El Capitan

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 156 (Colorful Sun on Tunnel View)

Jeff

Sun setting on Tunnel View

The Scene from Tunnel View – Early Evening

We had been past Tunnel View a prior to this and stopped a couple of times, but this particular stop came closest to having the best lighting. Earlier stops were near midday or when light was harsh. This scene has a bit of a fall look because of the orange/brown trees, but those are trees that are dead or dying. Much like other areas of the United States, drought and insects have taken their toll on the trees in our national parks.

Tunnel view is a major stop on the way to or from Glacier Point. It is almost always crowded. Buses, campers, cars, hikers, nearly everyone stops at Tunnel View to take photographs. My advice is if you do stop, move around. Don’t stand in just one place. There are so many wonderful views to capture.

El Capitan (left) and Half Dome (middle) are obvious to most visitors, but the jutting series of rocks the right, just in from the edge, is Cathedral Rocks.

I missed getting Bridalveil Falls in the shot. It was there, but I failed to take the picture from an angle that would have included it. I forgot that it was just off to the right. Also…if you have a wide angle lens, that would be a great tool for this vantage point.

NOTE – I do have a couple of previous pictures from Tunnel View with the falls in them, but the light was not as good in those shots.

 
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 152 (Four Mile Trail 2/5 – El Capitan)

Jeff

El Capitan as seen from the Four Mile Trail

El Capitan viewed from the Four Mile Trail in late afternoon

As we started down the Four Mile Trail, we couldn’t help but stop every few feet. This was especially true at the very beginning of the hike as there were many gaps between the trees which allowed us to “pull back the curtain” a bit and see the magnificent views. We were high, but in spite of that, the key players loomed large.

We were hiking into the sun so much of the detail is not presented in the picture of El Capitan, but the overall vista is portrayed well. Given another crack at this, I would take an early morning hike to try to catch the sun bathing El Cap, but as you will soon see, this would leave Half Dome in the shade.

As a matter of reference, Tunnel View is somewhere out there past the break in the mountains beyond El Capitan.

 
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 137 (El Capitan Warts and All)

Jeff

El Capitan with a less flattering view

El Capitan viewed from a filed near Bridalveil Fall

Thus far, I may have portrayed hiking in Yosemite as nearly ideal and this is not really my intent. Yosemite (and all of the National Parks I have visited) are beautiful places with special qualities. They each have their own “personality” if that word can be used in this context. Arches is unlike most of the others and remains near the top of my favorites list. Zion is so vast and varied; truly a marvel. I could go on and on, but I think I have made the point.

We must keep in mind that whenever and wherever we have crowds of people, there will be the less glamorous side of the experience and our National Parks are not immune. Someone has to take care of the trash, the porta-potties, etc. and this is not always done to our personal preferences. We must remember that it is not possible or desirable to have a flush toilet on the top of Half Dome. There are some decent bathrooms, when considering park standards, at Glacier Point and other out-of-the-way locales.

As we hiked through the many trails at Yosemite, we would come across certain areas that were less than scenic or may have had some recent litter. The parks need to rely on everyone to carry their trash out and most comply. There are always exceptions.

Not every inch of the park can be groomed. It is a natural environment so there are going to be fallen trees, rocks and boulders in places that become inconvenient and trails that may be a bit circuitous. We need to keep in mind that this is nature. Natural environments are not necessarily the most comfortable for humans.

The picture above is a field across from Bridalveil Fall which sits directly opposite of El Capitan. El Cap looms so large that it often looks closer than it is. This field was a wild place with fallen trees and large rocks that can be seen in the foreground. It is perhaps a bit unsightly, but El Capitan still manages to provide an umbrella of grandeur over the area.

We always need to remind ourselves that this is not a man-made amusement park. It is a place of nature with all the attributes that encompasses.

 
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 108 (Another Pass – Tunnel View)

Jeff

The main players seen from tunnel viewAs we passed by Tunnel View again, the color of light was changing and painting the landscape

This picture taken from the Tunnel View overlook and parking area shows the sun beginning to reach that golden stage. We had just finished hiking in the area and were heading back to Yosemite Valley. Although we were tired, the scene was so beautiful, we just had to stop.

