Hiking, Exploring & Travel

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

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 96 (Beauty Among the Debris)

Jeff

Beauty among nature's debrisEven among the debris, nature leaves behind, beauty stands out!

What I like about this photograph is that even among the debris left behind by nature, the inherent beauty shines through. There are dead trees, debris in the pond left by recent rains and branches dying on nearby growth. Yet the beauty in the background was breathtaking!

The sapling to the left of the water (foreground) should serve to remind all that nature rejuvenates our world when left to her own devices. Yes, Half Dome peering out above the distant mountain watches over the lush, green valley; joy to the world!

 
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 96 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 10:00:14 AM
Capture date: June 8, 2016
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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 95 (Stone Bridge)

Jeff

Beautiful Stone BridgeStone work fits in so nicely in our national parks and this bridge is no exception!

It is a wonder that structures built so long ago with natural materials have held up so well. I so admire the stone work in our parks that enhance the beauty without distracting from the inherent wildness of the area.

When I came upon the scene of the bridge peeking out between the two trees, the natural frame drew my attention immediately. Especially nice (IMHO) is the dappled sunlight highlighting the colors and textures of the stone itself!

PS – Love the brown earth tones!

 
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 95 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 9:17:40 AM
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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 94 (Dog Lake Expanse)

Jeff

Expanse of Dog LakeUnlike yesterday’s post (YOY #93) this shows the expanse of Dog Lake

Yesterday’s photograph of Dog Lake, while picturesque, did not display the full expanse of the lake itself. I thought I would show a picture taken from a similar vantage point at the lake to allow readers to appreciate the complete beauty of the mid-afternoon scene.

 
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 94 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 3:09:56 PM
Capture date: June 7, 2016
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Nikon D3300

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 93 (Dog Lake)

Jeff

Dog Lake framed by a tree branch 

Dog Lake and distant mountains framed by a large tree branch

While hiking to Lembert Dome, there will be signs for the Dog Lake trail. These two hikes combine well and I would encourage all those who are fit enough to complete both hikes to visit each destination. We were at Dog Lake when snow was still covering the mountain tops and it did add a nice contrast to the scene, but recent rains and snow melt rendered parts of the shoreline muddy.

By framing the lake and distant mountains with the large branch, the viewer’s eye is drawn into the scene.

 
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 93 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 3:12:04 PM
Capture date: June 7, 2016
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Nikon D3300

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 92 (Tuolumne Meadows from atop Lembert Dome)

Jeff

Tuolumne Meadows from Lembert Dome)A view of Tuolumne Meadows from Lembert Dome)

After quite a long trek and then a climb to the top of Lembert Dome, I had to take my time to gaze at all of the views from on top of that edifice.

So beautiful was the entire panorama, that I took enough photographs to cover the complete 360 degree view. I guess that is the good news. The bad news? Well, you may very well see every shot I took to cover all of that territory.

Not to worry, however, as I don’t think one can ever tire of the magnificence of that landscape. I was far enough from the edge of the dome to be safe, but it was still a thrill to look over the precipice.

 
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 82 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 1:29:27AM/PM
Capture date: June 7, 2016
Exposure: 1/125 sec @ f/13
Focal Length: 55mm
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Nikon D3300

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 91 (El Capitan)

Jeff

El Capitan viewed from a nearby meadow 

El Capitan viewed from a nearby meadow

El Capitan is one of iconic features of Yosemite. No matter where one hikes in the park, it continuously reveals itself from numerous roads, paths and viewing points.

The photograph of El Capitan above was taken as we walked across a nearby meadow. It towers well above the tree line and never ceases to impress.

 
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 91 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 8:32:35 PM
Capture date: June 7, 2016
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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 90 (Trail Maintenance)

Jeff

Typical view of a Yosemite Trail 

Typical view of a Yosemite Trail

As we visit the national parks, we are always amazed and appreciative of the care that is given to maintaining the trails. As most people know, the parks are not well-funded and are attracting increasing numbers of visitors.

BTW – The photograph above was taken during our hike along the Four Mile Trail at Yosemite…notice the cobble stone-like section.

Certainly there are areas where maintenance is lacking and certain amenities need upgrading, but when it comes to the trails which are often very far away from electricity, running water, roads, etc. they are mostly groomed.

We have been on trails where trees have fallen across the path. In a visit to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, we hiked a loop trail and noticed that on the way out a tree had obstructed a path that was clear on the way in. We understand, however, that not every trail can be reviewed every day or every week or even every six months. I think this is part of the allure of hiking, i.e. one never knows what they will find.

I want to tip my hat and thank those who work on helping to care for our trails in the national parks. We appreciate any effort made to ease our way. Many a stubbed toe has been avoided by these efforts!

 
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 90 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 88 (Mariposa Lily – Hetch Hetchy)

Jeff

Mariposa Lily at Hetch HetchyMariposa Lily at Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite NP

One of the wonders of Hetch Hetchy when we visited in early June, 2016 was the fields of wildflowers still blooming in large numbers enveloping the Wapama Falls Trail at times. Among them was the Mariposa Lily pictured above. As you can note from the photograph it wasn’t alone on this canvas as other wildflowers were vying for attention all around.

If you look closely, you can see an insect in the bottom-right of the flower. It is yellow and black and the antennae can be seen raising above the insect.

 
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 88 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 12:02:50 PM
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Canon SX50 HS

 

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 86 (Blue Helmets)

Jeff


Blue Helmets 
Blue Helmets Blue Helmets along the Four Mile Trail

While hiking the Four Mile Trail we were surprised to find blue helmets in two different locations. One helmet was placed on a ledge of rocks and another was resting in the middle of the trail.

We made an assumption that these were probably protective gear used by rescuers. We previously showed a locked metal case placed along the edge of the trail in one spot which we likewise assumed had rescue gear inside (see YOY DAY 47).

Other than the above conjectures, we don’t know what use these items might have in these particular locations. There was no rock climbing along this trail as far as we understood.

 
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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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 84 (Mirror Lake – Between the Domes)

Jeff

Mirror LakeMirror Lake nestled between the mountains of Yosemtie

Mirror Lake is a pretty lake although it is a bit cluttered with vegetation at times. This was one of the first major hikes we took and I did not realize that Half Dome was situated to the southeast. I “heard” that it is possible to get a reflection of Half Dome in the lake, but I did not know and therefore did not seek out that shot. It would have been a good one to attempt.

I did manage to capture several images of North Dome which lies northwest of Mirror Lake. It would be a star in almost any other surrounding, but at Yosemite, it is forced to assume a supporting role.

 
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 84 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 10:59:33 AM
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