Yosemite (Day 1)




Driving through Nevada

We left Ely, Nevada and travelled west once again.  Today’s ride was around 6 hours which left plenty of time for our first day within Yosemite National Park.  The ride west from Ely was through the Great Basin area which is an empty and desolate area.  Probably what the area the night before looked like but, of course, it was night and we were a bit scared.

In California, near the Park

In the daylight it looks stark and unforgiving.  Aileen wondered why anyone would live in such a place and, guess what, not many seemed to live along the route we took (Route 6 west).  Occasionally we would see an isolated farm or a government testing range (I don’t even want to know what happens in these) but that’s it.

We did see a gentleman sitting at a rest stop (use the term very loosely) with no car anywhere in site.  The nearest town or even cross road was maybe 50 miles away.  We travelled past him doing 80 mph so no, we did not stop. 



The landscape stayed the same almost all the way to Yosemite – a mix of soft browns and red tones across both the flat areas and through the numerous small mountain ranges.  It is amazing how much land is dedicated as National Forest out this way.  The forests extend for hundreds of miles and then just change names to another national forest.  The east does not have anywhere close to this much “public” land.



Just outside Tioga Pass entrance

We continued through Nevada and as we approached Yosemite the landscape changed significantly.  The closer we got the more mountainous it became.  The last 50 miles before the park are as winding as within the park – that was another theme that became evident within and around Yosemite – the roads are so curvy that your average speed might be 25 to 30 mph so it takes awhile to get anywhere.



Anyway, the last stretch before the park was mountainous and the type of mountains even changed.  They became harder and more granite-like.  Through Nevada the hills all seemed to be weathering away in front of us where as near Yosemite they took on a stronger form, a more commanding form.



Just outside Tioga Pass entrance

We had one of the funniest 10 minutes of the trip as we got close to the park.  There were signs along the road saying “Dips in Road”.  Didn’t know what to expect but soon found out they were serious.  We had a roller coaster like ride for several miles and Aileen recorded it on video.  Listen to our voices/laughter in the video.





Tioga Pass

We entered the park through the east entrance at the Tioga Pass.  This whole area of the park is the highest and ranges in elevation from 8,000 to 10,000 feet.  At the first rest area we spoke with a gentleman and his family about different hikes and they recommended some in vicinity of Tioga Pass and some originating in Yosemite Valley.  After our first day driving through the park we realized we would not make it back to the Tioga Pass area – it took a solid two hours from this part of the park to the hotel we were staying in.  Oh well.

Tenaya Lake near Tioga Pass

Tenaya Lake

We stopped at Tenaya Lake first and got out to check out the view.  Beautiful high elevation lake.







We then stopped at Olmstead Point which was named after the famous landscape architect.  Seems Olmstead was instrumental in developing best practices for the sequoias in the park and park maintenance in general.  This lookout offered our first view of half-dome, a granite dome with one sheer face.  From this spot we could also see Cloud’s Rest.  We sat on rocks which felt like a natural amphitheater with the show being half-dome and the valley.  A very beautiful and peaceful spot.  We sat there for almost an hour and soaked it all in.  One of the best views / vantage points so far.




Check out the cool stickers....

Olmstead Point; Clouds Rest and Half-dome






Half-Dome from Olmstead Point

Still at Olmstead Point

Aileen being funny



Olmstead Point











Valley en route from Tioga to Yosemite Valley

We left Olmstead Point and travelled to Yosemite Valley.   This is a change in elevation from say 9,000 to 4,000 so the ride was winding and on a constant downgrade.  Even got to go through a few tunnels as we got close to the valley floor.


Yosemite Valley is the focal point of this park and that means people.  We got to the valley area around 6:30 so it was not too bad.  There is a main road the loops around within the valley which offers great views of the adjacent peaks including the famous El Capitan.  There are also numerous waterfalls off these peaks.

El Capitan







El Capitan



El Cap again






  
We left the valley and headed south to Oakhurst, a small town outside the park where our hotel was located.  It took 90 minutes to go from the valley to our hotel and Aileen was spent by the time we got to the hotel – more of those winding and narrow roads.  We talked about the roads quite a bit and agreed it was easier to be the driver instead of passenger because as passenger you weren’t in control and you had a view of the roadside which often times dropped out of sight.  We joked that Colleen would never make it on these roads.