For Earth Day weekend I got to take a trip up to Yosemite National Park for a class field study to meet with the park, hydrologist, planner and fire ecologist to learn and talk about the park. It's pretty astounding that I got class credit to go to my favorite place in the world but its true, it happened. Out of the four days we where up there we only had one non class day to do what ever we wanted. So for that day my self and a friend got up and started the upper Yosemite falls trail at 8 and went all the way to the top and across the river to Yosemite point for the valley views. I do not have a whole lot of photos that aren't class related so here is just a sample of what Yosemite looked like on earth day!
I mentioned earlier that this was for a class and that is very seriously true, so true intact I have to keep this post short because I have to get back to doing my homework for said class and others. But while I am on a break from studying I wanted to share a small photo journey of the park.
All the animals in National parks are protected and because of their protection they can wander anywhere they please, and that lead to people feeding them even though it's against park rules. This (most of the time) creates very friendly animals who are not shy and will walk right up to you. This though does extend to bears who will walk right into your campsite and eat your food if your not careful!
Although this is a stunning picture of a meadow with half dome in the background I don't believe these flowers are natural considering they where the only ones in the meadow and the only other ones where planted by the ranger station housing. Maybe an animal buried a seed in the meadow?
Another animal trying to get free food, this guy was right near the village gift shop,I assume he is there all the time because the park staff talk to him and he squawks back. They also have seemed to have named him becauseI heard someone call his name and he hopped over, it was quite the sight although I regret not being able to remember his name.
Side view of upper falls
Upper falls view point is a little over half way up the upper falls trial just after columbia rock. Its a stunning view and this past snow season the Serria Nevada received a dense snow pact and the water flowing in the park was at an all time high, It was so much water that the water falling sounded like thunder clapping. while taking a break and talking to a local man who hikes this trail once a month he said it was very special to hear that sound because he has not seen this much water or heard the falls that loud in over 10 years!
Once your at the top of the falls the view of the falls its self was a little lack luster, but understandably so, you where kept far back from the cliffs edge and the fast water falling for purely safety reasons, the water was flying at least 10 feet up into the air before falling and was around 40 feet out from the cliff face! But if you take the time to turn your head back up river you get this awesome view pictured above!
We then set out for another mile of hiking to find Yosemite point!
After we crossed the river from this bridge I had to put my camera away because the next mile of hiking was through about 2-3feet of snow and I didn't want to drop my camera!
Looking back in the the Yosemite high country
At the top of Yosemite point you can see the whole valley in a new breath taking manner. Its stunning, and looking out at the valley your able to get a glimpse of the sites John Muir had when he laid eyes on this natural wonderland. The calm breeze at the top is enough to make you stop and stare for hours on end just looking, and truly seeing the valley for the wonder that it is.This vantage point gives you the opportunity to look around and see the geologic history of the park. But explaining that would be for another post when I don't have homework to do and study for finals!