Yosemite, Day 4

We’d planned to hike to Mirror Lake today but rain was forecast. . . and we got a late, lazy start. . . so we ended up exploring the paths behind the Ahwahnee Majestic Yosemite. Lots and lots of pictures . . . 

 Nestled in the arms of granite. The back lawn.

 Outdoor patio behind the tea room

 Cloudy and cold but no rain!

 I love Yosemite’s stone walls



 Merced River (I think . . .)



 Strainer - a new word I learned at Wednesday  evening’s program (hubby already knew it from his SAR days). It keeps large objects (like bodies) from continuing to float down the river. Gruesome but interesting.

 Sugar cone pine. World record cone - 10+ pounds - was found in Yosemite.

 He looks so small . . .

 Roots

 More roots. There were so many trees down throughout the park, from both the drought and this year’s floods.

 

 More debris - and future home for wildlife?


 Stone bridge with view of El Cap



 Things you want to be *empty* when you see them in the forest.





 Heading back to the Ahwahnee 

 Pacific dogwoods look spectacular, especially with a backdrop of cedar

 Between the main hotel and the guest cabins

 Things you don’t expect to see in the forest.

 These trees were everywhere. The ranger said they bloom for a very short time. So glad we got to see them.



 Opposite side of the Ahwahnee Majestic

 A little history

 Front view

Yosemite Tram Tour

Today’s open-air tram tour of the valley floor was a first for us - and a definite hit. 

 Wind blown but happy

We learned so much and thoroughly enjoyed the two hours of storytelling from our ranger guide. 

Then tonight we went to a 1.5 hour presentation by a senior ranger from the Yosemite Search and Rescue team. Amazing what they accomplish - and how a second of inattention (or stupidity) can have such horrifying consequences. 

 Cathedral Rock

 El Capitan through the trees

 Meadow at Cathedral Rock

 Majestic El Capitan, El Cap for short

 The heart of El Capitan

 Bridal Veil Falls, from across the Merced River

 My favorite view of Bridal Veil

 Aromatic cedar trees, not sequoias

 Granite bridge on the Merced. Most granite for construction projects is brought in from Georgia since it is closest in color to Yosemite granite.

 Overlook at Tunnel View. From the left, El Capitan, Clouds Rest, Half Dome, Three Sentinels, Bridal Veil Falls.

 Silver Strand Falls at Tunnel View (look up)

 Our chariot

 Bridal Veil Falls and stream

 Ribbon Falls, the largest single drop waterfall in the world.

 River view on our way to Half Dome

 Meadow view of Yosemite Falls

 Dramatic Half Dome. The dark clouds made it look even more spectacular.

 The Arches at Dome (not Half Dome)

 We know we’re almost “home” when we can see Yosemite Falls

 A “private moment” with mama deer and her two babies. (She’s peeing 🤭) Took this shot for Addy!