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Yosemite (part 2)


Last week, I recounted my adventure of hiking up Yosemite’s Half Dome a fortnight ago. This week, I’m excited to show you more photos taken during a rather hazy moment in Yosemite . Just a few days after my visit, the park had to close entirely due to hazardous smoke levels. Keep this in mind as you view these images, as Yosemite is typically much more picturesque.

Yosemite - biking

Yosemite boasts an excellent array of walking and biking paths. Riding a bike is not only a fantastic way to enjoy the scenery, but it's also great for your health. Additionally, during a typical year, parking can be very limited, making it necessary to wait for crowded shuttle buses to navigate the park. While there are rental services for bikes in Yosemite, it’s best to bring your own if you can.

Yosemite - bear

Check out my first bear sighting in this picture! You can spot him slightly below and to the left of the image's center. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to notice my presence. He was relatively small, which initially made me concerned that his mother might be nearby. However, he appeared to be wandering solo.

Merced River

This photograph captures the Merced River . On my last trip to Yosemite, I witnessed people floating down the river on innertubes. This time, it was shallow enough to wade across without getting my knees wet. September is typically dry in Yosemite, with many waterfalls either completely dry or barely trickling. In my view, the ideal time to visit is during the spring, when the river flows abundantly, and before the influx of summer tourists.

Yosemite - Sequoia trees

Yosemite contains three distinct groves of Sequoia trees . This particular grove is the smallest, known as the Tuolemne Grove. Unfortunately, the photo fails to capture the sheer size of these trees. Signs indicate that visitors should keep a safe distance. There's also a fallen Sequoia here with a tunnel cut through it, which I believe a compact car, such as a Mini, could drive through.

One question that has always puzzled me is which tree species holds the title of the largest in the world? This topic occasionally comes up in trivia games. I've heard claims about both the Sequoia and the Redwood. According to the National Park Service, while the Sequoia is the largest in terms of volume and base diameter, the Redwood lays claim to being the tallest.
(Source: https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/cook/sec2.htm )

Yosemite - lakes

Yosemite features some breathtaking lakes. This image showcases Tenaya Lake , which you will encounter if you enter through the Tioga Road from the east. I've always dreamed of kayaking on that serene body of water.

Yosemite - Glacier Point

This snapshot was taken during the first of my three full days spent in Yosemite, and thankfully, the air quality in lower Yosemite Valley was manageable at that time. The image was captured at Glacier Point , facing north toward the smoke drifting from forest fires burning in northern Yosemite and possibly beyond the state line. I highly suggest the 'Four Mile Trail' hike from the valley floor to Glacier Point, which I tackled during my trip.

Glacier Point, looking at Half Dome

Here’s another image from Glacier Point showcasing Half Dome, which I scaled two days later. This was likely the sole occasion I saw a clear blue sky throughout my journey—on that day, the valley was smoky, and the other two days of my trip were enveloped in haze.

Yosemite Valley - bear

This is my second bear sighting, spotted in a deserted campground within the lower Yosemite Valley. Similar to the previous encounter, this bear wasn't fully grown and, fortunately, also ignored my presence.

Yosemite - stone bridges

The western region truly shines! I’m enamored with the numerous stone bridges scattered throughout Yosemite. Normally, you would probably find lots of children enjoying the water around spots like this.

These images barely touch the surface of what Yosemite has to offer. If I were to create a comprehensive travel guide for Yosemite, it would easily turn into a small book. To conclude, I must express that Yosemite is among my most cherished destinations, and I wholeheartedly recommend visiting it if you haven't yet. Accommodations and camping spots are notoriously hard to secure, so it’s wise to plan your trip approximately a year ahead.