I was not planning to visit Yosemite National Park, but after seeing some footage of the waterfalls, I checked the reservation system for any last minute cancellations. Bingo! I snagged one weeknight in a tent cabin which allowed me to take a quick trip to one of the crown jewels of the National Park System during my vacation.
Half Dome with Wildflowers
Like Lake Tahoe, I have visited Yosemite many times over the years. It has always been a popular place with my family, and the sheer beauty of this glacier valley remains impressive. Half Dome is the star of the valley with many pictures of this iconic rock posted on dorm walls and Instagram feeds across the globe. Late afternoon provides the best light to really capture the beauty of it, and I hope I did it justice.
Water created Yosemite, so this is the place to see water at work! All the winter snow is melting creating high levels on the untamed Merced River flowing through the valley and cranking the waterfalls to near peak levels. I have seen the falls at near trickles during dry seasons, but they are flowing at full steam creating a nice background rush across the valley. Bridal Veil and Yosemite Falls are popular, but even the smaller ones are running high creating some unique and rare sights.
Tent Cabin Interior
Lodging in Yosemite is also historic. Early visitors had access to opulent lodges and basic tents to fit most budgets. Before propane and camper shells, travelers had to use facilities at their destination. Even so, the lodges were well prepared being virtual resorts with many creature comforts even in the most remote locations. This tradition continues with the lodges and camping in the valley complete with hot food, cold ice cream, and the weakest LTE coverage you can find! My tent cabin was basic and cold requiring lots of clothing to block out the cold and the snoring of my neighbor.
Hello!
It was a bit tough to cram Yosemite into one night, but I was able to see the highlights in a quick tour. I have hiked and driven through most of the park over the years, but it was nice to play tourist during the peak season. Going on a weekday avoided the epic traffic jams, but I was still playing "human Tetris" with the hikers on the transit buses running at peak capacity. The creature comforts were rustic and expensive, but worth every penny to enjoy such a beautiful place. Please enjoy the rest of my photos below.
Great pictures!
ReplyDelete