Nomad Visits to Yosemite

Awhile back we went to Columbia and Peru with BajaKen, had a jaunt through Morocco courtesy of Ken Bondy, and toured Arizona with DavidK and BajaAngel.

Today I'd like to share with you the grand beauty of Yosemite National Park. I invite anyone with images from Yosemite or the Sierras to feel free to join in, add your photos to this thread.

I'll begin with photos from my husband's Half Dome climb, as certainly they are the most spectacular images of the group.

This trip/climb had been organized by my girlfriend to celebrate her 50th birthday. She trained daily for 6 months before the climb. My disability prevented my from joining the group, but I sent Steve as my proxy. He trained one day - said it made all his muscles sore. I had some concern for him on the day the group left Berkeley.

The group did the climb over a 3-day period, camping along the way. Steve was feeling ill those first two days, felt better on day 3 and so did this entire climb alone - valley floor to top of the dome and back - in one day. He left late, about 7:30 a.m. He was blessed with a full moon for the hike down, and walked into camp about 1 a.m. The following photos show what an incredible adventure he had that day. I hope you enjoy them.

The challenge is Half Dome:

It's a long hike up from the valley floor. Views along the way are stunning... first you see the waterfalls from a distance, then later the trail skirts the edges of the falls.

Arriving at the back of the Dome Steve got a good look at the last portion of the hike - up and over the back of the Dome. Many folks quit at this spot. Perhaps you'll see why.

Look carefully to see the long skinny poles/chain to help you pull yourself straight up.





Stacks of leather gloves are provided at the bottom of the ladder.

After the ladder climb comes a trek through frozen snow.





And as soon as you pass the snow cap, folks fall to the rock with a need to rest. All except for this one dude... he seems to have had the need to phone home.

And now for the main reason one might want to do this grueling climb.... the view from the top.

These folks are sitting a bit back from the edge. Steve sat ON the edge, with his legs hanging over the side. Said it was awesome at first, but after about 15 minutes he suddenly began to develop a fear of moving. Took him awhile to slide backwards and stand.

This is too incredible, I feel almost as if I were there...WoW

Yosemite National Park is famous for its many waterfalls.

There's Yosemite Falls - upper and lower:




And Vernal Falls (at least, I think this is Vernal):

When you visit these falls from the valley floor or along a trail, most always you leave pretty wet. Some folks wear rain jackets with the hoods up, some brave it and leave looking like they've attended a wet t-shirt contest, but we felt the Garbage Bag Girlz had the easiest/best solution.

There are also lots of bears in Yosemite... many of which wander into camp grounds in search of food. The usual approach is to try to capture the bear and return it to the high country. On a recent camping trip, I learned how that's done....

The Bear Trap.
If I have this figured correctly, the steel drum cage is hauled to an appropriate location. The pink box on the front is removed, filled with food, and with lid open is pushed to the back of the cage. The round door (right end of cage in photo) is raised, but falls closed after the bear enters and rattles around getting the food from the open box. Then said bear in trap is pulled to a good location for release, and the larger square back door (left side on photo) is opened for bear's release. Perhaps not so fascinating to you, but I found it pretty darn interesting.

Yosemite and the Sierras are great for bird watching. While hiking, I saw this lovely Acorn Woodpecker:

Spectacular, Nena
Although I have been many times, I have never made it to the dome...now I dont have to!

Bruce - read my opening paragraph first post.... several Nomads have taken us on a non-Baja vacation recently.

Coming down out of Yosemite, one can explore the Eastern Sierras. They're especially beautiful in the autumn, when all the Aspens turn to gold. When I see this road, I feel the need to follow it.





By following the road to the many lakes and streams and by getting up in the frosty pre-dawn hours, the simple sights to behold are, well, wondrous. I loved the steam rising form this stream one chill morning.

I'm so happy that some of you are enjoying this collection of photos. Be sure to understand that the images from the Half Dome Climb and the waterfall landscapes were all shot by Steve, the real photog in the family. The remainder are my little snapshots.

Just across the road from the Eastern Sierras is an incredible salt water lake filled with tufa formations. It's name is Mono Lake. We caught this gorgeous sunrise on the way to explore it the following morning.

