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My time in Yosemite was incredible, you live in a different time, time goes slowly. I felt it on the drive in, on 141 about 8:30 in the morning. Rolling hills, the sun lighting the fields to pure gold, the layers and layers of mountains as far as the eye could see, a little obscured in the hazy morning light, the sharp, dark relief of the evergreens. I didn't quite get that I'd be in the Sierras for a long time before I hit the park. Magical. Fun driving too, I was thrilled with how my little car hugged the road, winding around and around and up and up.
My first afternoon, my legs felt like lead getting used to the altitude. Almost everyday I had a slight headache, but other that that felt great. Didn't factor in how cold it would feel that high up, but it was gorgeous. 30's to 70's--if you're in the sun. Snow still on the ground in various places from last week's snowfall.
Hungy as a 15 year old farm hand. Big breakfasts, dinners, snacks.
I felt pretty fit, nothing is sore, shoes were perfect. I huffed and puffed a bit the day we went to Sentinel Rock, climbing that rock, but I made it. There was a last minute plan to climb Half Dome on Sunday and Monday, camp in ranger's tent halfway. I was very tempted, my friend would have lent me everything I needed, but I'm not sure I was ready physically to back pack that extensively. I'm very motivated to become more experienced with hiking and backpacking. I'd like to be more familiar with trails and sensing directions when in the woods. I was on my own sometimes and found myself tensing up when I realized I was somewhere other than where I thought I was. It's a little scary and daunting. The woods are big and it's cold out there. It was challenging for me and I see I can learn a lot and most of it all really appeals to me.
My friend has worked in more national parks than I knew existed. She's travels to other countries every winter and usually volunteers somewhere, backpacks, hangs out. Her experience is vast and seems unbelievable. She's worked in the South Pole and Alaska. Spent years, if you add it up, in Tanzania. On and on and on. And she's a back woods ranger. Pretty cool stuff. I can't wait to hear where she lands next because I will definitely visit.
I got back last night, still processing it all. Tomorrow I go back to work and the dentist. So thrilled I had my little vacation. It was truly like being in a different world.
Some of my pictures follow. Nothing too technical, just my vacation pics with my little camera.
My friend's cabin in Wawona-south end of Yosemite
Still life--living room & fresh veggies I brought
Tiny waterfall at lower Chilnualna Falls, Wawona
Me at dry portion of Merced River, Wawona
Mckurk Meadow
Through the forest and on to Taft Point
Awesome views as we approach Taft Point, around here, we also saw a young bear within about 100 yards up a little incline. It seemed as curious as we were and we were lucky to get a good long look before he ambled off.
sublime...no words exist...
The formations on the right are called The 3 Brothers, we're looking 2000 to 3000 feet down to Yosemite Valley
Looking across the way as head towards the fissures, the little rock sticking up looks like a mushroom
It's difficult to capture these fissures, that's my shadow, you can see if you're brave enough to bend over it, 3000 feet down, it's heady up here.
This is dry Yosemite Falls, the triangular portion in the center
The next few are the sunset from Sentinel Rock, around 7000 feet elevation. I know now that when you're high up, the sun takes a long time to set completely. We could see the coastal hills, a crystal clear night. After the sunset, there were the stars, but you'll have to imagine them, my camera wouldn't have captured them. Lots and lots and lots of stars, the Milky Way, etc. From up here, we could see the lights of rock climbers sleeping on El Capitan. We could see Half Dome too.
My friend the ranger! and me at the view from Tunnel View on 41, on our way to the Nevada Falls trailhead; they're going on to Half Dome, I'm hiking back to my car after a few hours to head home.
Granite staircase, big steps, sharp incline, up and up and up
Vernona Falls--not completely dry and if you squint and use your imagination you can see the rainbow towards the bottom
Glimpse of Nevada Falls. It's time for me to leave Yosemite for now.
My first afternoon, my legs felt like lead getting used to the altitude. Almost everyday I had a slight headache, but other that that felt great. Didn't factor in how cold it would feel that high up, but it was gorgeous. 30's to 70's--if you're in the sun. Snow still on the ground in various places from last week's snowfall.
Hungy as a 15 year old farm hand. Big breakfasts, dinners, snacks.
