Rx for too much civilization
When we feel a need to reconnect with nature our favorite
place to visit is Yosemite Valley. May
is the ideal time. The valley isn’t yet crowded with summer visitors, the meadows
are green, the falls are magnificent, and the dog wood trees are at their peak. We could only get away for 3 nights this time– but it
was great!
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| Half dome from the Sentinel Dome Loop trail |
It has been a busy spring for both of us – and before we
plow into summer plans this was the time for a mid week get away. From Fremont , we drove 4 hours... but we are
off the freeway after two...We traveled through the orchards and vineyards on the San Joaquin... to
emerge into the dry grasslands of the foothills and beyond into Oak
Savanna and scrub chaparrals, then the progression of conifers... each zone dictated
by sunlight, temperature, and water...
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| A cluster of dog wood blossoms |
Yosemite valley is about 4000 feet. This is the incredible place of sculpted granite walls carved by glacial ice. It is a land of falling water, meadows, oak and pine forests... There is a continual
struggle between keeping the valley wild, permitting a real nature experience
for visitors, and development to provide
a wider range of accommodations . I dont
even like to visit the Valley in July and August – it becomes absolutely urban.
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| Two squabbling Ravens in the early morning |
Yet people love to come here to camp and
connect with granite cliffs, trees, falling water, and wildlife. But for each campfire permitted the air of
the valley becomes more hazy, for each amenity provided, the valley becomes less
natural.
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| Housekeeping tent cabins |
In recent years there has been
a strong effort to reduce services, limit camping, limit traffic flow,
designate certain areas off limits to human foot traffic to maintain the
natural world... You can’t have both unlimited development and a natural
Yosemite... I clearly support the new limits even though it means that it is
more difficult for us to visit,,,
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| Bottom part of Yosemite falls from the trail between Taft Pt. and Sentinel Dome |
We had never stayed in the housekeeping tent cabins before –
while we prefer tent camping, for a quick get away this was "OK". Our tent cabin would accommodate 4 people
with thick foam mattresses, an open air kitchen area, fenced in privacy, a
firepit, and a table... Being enclosed within a small fenced enclosure felt constraining to me. However,
from our kitchen area we had a direct view of Yosemite falls!
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| Reflection of Glacier Point in the Merced River - |
Monday we arrived about 2 PM and after settling in – had time
for a good walk on the Valley floor along the river ... being in a valley with high walls
the sun sets early and people go to sleep early!
Tuesday we travelled up to Tuolumne Meadows ( almost 10,000 ft. ) , our favorite
summertime location. Now we found it to be
just emerging from winter. Deep piles of
snow remained wherever there was no direct sunlight. Streamside willows were not even thinking
about leafing out yet... But we did see one old marmot had come out of hibernation. Deer were taking advantage of
the first grass in the meadows. ( but they were sadly skinny from the lean days of winter).
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| Tuolomnie Meadows near Tioga Pass - May 2013 |
There
was a fierce cold wind blowing at Tioga Pass and we dropped down to the lower
Tioga Lake on the East side of the pass. Here we
were out of the wind – but we had to choose our path carefully to avoid the deep
snow... We made out way cross-country around the lake and selected a sunny spot
when we could advance no farther and here we shared our picnic lunch with a fine view of lake and snowy mountains. In the sun it was nicely warm! Judy read and I climbed higher rocky outcroppings. I love rambling and making
my way among the rocks – and this time of year it was all so fresh from the winter melt! We loved it!
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| Our friend the Marmot |
The second day we drove up toward Glacier Point, and parked
at the trailhead for Taft point and Sentinel Dome... We did a 5 mile loop that took us through
sparse high elevation forest of Jeffrey pine, manzanita, and chinquapin. The moisture brought up by the prevailing
wind from the valley promoted a thick growth of the bright yellow tree
lichen.
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| Yellow Green Lichen in the path of upswept moist air from the valley floor |
The overlook from Taft point is
a “wow” experience. There seem to be 3
kinds of people in this world, when it comes to looking over a precipice– those that cant make
themselves look over the railing, those that really like that kind of stuff,
and those with approach-avoidance who go to the railing and look but with white knuckles gripping the rail... When you look over the railing, it is straight
down 4000 feet plus...!
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| Looking straight down 4000 ft. ( view slightly magnified ) |
From Taft Point we walked along the top rim of the valley with occasional breathtaking views until we reached Sentinel Dome – Perhaps you remember this tree as a symbol of perseverance against the tough things in life make us tougher and stronger... Sorry to say this tree finally died of old age and its tough environment... (I grew up in Kansas with a photo of this tree on our wall!) The view from Sentinel Dome is a 360 degree view from the top of the world! Looking east, lies the highest and most grand portion of the Sierra Mountains! Another "wow".
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| Ansel Adams famous photo of the Jeffrey Pine atop Sentinel Dome |
What is it about the mountain experience that breaks down
barriers? When we met people on the
trail, if we were buying food, if we were admiring a view, or our camping
neighbors – everyone talks – everyone shares... I love it! We met so many traveling Europeans, people from all parts of the US, a few people from Asia... all anxious to talk! I even found one of my AP Biology students from 10 years ago!
Every morning we made coffee and cooked breakfast with our propane stove, took food for lunch with us when out on the trail, and we ate in the Camp Curry cafeteria in the evening. Food tasted so good when you are honestly hungry!
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| Rare saprophytic plant takes nutrients from the pine tree roots ( with fungus helpers ) "Pine Drops" |
We are already planning our next trip!!
