Yosemite

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 100 (Sentinel Dome 3/3: What Views!)

Jeff

This is post 3 of 3 about my hike to the top of Sentinel Dome. If you missed 1/3 (YOY) – Day 98 or 2/3 (YOY) – Day 99, click the links to “catch up!”

 

One of the spectacular views from the top of Sentinel Dome

I was so intent on making it to the top of Sentinel Dome, that I don’t think I turned around during the climb to take in the views at the various heights. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I stopped at all until I arrived near the very top of the hill.

Once there, I turned around and the picture above was part of what I saw. What makes Sentinel Dome so striking is that it has views of the major players in “the Valley.” There is a three-hundred-and-sixty degree range of visibility so turning around will reveal El Capitan, Yosemite Falls as well as Half Dome and the supporting cast of other falls, mountains, etc.

This was an essential hike for me and I was glad to have taken advantage of it. Of course there are views of these sights from other aspects of the park, but to have them laid out in front all at once was a rare treat!

I would suggest a telephoto and wide angle lens, if possible. I had my bridge camera which tries to cover both, but the lack of a true wide angle did not permit me to capture some of the scenes I would have liked to share.

Nevertheless, I will post more Sentinel Dome photographs and views of the other sights in a later post. This is enough of the dome for now.

 
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 100 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 99 (Sentinel Dome 2/3)

Jeff

Looking up at the climb to the domeFirst full view of Sentinel Dome as we ascended the trail

As we approached Sentinel Dome, we could get a hint of what we might see as Half Dome was visible through the trees. At the end of the trail, we arrived at the base of the dome and after the hike up the trail, it did look formidable.

I must say, the climb was easier than I thought it would be. It was a bit steep, but the path was clear and the stone provided a surface that was easy to grip. Seeing other people on the dome and at the top let me know that I could do it as well. (To be continued…)

To See Yesterday’s post about Sentinel Dome, 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 99 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 98 (Sentinel Dome 1/3)

Jeff

Sentinel Dome view ascending the trailFirst full view of Sentinel Dome as we ascended the trail

As we hiked the trail to Sentinel Dome, we had great expectations. The trail was fairly busy so we knew it had a reputation of being worthy. Another clue that the hike to the dome was popular was the lack of room in the nearby parking areas. Luckily, parking along the road, but not on the road, was permitted. We secured the car and began our trek along the Sentinel Dome trail.

There was some rock scrambling, but the trail is certainly moderate with various ups and downs. The elevation gain up to the dome was not too bad. As we rounded one part of the trail, the picture above was the first full view we had of the dome. This mountain top was well rounded like one would expect it to be. (To be continued…)

 
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 98 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 97 (Now That’s A Pine Cone!)

Jeff

foot long pine cone 

Large pine cone found along the Valley Loop Trail

We live in the desert of Arizona and while we have some drought-tolerant pine trees with pine cones, they are nowhere near the size pictured above. Even when we lived on the east coast, we couldn’t find cones this large.

My shoe size is ten-and-a-half, triple E so that may provide a mode of comparison. We were in Bishop, CA several days before reaching Yosemite and they did have pine cones equal to or larger than this as well.

NOTE – While taking a shuttle bus to Glacier Point, the driver explained that it was a violation of federal law to remove anything natural, including pine cones, from the park. National Parks are home to many life forms including insects, rodents, mammals, etc. and they use the resources of the park to create a living environment for themselves. Pine cones, for example provide food for a variety of wildlife.

 
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 97 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 96 (Beauty Among the Debris)

Jeff

Beauty among nature's debrisEven among the debris, nature leaves behind, beauty stands out!

What I like about this photograph is that even among the debris left behind by nature, the inherent beauty shines through. There are dead trees, debris in the pond left by recent rains and branches dying on nearby growth. Yet the beauty in the background was breathtaking!

The sapling to the left of the water (foreground) should serve to remind all that nature rejuvenates our world when left to her own devices. Yes, Half Dome peering out above the distant mountain watches over the lush, green valley; joy to the world!

 
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 96 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 95 (Stone Bridge)

Jeff

Beautiful Stone BridgeStone work fits in so nicely in our national parks and this bridge is no exception!

It is a wonder that structures built so long ago with natural materials have held up so well. I so admire the stone work in our parks that enhance the beauty without distracting from the inherent wildness of the area.

When I came upon the scene of the bridge peeking out between the two trees, the natural frame drew my attention immediately. Especially nice (IMHO) is the dappled sunlight highlighting the colors and textures of the stone itself!

PS – Love the brown earth tones!

 
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 95 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 94 (Dog Lake Expanse)

Jeff

Expanse of Dog LakeUnlike yesterday’s post (YOY #93) this shows the expanse of Dog Lake

Yesterday’s photograph of Dog Lake, while picturesque, did not display the full expanse of the lake itself. I thought I would show a picture taken from a similar vantage point at the lake to allow readers to appreciate the complete beauty of the mid-afternoon scene.

 
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 94 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 93 (Dog Lake)

Jeff

Dog Lake framed by a tree branch 

Dog Lake and distant mountains framed by a large tree branch

While hiking to Lembert Dome, there will be signs for the Dog Lake trail. These two hikes combine well and I would encourage all those who are fit enough to complete both hikes to visit each destination. We were at Dog Lake when snow was still covering the mountain tops and it did add a nice contrast to the scene, but recent rains and snow melt rendered parts of the shoreline muddy.

By framing the lake and distant mountains with the large branch, the viewer’s eye is drawn into the scene.

 
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 93 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 92 (Tuolumne Meadows from atop Lembert Dome)

Jeff

Tuolumne Meadows from Lembert Dome)A view of Tuolumne Meadows from Lembert Dome)

After quite a long trek and then a climb to the top of Lembert Dome, I had to take my time to gaze at all of the views from on top of that edifice.

So beautiful was the entire panorama, that I took enough photographs to cover the complete 360 degree view. I guess that is the good news. The bad news? Well, you may very well see every shot I took to cover all of that territory.

Not to worry, however, as I don’t think one can ever tire of the magnificence of that landscape. I was far enough from the edge of the dome to be safe, but it was still a thrill to look over the precipice.

 
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 82 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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