Famous Tunnel View, Yosemite National Park

If you’ve seen many photos of Yosemite, then you’ve seen the photo taken from the Tunnel.  This is the view one sees when entering the park from Hwy 140, returning from Glacier Point, Wynonna, or Pioneer Village.  This turnout also makes a great phone booth for those who use cell phones.

You can see El Capitan and Half Dome.

Yosemite National Park, Glacier point views

One of Gary’s favorite places to go in Yosemite is Glacier Point.  Things sure have changed since our last visit.  We got to see people on top of Half Dome and a couple of rock climbers trying to make their way to the top of Half Dome.

Top of Nevada Falls.  In my younger days, I hiked all the way to the top of Nevada Falls.  Not much water this time of the year.

Vernal Falls.

Yosemite Valley view from Glacier Point.

Dry Upper Yosemite Falls

People on top of Half Dome

Half Dome

Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park

The Sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove are huge!!!!  Gary and I were there years ago and took the 7 mile tram ride.  We were planning on taking the tram ride again but the $25.50 per person charge was a little to steep for us.  So, we walked the first mile of the walking trail to see the trees known as the Bachelor, Grizzly, and the only remaining Tunnel Tree.  Great day.

Large Sequoia that fell many years ago.  Calvary troops used to ride into this section of the grove and line up in front of this tree to have their troop picture made.

This is the Bachelor tree.

Grizzly tree.  It is as tall as a 19 story building and as wide as a 747.  One of its upper limbs is wider than some of the smaller trees.

Tunnel tree.

We enjoyed watching this cute little guy.

Rock Climbers in Yosemite

We took a drive to Glacier Point.  We were able to see people on top of Half Dome and rock climbers making their way to the top of Half Dome.  On the way back to our rig, we stopped at El Capitan and watched some of the rock climbers there.

If you enlarge the picture, you can see the people on top of Half Dome.

There are 2 rock climbers in the bottom right side. 

These climbers were climbing El Capitan.  They had to spend the night before arriving at the top.

Pioneer Village, Yosemite National Park

I have always wanted to visit Pioneer Village in Yosemite.  Gary and I finally did that.  We were the only visitors there.  The employees were busy baking and having meetings so they were not talking about thing in the pioneer days.

 

They were busy baking apple crisps in the kitchen when we visited this Homestead.

This power room also served as a jail.

Their were a lot of buggies and wagons on display.

TT Yosemite Lakes

We are currently staying at the Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes Campground.  We are only 5 miles from the hwy 120 entrance into Yosemite. 

Yosemite

We are camped just about 5 miles from the hwy 120 entrance to Yosemite. Gary and I took a ride to the Valley Floor. Things have sure changed since we last visited Yosemite. We rode the shuttle, visited the Visitor's Center, walked the Miwuk village, had lunch, watched the movie, and bought a couple of books. Oh yes, I did take a few pictures. Yosemite Falls is non existant at this time of the year. Not very many people in the park. We will be going over Tioaga Pass and up to Glacier Point in the next few days.


This is Bridalveil Falls.


Half Dome.


You can see El Capitan on the left. This is the spot I really enjoy visiting.


We watched this coyote try to get across the river.

Camping at Dardanelle Resort

We camped 2 weeks at the Dardanelle Resort. We enjoyed the weather, nice and cool. We climbed the mountain behind us and were able to gather enough firewood to have a fire every night we were there. We met lots of great people. Even got to have dinner with our friends Fred and Ann. Gary caught and released over 150 trout while we were there. We made a trip to Kennedy Meadows and took a drive over Sonora pass. Before we retired, we took our vacation in this area for 15 years.


Gary really doesn't like to have to keep adding wood to the fire. This log, lasted all night long.


First day of fishing.

Kennedy Meadows, Ca

Gary spent his youth camping in and around Kennedy Meadows. We always enjoy walking over the hill to what is known as the second meadow. This was the first time we visited the area in September. I was amazed at how pretty the golden meadow was. Gary enjoyed the fishing, caught so many, he ran out of bait. We enjoyed lunch at the restaurant they have at Kennedy.


First view of the meadow and river coming down the hill.






One of the many fish Gary caught.

Sonora Pass, Hwy 108, Ca

Gary likes to fish the Walker River. To get to his fishing spot, we have to travel Hwy 108 over what is known as Sonora Pass. Sonora Pass is a windy road with 2 26% grades. We have never taken this route during September and were anxious to see what the pass would be like. Gary caught a few fish then we drove into Walker for lunch. Wonderful day.


Looking down on the Walker River.


Sure was a busy bee.


What do you think? Is Gary kissing the fish before he returns it to the river?