We took a couple of detours going back to our hotel from the Valley on day 2. I am going to start by posting on the second of those detours - a drive up to Glacier Point, which is as advertised: some of the most awe inspiring views on the planet.For the most part, I am going to let the photos do the talking. Here is a link to the Glacier Point article on Wikipedia, if you want to read more.
In the first photo, the main landmarks visible are the Half Dome (click on the Half Dome label in the left column for the story of a hike Chris and I did in 2005), then Vernal Falls, the lower of the two waterfalls, and Nevada Falls, the upper falls visible here. The valley they emerge from - by the way, they are both on the Merced River - is called the Giant Staircase, the result of glacial action approximately 20,000 years ago.
Below is a look to the west in the Valley. The stone here is famous, it was featured in the Ken Burns films. Also, another look at the Half Dome, washed in golden light.
The last two photos are taken looking down into the main part of Yosemite Valley. In the first, the Ahwahnee Hotel is visible, in the second the Happy Isles parking lot is visible. The trailhead to the cable route described in the Half Dome hike posts starts there.
A second point of interest in the Happy Isles photo is the light colored stone visible below. This part of the mountain has had several significant rock falls over the last 10 years, including some fatalities. Part of Curry Village, one of the larger lodging facilities in the Park, is closed due to the danger.
Glacier Point is approximately 7,400 feet above sea level, or about 3,000 feet above the Valley floor. 
1 comment:
So beautiful its hard to believe its real.
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