nature

Lembert Dome Cairn Art- Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 252

Jeff

Artistic cairn layout at Lembert Dome

Artistic cairn layout near Lembert Dome Trailhead

Near the trail head of Lembert Dome, some hikers showed their artistic side by creating a grouping of cairns. These rock formations are ostensibly used to guide others in areas where the path may not be clear. There is some “controversy” about these unofficial guide posts primarily because they are unofficial. There have been times when not-so-funny jokesters deliberately mislead others.

A grouping like this may cause confusing since they appear in a rounded formation without a clear direction. There were others in the area that did point the way, however.

 
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 252 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Lembert Dome Trail Beauty- Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 251

Jeff

Lembert Dome Trail's beauty

Another stream in the woods

As we continued our hike back to the parking area, we came across a number of scenes like that above. There appears to be so much beauty to enjoy that even this rather common Yosemite sight of a meandering stream, reveals wonderful colors of green, brown and gray amid the bubbling waters.

Who could encounter such a place with dappled sunlight, gurgling water and not be happy to be among the mountains?

 
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 251 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Lembert Dome – Last Look Back – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 250

Jeff

Last look back at the dome

One last look back at Lembert Dome

While we were working our way back down the mountain and basically retracing our steps, we took one last look back at Lembert Dome through the wooded mountainside.

I know that not all domes are created equal, but there seems to be a family resemblance. Lembert Dome does a look a bit like Half Dome if you look 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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Meta Data – Day 250 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Lembert Dome to Dog Lake – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 249

Jeff

A view of Dog Lake

Dog Lake

As we were making our way to the top of Lembert Dome, several hikers approached us and inquired as to the location of Dog Lake. They were not native English speakers so we did the best we could in communicating that they were on the right trail, but had to veer to the west at some point to reach Dog Lake.

As we returned from the dome, we decided to head to Dog Lake ourselves. The lake was very pretty with the snow covered mountains in the distance. The picture above was taken from the southwestern shore which was quite soggy.

 
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 249 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Canon PowerShot A590 IS

 

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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Meta Data – Day 248 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 7, 2016
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Canon PowerShot A590 IS

 

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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Capture date: June 7, 2016
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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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Capture date: June 7, 2016
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ISO 100
Nikon D3300

 

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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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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Capture date: June 7, 2016
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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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