Yosemite National Park sits high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, almost 10,000 feet above sea level. We entered the park via Tioga Pass, a scenic route that climbs from the desert side of the Sierra Mountain range into Yosemite’s alpine forests, granite peaks, and mountain meadows.
As we made our way into the park, we were struck by the enormous granite walls.
We were able to walk across this huge granite rock.
We set out to explore another mountain stream.
The boys swam in Tenaya Lake, a mountain lake with a sandy shoreline and a backdrop of granite mountains.
This tree stood right on the beach, with much of the root system exposed, stretching across the sand.
Many of the park’s well-known landmarks are located in Yosemite Valley, which sits about 4,000 feet above sea level. From Tioga Pass at 10,000 feet, we had a long descent into the valley and would have to climb it all back again to reach our campsite. On this night, the sun was setting as we made our way down into the valley.
El Capitan is a huge, nearly vertical granite wall whose summit rises to almost 9,000 feet above sea level. It was shaped by glaciers and erosion millions of years ago. Today, El Capitan is one of the most famous rock-climbing destinations in the world.
Half Dome is another iconic landmark in Yosemite Valley. Its name comes from its distinctive shape, which resembles a granite dome sliced in half. Rising more than 7,000 feet above sea level, Half Dome was also sculpted over millions of years by glaciers, weathering, and erosion.
Another significant feature of Yosemite is its waterfalls. Yosemite Falls drops a total of 2,425 feet, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. When water is flowing, its mist can splash visitors below. However, during our visit Yosemite Falls was dried up since most of its water comes from melting snow, and by late summer, much of the snow had already melted.
Bridalveil Falls drops 620 feet from a tall granite cliff. The waterfall is strongest in the spring, when mountain snow is melting. This waterfall usually flows year-round, although it can become very light by late summer, which is what we experienced.
After making the steep, winding descent from Yosemite, we traveled through California’s Central Valley near Fresno. We passed miles of farmland, including olive groves and citrus orchards. The area’s hot, sunny summers and rich soil make it a great place for growing a variety of crops.
Next stop: Sequoia National Park.