Yosemite Blog

Here’s an article from the Manteca Bulletin that gives a pretty good description what it’s like in Yosemite right now.

Manteca Bulletin: “Avoiding Yosemite Valley on Memorial Day weekend has been standard advice for years.
It is when the tourist season officially starts with a crush of Bay Area folks joining visitors from around the world who start flocking to John Muir’s beloved crown jewel of the Sierra and make exploring the valley floor about as much fun as joining the shopping crowds at 6 o’clock the morning after Thanksgiving.

But you might want to rethink embracing such wisdom at least this year.

Late snowfall combined with warm spring rain a week ago has turned every trail to a waterfall in the park into sets for wannabe Fred Astaires. And its not a light rain either.

A hundred feet from the observation platform at the edge of Bridalveil Fall into a torrential downpour of heavy rain from the powerful spray. The 620-foot drop that usually combines with wind this time of year to send a delicate mist to tickle the face of those near the observation rail is anything but delicate.

The last 50 feet of the asphalt path is a mini-stream. The closer you get to the observation deck, the deeper it gets. The final dozen feet to the deck’s concrete is literally flowing with water past the ankles of drenched hikers. The water pelting those who brave reaching the deck is more like baptism by bucket after bucket after bucket.”

Half Dome Cable Ladder

Originally uploaded by Chuck Rogers.

Here’s another great shot from Chuck Rogers.

The climb to the top of Half Dome is one of the more popular destinations for hikers during the summer months and sometimes it can be quite crowded at the top.

Sorry if you noticed anything funky in the last half our. We conducted a bit of site maintenance. Hopefully this will speed things up and make it better for everyone all around.

Thanks.

loyd

Inside of a car it’s easy to miss much of the beauty the Sierra Nevada has to offer. From an open top vehicle or on a motorcycle; however, you become immersed in the world around you.

Here’s an interesting article I came across about motorcycle touring down the Eastern Sierra.

IOL.co.za: “With gigantic mountain ranges and valleys in the western United States detours of 100 kilometres are small by comparison. Massive trees, 4 00 years old, tower 80 metres into the sky and the roads often appear to vanish into the distant horizon.
“

Marty the Marmot

Originally uploaded by Chuck Rogers.

Here’s a great photo from Chuck Rogers of one of the Yosemite High Country’s more colorful residents, the yellow bellied marmot.

This one seems to have the same expression that all of the marmots I’ve happened across have. They seem to be thinking, “big stupid humans”.

Usually we both stop and stare at each other for a number of minutes then we each shrug and go about our business.

I like marmots. Definitely one of my more favorite residents of Yosemite.