Half Dome

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 63 (Glacier Point-Half Dome)

Jeff

Half Dome from Glacier PointHalf Dome from Glacier Point

I would advise anyone who visits Yosemite National Park to go to Glacier Point. There are numerous viewpoints which, on most days, will be stunning. For those who are more energetic and capable than I am, a hike up to Glacier Point and then back down would be tremendous. It is possible to take one trail up and another one down.

We decided that hiking up and down was more than we cared to do on the day we set up to go to Glacier Point. Fortunately, there is a shuttle bus that leaves from the Valley Lodge area and they offer a one-way fare. We took the bus up and hiked down. I heartily recommend this for those who are so inspired.

Another benefit of taking the shuttle is the “inside information” the bus drivers are able to share about the park’s history and highlights.

IMPORTANT – Purchase your tickets in advance or the shuttle may be sold out. If you know which day you want to visit, purchase tickets a couple of days in advance. The early shuttle tends to sell out 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.

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 56 (Half Dome in Black and White)

Jeff

Half Dome rendered in black and whiteHalf Dome as seen from the Olmsted Point parking area

As stated in prior posts, Half Dome, the icon of Yosemite National Park, peeks out from many vantage points . This was initially a color photo, but because of the lighting and the lack of clouds in the sky, the picture appeared too flat. I believe the black and white rendition presents it more accurately; amazing!

 
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 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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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 45 (Half Dome at Sunset)

Jeff

Half Dome Meadow at SunsetHalf Dome Meadow at Sunset

While Half Dome is always impressive as it rises up from a multitude of vantage points at Yosemite, during the sunrise and sunset hours it takes on a special majesty. I particularly like this photograph with the contrasting dark colors of green and some purple highlights among the wildflowers in the foreground.

This field was only a short walk from our lodging and it was difficult to get enough of this view!

Fact: Did you know that the North Face outdoor company uses a stylized version of Half Dome as their Logo?

North Face Logo 

The North Face Logo is a Copyrighted and Registered Trademark

 
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 45 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 39 (View from Sentinel Dome)

Jeff

View of Half Dome from atop Sentinel DomeHalf Dome viewed from the top of Sentinel Dome

After hiking the trail to Sentinel Dome (elevation 8,122 feet), the dome itself may look a bit steep, but if you are in good physical condition for hiking, I encourage you to try it. The surface of the rock is not slick and good hiking shoes will grab onto the surface ridges. There is an “established path” that the hikers on the left of the picture are following.

Once on top of the dome, the valley opens up with El Capitan, the Merced River and meadows to the northwest and Half Dome and the falls to the northeast. It is truly impressive.

 
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 39 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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CATS: Nature, Hiking, YOY, Photography

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 33 (El Cap and Half Dome – Tunnel View

Jeff

El Capitan and Half Dome from Tunnel View 

El Capitan and Half Dome from Tunnel View

It was hard to resist stopping every time we passed the Tunnel View pull off. The panoramas were stunning even if the time of day was not quite right for a photograph. To see El Capitan (mid-left) and Half Dome playing off of each other was very special.

NOTE – This tends to be one of the more crowded areas of the park when it comes to finding parking spaces. Many people want to stop to see this view and so do the tour buses. Plan to be patient and leave enough time.

 
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 33 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 26 (Olmsted Point – Lone Tree)

Jeff

Lone Tree at Olmsted Point

Olmsted Point has a view of Half Dome. This lone tree is trying to grab center stage.

Omsted Point is easy to pass on the way to other locations, but it certainly is worth a stop. We were on the way to Lembert Dome when we stopped to take a few photographs.

What I liked about this particular photo is the tree near the center. Although it would normally be a supporting cast member with Half Dome straight ahead (peaking out just above the curve of the hill in the center), it steals the scene in its own right. Naturally, there are nice pictures of Half Dome to be captured from this view as well.

 
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 26 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 7, 2016
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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 14

Jeff

Half Dome under the setting sun

“Half Dome Cast with the Setting Sun”

As I indicated in the introduction, you will see numerous photographs of Half Dome and El Capitan. These two iconic features of Yosemite call to visitors from many different venues and beckon to take their picture. This photo was snapped after a day of hiking as we were returning to our lodging to relax a bit before dinner.

 
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 14 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 5

Jeff

Half Dome as viewed from near the Tamarack Building (part of the Valley Lodge Complex)


Part of our lodging at Yosemite was at the Tamarack Building which is northeast of the Yosemite Valley Lodge amenities. There was a meadow just a short ten minute (+/-) walk a bit further northeast where I took the picture above. Half Dome is one of the iconic landmarks of Yosemite and it is pictured in many, many places and you will see it numerous times from different vantage points as part of the YOY project. As Yosemite visitors soon learn, it unexpectedly peaks out at visitors from numerous trails and vistas.

Half Dome Facts Courtesy of National Park Website

  • Half Dome Elevation: 8,842 feet (2,650 meters)
  • Total Elevation Gain: 4,800 feet (1,600 meters) from Yosemite Valley
  • Best Time to View: Early season when the waterfalls are at their fullest from snowmelt.
  • Hiking the Half Dome is a 14-16-mile round trip and takes about 10-12 hours. There are cables along the last 400 feet of the climb to the summit and the cables and [sic] unsafe in inclement weather and if not used with care. Permits are required to climb Half Dome.

 

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, that can be found HERE.

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