hiking

Lembert Dome: The Trail Down – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 248

Jeff

The trek back down from Lembert Dome

On the trail down from Lembert Dome, more streams

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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Lembert Dome Panorama 3/3 – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 247

Jeff

A panorama taken on top of Lembert Dome

Last panorama from the top of Lembert Dome


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.

To see a larger photo of the scene, click 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 247 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Lembert Dome Panorama 2/3 – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 246

Jeff

A panorama taken on top of Lembert Dome

Another panorama from the top of Lembert Dome

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!

To see a larger photo of the scene, click HERE

NOTE – The larger version was taken from a screen shot to reduce memory requirements.

 
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 246 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Lembert Dome Panorama 1/3 – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 245

Jeff

A panorama taken on top of Lembert Dome

Panorama from the top of Lembert Dome

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.

To see a larger photo of the scene, click 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 245 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 7, 2016
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Nikon D3300

Signs of Snow Near and Far – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 244

Jeff

Snow appeared near and far during our hikes

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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Canon PowerShot A590 IS

 

Understand Weather – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 243

Jeff

Understand the weather patterns

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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Hiker to Hiker Communication – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 242

Jeff

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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Olmsted Point and What Else? – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 241

Jeff

What is out there?

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.

Half Dome above the trees Lake

 
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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Half Dome Everywhere – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 240

Jeff

NOTE – Over the next week or so, STATUS QUOtes posts may be sporadic or postponed entirely. Other obligations may consume more of my time and prevent me from posting. Thank you for visiting JBRish.com and I hope to back on schedule soon!

 

Can you locate Half Dome in the picture below?

Half Dome from Olmsted Point

Half Dome plays hide and seek

I feel that most people who have knowledge of our national parks have heard of Half Dome. I knew of Half Dome long before I visited Yosemite National Park. My Macintosh desktop had Half Dome as its default image at one point.

This large monolithic feature has become a symbol to a number of businesses, sports enthusiasts, etc., but it remains hard to grasp how omnipresent it is at Yosemite National Park. It reveals itself time and time again.

There were instances when we looked up above the trees and there it was. No fanfare or spectacular view, just Half Dome towering above it all. There were other times when it was somewhere along the horizon, but had to be sought out. From Olmsted Point without any visual aides, it might be difficult to discern, but it was there for sure! (see below)

Half Dome above the trees Lake

 
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.

***********************************

Meta Data – Day 240 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 7, 2016
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Half Dome – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 239

Jeff

NOTE – Over the next week or so, YOY posts may be sporadic or postponed entirely. Other obligations may consume more of my time and prevent me from posting. I will, however, complete the YOY project by posting a year’s worth of Yosemite National Park photos and commentary. Thank you for visiting JBRish.com and I hope to back on schedule soon!

Half Dome above the trees

Half Dome rises above the trees

Yesterday’s post, YOY Day 238, we showed Half Dome’s across-the-street-neighbor, North Dome (located northwest of the Yosemite celebrity), rising above the trees. Well Half Dome obviously rises above the trees as well.

This is one of more than a dozen photographs I snapped from the meadow area between Yosemite Village and Half Dome. It is one of the best vantage points for a ground level photo of this icon.

 
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 239 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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