Created 10-Nov-20
(Note 1/11/2021: collection completed. More galleries are here.)
Finally, we leave the house after months sheltering in place. What better adventure than Yosemite Valley? We book two nights, in belated celebration of our 54th anniversary -- and my 80th birthday!
When we planned the trip. we anticipated it might rain a little, and clear the air in the Valley. Instead, we luck out -- the first snowfall of the season accents the fall colors of Black Oaks and Dogwood, and highlights the granite Valley walls. We planned an early hike up the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls, to get ahead of the crowd. Instead, we discover a magical day, full of snow, mist, some clearing, then snow again. Spectacular! Our "crowded day hike" turns into a wilderness adventure; we welcome the companionship of the few hikers we meet, all of us glad to be there and share the magic.
I was able to indulge my urge to notice, focus, and capture a photo -- again and again, each full moment. Upon returning home, I posted a few of the best images from our hike to Vernal Falls and beyond -- this is now the first gallery here. The nest shows Helen and me on this snowy hike, taken by the first other hiker we saw that snowy, lonely morning. A more complete collection of photos from this hike is next. Then, a photo op: Half Dome from Stoneman Bridge, new snow and mist reflected in the Merced River. The day after the hiking adventure it was clear and cold; we took our time driving along the Valley, enjoying postcard-puire views of snow-bedecked trees in autumn glory, steep cliffs, snow, and blue sky. I moved our first afternoon's hike to the next spot: the last day of true autumn, before the snow of winter -- though we did not know it at the time.
The next gallery contains some wide panoramas, a new exercise for me, quite appropriate to the wide varied views within Yosemite Valley and up to Vernal Falls and Clark Point.
Finally, here are some of my historical photos from earlier visits to the Mist Trail, Vernal Falls, and all.
Finally, we leave the house after months sheltering in place. What better adventure than Yosemite Valley? We book two nights, in belated celebration of our 54th anniversary -- and my 80th birthday!
When we planned the trip. we anticipated it might rain a little, and clear the air in the Valley. Instead, we luck out -- the first snowfall of the season accents the fall colors of Black Oaks and Dogwood, and highlights the granite Valley walls. We planned an early hike up the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls, to get ahead of the crowd. Instead, we discover a magical day, full of snow, mist, some clearing, then snow again. Spectacular! Our "crowded day hike" turns into a wilderness adventure; we welcome the companionship of the few hikers we meet, all of us glad to be there and share the magic.
I was able to indulge my urge to notice, focus, and capture a photo -- again and again, each full moment. Upon returning home, I posted a few of the best images from our hike to Vernal Falls and beyond -- this is now the first gallery here. The nest shows Helen and me on this snowy hike, taken by the first other hiker we saw that snowy, lonely morning. A more complete collection of photos from this hike is next. Then, a photo op: Half Dome from Stoneman Bridge, new snow and mist reflected in the Merced River. The day after the hiking adventure it was clear and cold; we took our time driving along the Valley, enjoying postcard-puire views of snow-bedecked trees in autumn glory, steep cliffs, snow, and blue sky. I moved our first afternoon's hike to the next spot: the last day of true autumn, before the snow of winter -- though we did not know it at the time.
The next gallery contains some wide panoramas, a new exercise for me, quite appropriate to the wide varied views within Yosemite Valley and up to Vernal Falls and Clark Point.
Finally, here are some of my historical photos from earlier visits to the Mist Trail, Vernal Falls, and all.
11/8/2020 Adventure on Vernal Falls Loop in First Snowfall (Few)
Visitors 289
10 photos
Created 10-Dec-24
Modified 10-Dec-24
11/8/2020 Helen and Dan Hike in the Snow
Visitors 52
5 photos
Created 10-Dec-24
Modified 10-Dec-24
11/8/2020 Mist Trail in Snow and Mist (More)
Visitors 27
48 photos
Created 10-Dec-24
Modified 10-Dec-24
11/8-9/2020 Half Dome from Stoneman Bridge
Visitors 18
18 photos
Created 10-Dec-24
Modified 10-Dec-24
11/9/2020 Yosemite Valley in Snow
Visitors 34
18 photos
Created 10-Dec-24
Modified 10-Dec-24
11/7/2020 Last Autumn Day in the Valley
Visitors 22
15 photos
Created 10-Dec-24
Modified 10-Dec-24
More Panoramic Images
Visitors 20
11 photos
Created 10-Dec-24
Modified 10-Dec-24
My Historical Photos: Vernal Falls and the Mist Trail
Visitors 19
21 photos
Created 10-Dec-24
Modified 10-Dec-24
Dan Quinn