Yosemite; Lyell Fork, Merced River, Half Dome, Tuolumne Meadows, July 17, 2010
|
|
|
IMG_4773.JPG5 views
|
|
IMG_4775.JPG5 viewsMerced Lake has a ranger station and a High Sierra Camp that packs in tourists from Yosemite Valley. The mule-trains chew up the trail and litter it with dung. Our destination for this evening is Little Yosemite Valley, below the back of Half Dome, just coming into view on the right horizon. It is quite a ways yet, and as usual, it is getting late.
|
|
IMG_4776.JPG5 viewsAt 8:20 pm we opt to continue past Echo Canyon, entering a section where the trail crosses open granite slopes high above the Merced River in the narrow canyon below. Lenticular clouds appear to the northwest. The plan is to reach good camping below the footbridge just above Bunnell Cascade.
|
|
IMG_4777.JPG5 viewsOur camp was comfortable, but a bit close to our neighbors; the problem with getting closer to the trailhead. We get an early start for the backpacker campground in Little Yosemite Valley above Nevada Falls, so we can find a "site" and day hike into Yosemite Valley.
|
|
IMG_4778.JPG3 viewsBunnell Cascade; the first of two steep drops on the Merced River within a mile of one another.
|
|
IMG_4781.JPG3 viewsCouds of water bathe the granite apron at the bottom of Nevada Falls.
|
|
IMG_4783.JPG2 views
|
|
IMG_4780.JPG1 viewsHaving left our heavy packs behind in the backpacker campground, we arrive at the brink of Nevada Falls. Entering the seemingly tranquil pools upstream of the footbridge has resulted in numerous park visitors being swept over the falls. We opt to descend the steeper "Mist Trail", and return by the longer Muir Tail with its grand views.
|
|
IMG_4788.JPG1 viewsVernal Falls from the "Mist Trail".
|
|
IMG_4790.JPG1 viewsAs long as sufficient water pours over Vernal Falls, and the sun is shining, the rainbow is always present.
|
|
IMG_4797.JPG2 viewsThe "Mist Trail" is best early in the season. It can drench hikers, but is usually welcomed by those ascending the steep rock steps on a warm day. As long as I can remember, I have always seen a rainbow here. This photo is on our return trip, after our whirlwind tour on the Valley floor. a little over 5 hours after the previous photo was taken. Low angle frontal light intensifies the rainbow and the green grass. I didn't end up taking any photos from the Valley floor!
|
|
IMG_4799.JPG4 viewsWe took a short cut trail just above Vernal Falls that joins the John Muir Trail above the worst section of tedious switchbacks. Clouds of spray from Nevada Falls rain on the trail, backlit by the setting sun.
|
|
| 131 files on 11 page(s) |
 |
|
|
5 | |
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Login
Back to Main Gallery
Album list
Last uploads
Last comments
Most viewed
Top rated
My Favorites
Search