The main players, Half Dome (background), El Capitan (foreground – left) and some of the “pinnacles” (foreground right – perhaps Cathedral Rocks) were exhibiting their finery for all the onlookers; and there were many.

This scene is awe inspiring. Changes of the sun’s position and light as well as the seasons provide variations on the theme; daily weekly, monthly!

 
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 101 (El Capitan 1/2)

Jeff

El Capitan seen from the Valley Loop TrailWhen hiking the Valley Loop Trail, you should pass right by El Capitan

After one false start, we were able to zero in on the Valley Loop Trail. Surprisingly, the trail is not well marked if starting out at the Yosemite Falls vista. We purchased a detailed map and we were stopped a number of times by people who were on the trail, yet had no idea where they were. Of course, we offered to share our knowledge with them.

While hiking the Valley Loop Trail, you should pass close to El Capitan. This is one structure that looks best from a distance. Up close, it is a sheer wall of rock. Walking past El Cap, you will feel very small indeed! (El Cap’s Different Personality Tomorrow…)

 
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 101 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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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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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 70 (El Capitan by a Nose)

Jeff

The Nose of El Capitan 

The ridge facing left on El Capitan is referred to as “the Nose”

Of course I had heard of El Capitan long before I saw it or even before I planned to visit Yosemite. In preparation for the visit, and while at the park, the readings about Yosemite would often refer to “the nose” of El Capitan.

Apparently the ridge that juts out (facing southwest) is one of the premiere rock climbing trails and referred to as “the nose” by rock climbers. It was once thought impossible to scale, but is now one of the benchmarks of achievement for rock climbers.

You can read more about “the Nose” and rock climbing:

The Nose: How to Climb El Capitan’s Most Famous Route by Andy Kirkpatrick Jul/2014

Danger Zones: The Nose – Accidents On El Cap’s Most Popular Route

The Nose of El Capitan 

 
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 70 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 58 (The Spires & El Capitan with Sun Setting)

Jeff

El Capitan, the Valley Spires and Peaks 

A view of El Capitan, the Spires and Peaks as the Valley Opens Before Us

The light was not the best for taking a photograph as we were hiking along the Four Mile Trail in a westerly direction with the sun beginning to set. I felt compelled to try to capture the stunning view of Yosemite Valley with El Capitan on the right and the Spires and Peaks on the left. The Valley was open before us and we could see the Merced River and the meadows. It was beautiful and inspiring. We stopped often to inhale the scene before us.

 
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 58 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 50 (El Cap and Half Dome from Tunnel View)

Jeff

El Capitan and Half Dome as seen from Tunnel View 

A Warm glow was settling over El Capitan and Half Dome as seen from Tunnel View.

We had stopped at Tunnel View prior to this, but the light was more inviting as we cam upon this scene at this time of day and we were compelled to stop once again. El Capitan can be seen in the upper left with Half Dome close to dead-center. It is awesome to see both major icons of Yosemite in this orientation.

 
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 50 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 36 (El Capitan Puzzle Solution)

Jeff

Spoiler Alert If you want to try to answer the puzzle, see yesterday’s YOY #35 and return to this post after that.

If you don’t care to take a guess, then click HERE to go to today’s Yosemite picture(s).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above is yesterday’s picture with the hint circled. Do you see that red object?

Rock climbers on El CapitanRock climbers on the face of El Capitan

We were very surprised to learn that the park service allows rock climbers to mount El Capitan since it is such an iconic landmark. There were a number of climbers trying to ascend during our visit and onlookers were lined up under trees in nearby fields to watch the climbers make their way to the top.

We were told that the climb can take between three and six days depending on a variety of factors. Climbers must bring everything with them to sustain them during this feat. Plans need to be made for sleeping, eating, etc.

The red item is one of the bags used to carry supplies and below that there appears to be a pail and a weight. Above the bag there are two climbers with additional supplies. This may be hard to discern so I enlarged a portion of the picture which appears below.

Rock climbers on El Capitan 

Rock climbers on the face of El Capitan Close Up

 
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 36 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 11:20 AM
Capture date: June 8, 2016
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CATS: Nature, Hiking, YOY, Photography