We drove through beautiful areas of California on our way to Yosemite National Park. Everything is brown, but beautiful. We stayed at a historic lodge in Wawona and didn’t leave the park boundaries the entire time we were there.
We hit up Glacier point and Tioga road the day before they closed due to winter storms coming in! The views of the valley and half dome from Glacier point were amazing! We could also see forest fires currently burning and the smoke from the fires reduced visibility in the park somewhat.
We drove the entire length of Tioga Road and hiked the ~2 mile trail to Gaylor Lake (starting at 9,945 ft.) with awesome views of this alpine lake and surrounding peaks and the Dana Meadows below. Then we went down into the Tuolumne Meadows and hiked (~2 miles) Lembert Dome – through the woods a bit and then up along an exposed granite dome! Amazing views of the Tuolumne Meadows, Tuolumne River and beyond. It was exhilarating (and maybe scary) climb along the top and side of the granite dome. Lembert dome probably ended up as our favorite hike in the park!
We strolled through the Tuolumne Meadow across the river and to Soda Springs – where carbonated salty water comes bubbling out of the ground!
The sun was quickly setting and we arrived at Olmsted Overlook just in time to see the beginning of sunset with half dome in the distance.
We hiked the Valley Loop around the Yosemite Valley floor over two days. Loved seeing the maple, dogwood, and oak deciduous trees in fall color along with so many different conifers! Priscilla especially likes the incense-cedar with its cinnamon colored furrowed bark and 3 pronged pine cones. One note, the signage is Yosemite is pretty crappy. This loop is supposedly 13 miles in total but we hiked 20 miles along it and even skipped a part of it… so nope, that’s wrong.
We strolled through the Happy Isle Nature Trail. We also hiked up to Mirror Lake (under Half Dome) which is pretty dry this time of year. We really enjoyed the east end of the Valley, the tree cover was different and there were a lot more boulders in the landscape (lots of them had white chalk on them from where climbers have practiced).
We also got some close up encounters with mule deer which were pretty cool. The deer clearly love it here and have a good thing going because there were soooo many.
We took a rest from hiking to explore the Indian Village, Yosemite Museum, Visitor Center displays and Ansel Adams Gallery. It was fascinating to learning about the geologic and cultural history of all the people who have called the Valley home. We may have done some daydreaming about how we could live in the valley. Seriously though, how can we be one of the people who lives in the Yosemite Village? (googled it already, not happening).
Before leaving for Sequoia we did a quick walk around the Wawona Meadow Trail – it was an overcast morning but seemed to be clearing. It didn’t and we got soaked. However, it was a nice, easy, forested Nature Trail with info signage all along it. It was nice to get a walk in before a long day in the car.
Highlights of Yosemite National Park
- Exploring the high country meadows
- Lembert Dome hike
- Yosemite Valley Loop
- Freaking Everything
These photos are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
Was Sam there?
I’ve been trying to remember that name since we were there… kept thinking Yosemite John. Thanks