Yosemite Valley

Friday, Dec 2nd, we travelled through Yosemite National Park to Yosemite Village, a 27 mile but one hour drive because of twists and turns and switchbacks. Already many of the roads within the park are closed to traffic and warnings to carry chains are posted.

From Tunnel Vista , these stunning rock formations rise above the Yosemite Village floor 4-6000 feet. El Capitan on the left of Pic 1, described as a "massive granite monolith" measures 3593 feet from base to summit. Rock climbers from all over the globe come to scale this rock face.

Cathedral Rock appears further away but the most famous and distinctive monument is Half Dome, the curved rock on the right of this picture, a strenuous 4733 foot upward climb, not for "the faint of heart". Even pioneer women, although remaining in the family background, hiked this with the advent of bloomers in the late 18oo's.

The year round Bridal Veil Falls, plunges over this precipitous cliff. Winds swirling about the cliff lift and blow the falling water in a delicate free-fall. Although this can easily be seen by car, the best viewpoint is a short hike to its base. Yosemite Falls can also be seen from the valley floor. Yosemite Village includes several businesses...the Welcome Centre, a lodge, a museum and cemetery of pioneers, a medical facility, and the Ansel Adam's gallery of photography and other art exhibits. April - June is reported to be the best time for a visit as waterfalls rage and wildflowers abound. By July, many of the water features are dried up and will only recharge from rain or later, snow accumulation. Because we had an hour's return trip, we had to forgo any hikes in the valley, with a promise to return soon, perhaps earlier in the Fall, a benefit of travelling fulltime.