You are now promoted to "Hall monitor"...

Thanks Bob

Bob, I want a promotion too.

Natalie,
For 25 years, while living in Sacramento, Yosemite was on the agenda twice a year, in the spring and fall. Tent camped, stayed in the Curry village cabin tents ( froze our burro off ), motorhome and camper in the lower river campground, etc.
Besides the Monterey peninsula, one of my favorite places in California.
Thanks very much for bringing back beautiful memories.
And the pictures are spectacular.

Not related to Baja???

Sure it is----just follow along

Looking down on the Eastern Sierra from the Whites.


The Aspens near Lundy Lake looking down on Mono Lake




Interesting late fall afternoon shadows on the rocks at Convict Lake



Ah, and the fairly new Lone Pine Movie museum--they were still painting the outside mural ---Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills where Under Mexicali Stars was shot in 1950 as well as Down Mexico Way in about 1940----see, it is all related to Mexico and Baja.



And the famous High Sierra Car driven by Bogart---hey, arn't those mountains still the Sierras in Baja?



Besides, California is only Alta California.

Diane

[Edited on 12-11-2007 by jdtrotter]

Excellent photos, Diane. I love the White Mountains, Mono Lake, the the ghost town of Bodie.

Those bear traps, Pompano - thanks for sharing. I especially like that bear with the bare legs and wearing white sox.... the one hiding behind the open trap door. Hairy bear, he is.

Nena

Yosemite in winter

A few years back I was lucky enough to be in yosemite valley during a snowstorm.

Last signs of previous summer

On the Merced

pine roots getting first snow

Ice along the shore of the Merced

Oak in snowstorm

I liked this rock. Do you?

It's silent and calm now

I guess I'm just a tree lover

Frosted branches along the Merced

omigosh Igor, when I hoped someone would post winter shots... well, I had no idea... those photos are incredible!

The trees - all of 'em - are beautiful, have an almost spiritual quality to some of them. But that Ice on the Merced has to be my hands down favorite image - for the moment anyway.

You and Diane have helped me make up my mind. Gonna get out of my snow suit and winter boots and head to Yosemite for my winter get-away. Thank you both so very much.

Nena

Missed your post, Roger, while I was posting. Thanks for updating my winter wish list... now I wanta got to Montana, also.

Nena

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Awesome pictures everyone. Anyone see a giant frozen oarfish in this one or is it just past my bedtime?

Diane - Lundy Lake... isn't that just the most gorgeous drive and place to be for autumn color? And I love your picture of the area around Convict Lake... we used to hike around there, making up stories about lurking bad guys along the way.

And this news about the High Sierra Theater and Bogart's car - very Baja interesting. Thanks you much for telling us that.

A merry Christmas to you, too, Igor. Thanks for the excellent present. And btw.... the oak in a snowstorm along with that very first image are now tied for ones I like best, along with the Ice one mentioned earlier.

Nena

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann Awhile back we went to Columbia and Peru with BajaKen, had a jaunt through Morocco courtesy of Ken Bondy, and toured Arizona with DavidK and BajaAngel. Today I'd like to share with you the grand beauty of Yosemite National Park. I invite anyone with images from Yosemite or the Sierras to feel free to join in, add your photos to this thread. I'll begin with photos from my husband's Half Dome climb, as certainly they are the most spectacular images of the group. This trip/climb had been organized by my girlfriend to celebrate her 50th birthday. She trained daily for 6 months before the climb. My disability prevented my from joining the group, but I sent Steve as my proxy. He trained one day - said it made all his muscles sore. I had some concern for him on the day the group left Berkeley. The group did the climb over a 3-day period, camping along the way. Steve was feeling ill those first two days, felt better on day 3 and so did this entire climb alone - valley floor to top of the dome and back - in one day. He left late, about 7:30 a.m. He was blessed with a full moon for the hike down, and walked into camp about 1 a.m. The following photos show what an incredible adventure he had that day. I hope you enjoy them. The challenge is Half Dome:

how could anyone hate snow?????????????

Baja and Yosemite