Burro Pass, #2

LEE VINING, CA - - Somewhere way down past the lakes is where we started the hike to Burro Pass. It sure looks like a lot longer than about two-and-a-half miles. it also felt like it was a long way back to the car.

Artsy Pics

LEE VINING, CA - - Our Tuesday hike took us up into the thin air of Burro Pass (11,180') where there were nearly 360-degree vistas. However, there were other things to catch our eye also. The photo above is of grass blowing in the wind in the foreground while the same or similar grass flows in the gentle wind-created current of the lake. The water was so clear it doesn't seem there is water at all.
The light on this white pine with the outer layer split away to show the swirl of the inside wood was also interesting.

Gaylor Lake hike, part 2

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA - - We hiked on to what the guidebook noted was 10,750' and the views were super. The top photo looks down on Upper and Middle Gaylor Lakes with the more of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in the distance. The photo below shows an icy cold body of water fed by the snow pack on the right. We hiked down to the area, stopped for a snack break, and then continued on around the lake and back up to where we had been to explore some more.

Gaylor Lake hike, part 1

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA - - We got lucky again with the same days off so Monday we hiked to Middle Gaylor Lake and then on to Upper Gaylor Lake and beyond. This shot across MGL shows the moon-like barren peaks in the distance with Cathedral Peak in the center and Unicorn Peak to the left. Glacier-strewn boulders litter the area. See Lydia's blog for more info on the hike.

See part 2 for more pics.

Convoy

LEE VINING, CA - - Day Two of our August 12-13 break found us wandering around slowly as payback and recuperation from the exertions of yesterday's hike to Vogelsang High Camp. We usually stay in Lee Vining so why not take advantage of Mono (Moe-Noe not Mon-o) Lake. These are Left Coast California Gulls skimming above the lake on the lookout for brine shrimp and juicy black flies. Mono Lake has a salinity content of twice that of the Pacific Ocean due to restricted fresh water flow into the lake over the past 50 years.

Yosemite Falls in May; Dry in August

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA - - What a difference three months makes. The top pic of Yosemite Falls roaring torrent is from late May. The bottom pic is from today and the torrent is only a memory marked by discoloration on the 1400' plunge.

The trail goes on forever and the hiking never ends

TUOLUMNE MEADOWS (YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA) - - It sort of seemed the trail would never end on the return trip from Vogelsang High Sierra Camp. This was a 14-mile (+ -) hike which took us to 10,180' and completed our quest to visit as many High Camps as possible. We made it to 6 of 7 with the only one not bagged just too far to do in a day hike. The scenery was spectacular and LH appears as a yellow object left of center. Again, we got lucky and ended up with two days off together. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Rocky Top

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA - - Although the climbing on El Capitan has virtually ceased until it gets cooler in September, other areas in the park are still seeing activity. While taking a lunch break at Tanaya Lake near Tuolumne Meadows in the High Country on Tuesday, LH spotted these folks about 2/3rds of the way up Polly Dome - - a nicely rounded / steep granite dome. There was a party of four with these two following two higher up and out of the frame. Shortly, all four disappeared onto the top which - - through binocs looked relative flat and had some tree cover. We never did figure out how they got back down.

NEWS FLASH

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK - - The 'Telegraph Fire,' as the wild fire nearby has been named, has claimed another victim. The cafeteria at Yosemite Lodge, one of our favorite eating places, had (reportedly) a generator catch fire. This, in turn, did enough damage that we probably won't be eating there again before we leave in about six weeks. Now, the problem for everyone, is that the Curry Village breakfast/dinner buffet and the CV Mexican lunch stand and evening pizzaria plus Degnan's Deli and Pizza Loft are all that's left if you want to eat something other than what you have in the bear locker. What a fun summer.

No pics of the smoky mess 'cause i was driving my bus at the time.