I felt pretty fit, nothing is sore, shoes were perfect. I huffed and puffed a bit the day we went to Sentinel Rock, climbing that rock, but I made it. There was a last minute plan to climb Half Dome on Sunday and Monday, camp in ranger's tent halfway. I was very tempted, my friend would have lent me everything I needed, but I'm not sure I was ready physically to back pack that extensively. I'm very motivated to become more experienced with hiking and backpacking. I'd like to be more familiar with trails and sensing directions when in the woods. I was on my own sometimes and found myself tensing up when I realized I was somewhere other than where I thought I was. It's a little scary and daunting. The woods are big and it's cold out there. It was challenging for me and I see I can learn a lot and most of it all really appeals to me.
My friend has worked in more national parks than I knew existed. She's travels to other countries every winter and usually volunteers somewhere, backpacks, hangs out. Her experience is vast and seems unbelievable. She's worked in the South Pole and Alaska. Spent years, if you add it up, in Tanzania. On and on and on. And she's a back woods ranger. Pretty cool stuff. I can't wait to hear where she lands next because I will definitely visit.
I got back last night, still processing it all. Tomorrow I go back to work and the dentist. So thrilled I had my little vacation. It was truly like being in a different world.
Some of my pictures follow. Nothing too technical, just my vacation pics with my little camera.
My friend's cabin in Wawona-south end of Yosemite
Still life--living room & fresh veggies I brought
Tiny waterfall at lower Chilnualna Falls, Wawona
Me at dry portion of Merced River, Wawona
Mckurk Meadow
Through the forest and on to Taft Point
Awesome views as we approach Taft Point, around here, we also saw a young bear within about 100 yards up a little incline. It seemed as curious as we were and we were lucky to get a good long look before he ambled off.
sublime...no words exist...
The formations on the right are called The 3 Brothers, we're looking 2000 to 3000 feet down to Yosemite Valley
Looking across the way as head towards the fissures, the little rock sticking up looks like a mushroom
It's difficult to capture these fissures, that's my shadow, you can see if you're brave enough to bend over it, 3000 feet down, it's heady up here.
This is dry Yosemite Falls, the triangular portion in the center
The next few are the sunset from Sentinel Rock, around 7000 feet elevation. I know now that when you're high up, the sun takes a long time to set completely. We could see the coastal hills, a crystal clear night. After the sunset, there were the stars, but you'll have to imagine them, my camera wouldn't have captured them. Lots and lots and lots of stars, the Milky Way, etc. From up here, we could see the lights of rock climbers sleeping on El Capitan. We could see Half Dome too.
My friend the ranger! and me at the view from Tunnel View on 41, on our way to the Nevada Falls trailhead; they're going on to Half Dome, I'm hiking back to my car after a few hours to head home.
Granite staircase, big steps, sharp incline, up and up and up
Vernona Falls--not completely dry and if you squint and use your imagination you can see the rainbow towards the bottom
Glimpse of Nevada Falls. It's time for me to leave Yosemite for now.
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When hiking in mountains and valleys it's easy to lose your sense of direction, especially mid day, with all the twisting and turning trails must do to traverse hills and avoid treacherous steeps.
If you don't already know how to read and use a compass I'd suggest learing. You can probably do so with online resources. A decent compass costs under $30.
Using a compass and a a trail map makes it very easy to keep your bearings and recover should you wander off course. I taught my boys how to navigate the outdoors many years ago.
I'm glad you had a good time. You needed it.
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The images are key. Trying to explain the lesson without the landscape photo would take 1000 words.
When my son was in Cub Scouts I organized a project to give the den mom a break. I first taught the kids how to use a compass, then a map, then combined the two.
I then made a map of a local park, complete with the lake, landmarks and distinguishing features. I gave each kid a map, a compass and scavanger hunt directions.
I hid their annual scouting awards in the woods for them to find. It was a lot of work for me but the kids loved it.
Sorry, I kind of went off on a related tangent.
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I'm glad you checked out the site. What a great project and lesson you gave those kids. I'm envious of them! But if kids can do it, then I can? LOL. I told another friend about the website and what you said about using the compass and she's going to do it too. I'm so directionally challenged, it would be great to feel more confident on a trail. The Bay Area has lots of great places to hike that are very well marked and difficult to get lost on, so it will make it easy to practice on. It's kind of cool to be able to want and to learn a completely new thing, so thanks again.
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In AZ there are many hikers lost on trails, searches and rescues follow. In most cases they had a trail map but no compass. Some had neither.
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