Park Views, Yosemite National Park

by shivan
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the western entrance

The western part of the park is densely forested, the climate is temperate.
This picture is taken along the road that descends towards the valley. There are a number of vista points along the road.
Don't miss any of those points because there really is a stunning view from there.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm


	Park Views: Olmsted Point	Tip Rating:

By zrim

on November 1, 2003

Olmsted Point

I strongly encourage a daytrip to the High Sierra via Tioga Road. It is quite a drive and with the winding and twisting roads it takes about an hour and a half from Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadow. Don't despair during the first two-thirds of the drive as you wind and wind and twist and turn with nary a vista to keep your interest. Rest assured there will be a payoff--and the first such payoff is at Olmsted Point. From this vantage point you can look back towards Yosemite Valley and see Half Dome from a different vantage point. You will also get good views of Cathedral Peak, Tenaya Peak and Tenaya Lake.

As you take in your surroundings at this elevation of 8000 feet you will note that you are pretty close to the tree line and that life hangs by a thread at this altitude as compared to the lush forests of the valleys.


	Park Views: The Blue and the Gray (Tenaya Lake)	Tip Rating:

By zrim

on November 1, 2003

Tenaya Lake

The deep blue of an alpine lake, the stone cold gray of the Yosemite rocks and the brilliant blue of a perfect autumn sky. Tenaya Lake may be the most peaceful spot in Yosemite that can be reached by automobile. Why not park the car, take off your shoes and relax on the beach while pondering the blues and the grays of the high country.


	Park Views: Another view from the western entrance	Tip Rating:

By shivan

on September 20, 2004

by shivan
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another view from the western
entrance

this is another view from the western entrance.
Too bad we missed the best hour of the day to enjoy the colours this incredible place can show to the visitors.
I planned all the journey to reach the places I wanted to visit, or visit again, at sunset.
Here that was not possible.
Wanting to visit the death valley the day after, we had to cross the park and I knew that that was a long drive, so arrival to the park had to be anticipated at the early afternoon.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm


	Park Views: Taft Point	Tip Rating:

By zrim

on October 26, 2003

an overview of Taft Point

Taft point is reached via a 1.1 mile hike from the Glacier Point Road. The hike itself is a pleasant little walk through the woods with little to see other than trees, jays and ground squirrels. However, the payoff at the end of the trail is well worth the time spent reaching the destination. Taft Point may be the best overlook in the park.

Taft point itself is a triangular piece of granite that reaches up thousands of feet over the Yosemite Valley. It is a tapered column so that as you peer over the edge, there is nothing between you and the valley floor. Nothing but a few thousand feet of air. For those that are afraid of heights (like me!) it is a challenge to even approach the edge of the Yosemite wall to take a look over the side.

The following photos and tips should give you a good idea of what it feels like on Taft Point.


	Park Views: Take this hiker for instance (Taft Point)	Tip Rating:

By zrim

on October 26, 2003

"hello, I'm going to fall
off the cliff now"

What is this guy thinking? "I think I'll just walk out on that narrow outcropping, no fence to prevent me from hurtling over the sides and falling thousands and thousands of feet to my death as I am impaled upon a pointy cedar having reached terminal velocity."

I got the shudders just looking at the fool go out on the ledge and prance around like some kind of nutter.


	Park Views: Fires	Tip Rating:

By shivan

on September 20, 2004

by shivan
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fires

I didn't take pictures of that area, but, driving towards the Yosemite Valley, there is a large valley where there are clear signs of a big fire that destroyed a large part of the forest.
Life is growing again there, but so many skeketons of dead trees cover such a large area, many hills, that a bad feeling of sadness takes you while passing through

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm


	Park Views: A more sane way to look over the edge (Taft Point)	Tip Rating:

By zrim

on October 26, 2003

careful!

We see two hikers employing the zrim method of peering over the precipice. The proper use of the zrim method is to lie flat on your belly about fifteen to twenty feet from the edge and slowly crawl up the escarpment until reaching the edge (by the way there is no shame in not reaching the edge), take a cautious look over the edge and then crawl backwards the same fifteen or so feet before once again taking to your feet. No sudden movements, please.


	Park Views: Liberty Cap as seen from Emerald Pool	Tip Rating:

Updated By zrim

on November 2, 2003

Libert Cap and Emerald
Pool

At the top of Vernal Falls there is a pool of snow melt called Emerald Pool. There are plenty of warning signs telling hikers to keep out. Apparently some people have taken a dip in the Emerald Pool and been sucked into the drainage and over the cliff down Vernal Falls. Liberty Cap makes its first appearance behind the Emerald Pool. The Nevada Falls cannot be seen in this photo, blocked by trees, but the falls are just off the right flank of Liberty Cap.


	Park Views: Yosemite Chapel	Tip Rating:

By Ischyros

on August 18, 2003

by Ischyros
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Yosemite Chapel

This chapel is the only building remaining of the original Yosemite Village. Before flooding forced the park service to relocate the entire Yosemite Village out of the way of the river, it used to sit along the banks just west of Sentinal Bridge. The chapel has been restored and reparied from flood damage and is still used to religious services. It can make for beautiful photos.