fairly close to the edge, I don’t get quite as close as the people outlined along the precipice seen the upper-left of this photo.

The vista was so beautiful on this bright, sunny day that it is easy to appreciate why Yosemite is a favored destination of many.

 
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 223 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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STATUS QUOtes — 20170219

Jeff

Today’s STATUS QUOtes

 

“I can is 100 times more important than IQ.” — Max Lucado

“The greatest ethical test that we’re ever going to face is the treatment of those who are at our mercy.” — Lyn White

“Some old fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” — Laura Ingalls Wilder

“Dogs have masters, cats have staff.” — Unknown

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Thousands and thousands of quotes delivered since 2011!

Taft Point Fissures – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 222

Jeff

Fissures along the Trail

There were areas with large crevices along the Taft Point Trail

In our research and also along the trail itself, there were warnings about “the Fissures.” If you aren’t familiar with the term, these are large crevices and the warnings are certainly warranted.

I am not sure you can see how dramatic it is in a two-dimensional photo, but in the middle, bottom of picture above is a large “crack” in the mountain which presents a dangerous, most likely deadly hazard for anyone who falls in. Signs warn parents to hold on to their children.

The close proximity of these dangers to the trail is something to note.

Here is what YosemiteHikes.com says about the Taft Point Trail:

“It’s Glacier Point without the guardrails. Dramatic vistas of Yosemite Valley, especially El Capitan. Guaranteed to help you answer the question: Am I afraid of heights or not? And an excellent mildly sadistic people-watching spot, for seeing how your fellow hikers privately answer the same unsettling question.” Read more about 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 222 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 9, 2016
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