Yosemite National Park: A Glaciated Wonderland

Four million people a year visit Yosemite National Park in central California on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.  We went this November for a quick trip up to see the change of seasons and to avoid the crowds that jam up the Park during the summer months.  Autumn is a beautiful time to admire the granite polished cliffs and imposing rock formations that dominate the Yosemite Valley.  Spring is the time to go if you want to see the world-famous waterfalls; in fall, they are mostly dry.

Washburn Point is a nice place to walk around to get an amazing view of Half-Dome, the most recognized symbol of Yosemite.

Half-Dome rises 5,000 feet off of the Yosemite Valley and can be seen from many parts of the Park.

Many people attempt to climb to the top.  It takes an enormous amount of physical fitness, along with the grace of a cat to conquer this mountain.  In the summer months, there are cables to hang on to.  Up to 900 people a day hike up Half-Dome so it can get quite crowded.

It was so peaceful and quiet up here this time of the year and the temperatures were mild.  Behind me is Clark Mountain Range, named after Galen Clark, the first custodian of Yosemite from 1864 through 1896.

Here's another view of Half-Dome rising out of the surrounding glacier rounded mountains.  The granite on these rock formations is 87 million years old and towers 8,842 feet above sea level.

Most people visit Yosemite to see the fantastic waterfalls.  Autumn is not the time of year when they are in full-glory.  However, at Washburn Point, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls, made some pretty photographs.  I am looking forward to a Spring trip to really capture the magnificance of Yosemite's water falls.

Glacier Point is a 14 mile side-trip from the main Wawona highway, however, it is something you should definitely take time to visit on a trip to Yosemite.  Keep in mind, however, that the road to Glacier Point is closed after the first heavy snow fall and not reopened until late Spring.

Glacier Point is a top contender for the world's most spectular vistas.  If you only had a half-day to tour Yosemite, I would recommend stopping at Glacier Point.  In one location you can see the Yosemite Valley, Half-Dome, three waterfalls, the high Sierra mountain range, and educate yourself about the geology of the area at a Vistor's Center that is open during the summer months.

 Visitors marvel at the view from the geology hut at Glacier Point.

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Exhibits explain in detail how the rounded granite domes were formed through glacier action.  Ice that covered this area for one million years polished these cliffs over time and left the natural lakes that bless this land.

During the high season, this visitor center has rangers that will give intrepretative talks and answer questions.

In the off-season, the Glacial Point Trail is well-marked with many signs giving valuable information about the geology and history of this area.

The granite cliffs are so amazing.  Yosemite Village is a U-Shaped canyon.  These sheer cliffs are made of the hardest rock material: everything else was eroded away over the million year Ice-Age.

Look at how small the Ahwahnee Hotel in the Yosemite Village looks from here!

I could stay up here all day just looking off the edge of the mountain, but let's head down to the Valley and look at some of the wonders down there.

The drive is incredibly scenic and fun.

Here is the famous Yosemite Tunnel:

The reason why it is famous is because once you exit the tunnel, you are treated to one of the most photographed vistas on earth:

The massive El Capitan, the largest monolith of granite in the world, climbs 3,000 feet off the valley floor.

Only very experienced rock climbers tackle El Capitan.  Before 1958, it took an expedition of climbers seventeen months to climb to the top.  Since 1975, people have been conquering it in a single day.

I went on my honeymoon to Yosemite back in 1993 because I thought a place with waterfalls named Bridal Veil Falls must be the most romantic spot on earth.

Even after a long, dry summer, the Bridal Veil Falls are still wowing visitors.

The trail seems to inspire romance in couples:

I just played in the leaves.  Yellow oak leaves are a novelity for me living in San Bernardino where leaves fall off the trees in a single night during Santa Ana Winds season.

The Merced River is such a nice place to walk along and we've picniced there many times over the years.  It is an absolutely peaceful and serene place in the fall.  It's usually roaring with power.

Down in the Yosemite Valley, Autumn is a quiet time filled with warm colors and lengthening shadows.

I'll leave you with this autumn photo of Half-Dome taken from the Yosemite Valley Floor.

If you ever get the chance to visit California, do not pass up the opportunity to spend some time in Yosemite National Park.  The memories will last you the rest of your life.