nature

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 65 (Cairns at Lembert Dome)

Jeff

Cairns at Lembert Dome Trail 

A rather usual cairn leading to the Lembert Dome Trail

For those who may not know, cairns are small piles or groupings of rocks intended to lead hikers to the correct trail. There are varying thoughts on their usefulness. The simple cairn above was located at the start of the Lembert Dome Trail. Cairns are often placed in a line showing the direction of the trail.

Pranksters have been known to deliberately place cairns so they lead in an errant direction. Foraging for rocks to add to a pile disrupts the surrounding area and is often frowned upon by those who oversee a park or hiking venue.

There have been a couple of times when I was glad to see a cairn because it verified that I was on the “right track” or prevented me from wandering in the wrong direction.

It is an interesting topic for discussion and I suppose there is fodder for both sides. As I will show in a later post, some cairns are more elaborate than others.

You can read some interesting points about hiking cairns HERE – Cairns 101

 
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 64 (Merced River Stone Bridge)

Jeff

Area in back of the Majestic/Ahwahnee HotelA wooded area in back of the former Ahwahnee Hotel now named the Majestic Yosemite Hotel

Nestled in the valley with mountains rising up behind it, the Majestic Yosemite Hotel sits comfortably near the Merced River which has a number of stone bridge crossings. The use of natural materials against the formidable grandeur of Yosemite is a nice accompaniment.

 
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 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 62 (Sentinel Dome Trail)

Jeff

Balanced Rock on Trail to Sentinel DomeBalanced Rock on Trail to Sentinel Dome

One of the virtues of the wilderness is its democracy. Dozens or even hundreds of people can hike the same trail passing the same sites and yet some individuals will find beauty where others don’t. Hikers are able to feed their spirits by focusing on those things that inspire them.

On the way to Sentinel Dome, we passed the two rocks above nestled among the trees. They were just off the trail about twenty feet or so into the wooded area. I thought the brown and gray colors of the rocks against the foliage and lichen captured the essence of the area and I saw beauty there.

The small boulder has managed to find a “home” on top of the larger pedestal rock almost like two pieces of a puzzle. It has even managed to form a base to keep it steady and secure; at least for the foreseeable future. Everyone is free to find their own version of beauty in our national parks!

 
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 61 (Hetch Hetchy Falls)

Jeff

Wapama and Tueeulala FallsWapama and Tueeulala Falls at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

Our day hiking at Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy reservoir was overcast and threatening at times. Wapama Falls (bottom center) was putting on quite a display as seen from the bridge leading to the tunnel and the trail. Less robust, but interesting Tueeulala Falls can be seen diagonally to the left of Wapama Falls.

 
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 60 (North Dome)

Jeff

North Dome from Mirror Lake TrailA view of North Dome from the Mirror Lake Trail

Yosemite has many domes and some of them get much attention. People who have never visited Yosemite seem to know Half Dome and many who have visited are familiar with Sentinel Dome and/or Lembert’s Dome, but it seems that there is a Rodney Dangerfield of domes; North Dome.

North Dome rises above the tree tops and is visible from many angles along the Mirror Lake Trail. Unfortunately, across the way (diagonally southeast and more than 1,000 feet taller), is Half Dome. North Dome can’t seem to get much respect!

 
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 60 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 59 (Trash Talk)

Jeff

Gum jammed in trash can 

Why do people need to place gum like this?

During our many hikes and visits to state and national parks, we have often remarked how the majority of people carry their trash with them, recycle those items that can be reused and otherwise care for the parks. Every once in a while, however, I am really disappointed. We recently heard the news that an artist decided to paint on the rocks in some of our national parks (source) and a celebrity decided to carve initials in a heart in the Coconino National Forest (source).

In one of the Seinfeld episodes, Jerry said something like: “People, they’re the worst.” While I don’t agree totally with that sentiment because after all “we the people” have put aside our national parks for all of us and our posterity. I do understand the intent of that remark.

I wonder why, in such a beautiful area such as Yosemite, some people feel a need to place gum, candy, etc. in places where they do not belong and will be a problem for cleaning. This shouldn’t really be done anywhere much less in our parks.

This was a disappointment for me and luckily it was only one of a few ugly behaviors I encountered.

 
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 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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STATUS QUOtes — Picture Quote — 20160820

Jeff

Todays Picture Quote

W. H. Hudson quote about nature filling the soul


“Face to face with Nature on the vast hills at eventide, who does not feel himself near to the Unseen? For here the religion that languishes in crowded cities or steals shame-faced to hide itself in dim churches, flourishes greatly, filling the soul with a solemn joy. – W. H. Hudson”

 
See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

See Jeff’s photography on Instagram

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 57 (California ground squirrel)

Jeff

California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi)California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi)

At times it was hard to tell whether we were enjoying the wildlife or they were studying us. Many of the squirrels at Yosemite appeared to be more curious than afraid. Perhaps they have been acclimated to the presence of people or a worse scenario would involve their previous feedings by visitors. At the Grand Canyon we were surprised to learn that more people were injured by squirrels than any other animal; bites!

Yosemite is the home to no less than six different types of squirrels including the California ground squirrel pictured above:

Belding’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus beldingi)
California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi)
Golden-mantled ground squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)
Chickaree (Tamiasciurus douglasii)
Northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)
Western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus)

Unlike a number of squirrel species, the California ground squirrel has a spotted pattern in its fur which is quite interesting.

 
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 57 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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