Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Glacier Point at Yosemite National Park


After visiting Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming last summer my husband and I knew that while we were visiting Northern California this summer we wanted to include a trip to Yosemite National Park as we knew this was one of the most beautiful National Parks preserved for all time.
Yosemite National Park is a showcase of spectacular geological features, including the greatest concentration of granite domes in the world and the largest exposed granite monolith in the world. The park embraces almost 1,200 square miles of scenic wild lands set aside in 1890 to preserve a portion of the central Sierra Nevada that stretches along California's eastern flank. The park ranges from 2,000 feet above sea level to more than 13,000 feet and has these major attractions; alpine wilderness, three groves of Giant Sequoias and the glacially carved Yosemite Valley with impressive waterfalls, cliffs and unusual rock formations.


We visited the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia trees which I blogged about in my prior post, the day before, and today we re-entered the park, driving through the iconic southern entrance's Arch Rock.

We did a quick stop to see the historic Wawona Hotel, a National Historic Landmark located four miles from the Park's south entrance and cradled between the majestic Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley.  A Victorian-style lodge still offers lodging in its 104 guestrooms, reminiscent of European-style hotel rooms.  The long history of the hotel can be read on this link.


Our next stop was Glacier Point, an overlook with a commanding panoramic view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome peak, and the High Sierra.


The views from this area were truly spectacular!


The scenic overlooks had a variety of views to enjoy.


Click to enlarge this photo of a diagram of the mountains and peaks visible from Glacier Point. (All photos will enlarge if clicked on once, and then again when they open on a new page)


Overhanging Rock 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley.


A vintage 1902 photo of park visitors posing on the same Overhanging Rock! Obviously access like this to the rock isn't allowed any longer for safety's sake.


The view looking down to the valley from Glacier Point.


Here we are with Half Dome peak to the left, and Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls visible to the right.


A closer view of Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls. Yosemite is home to countless waterfalls. The best time to see waterfalls is during spring, when most of the snow melt occurs. Peak runoff typically occurs in May or June, with some waterfalls often only a trickle or completely dry by August.  Considering we visited the park in the third week of August the water was still flowing very strongly.


Nevada Falls is a 594-foot waterfall on the Merced River


Vernal Falls is a 317 waterfall on the Merced River south of the Nevada Falls.


One last look from Glacier Point before we go back into our car.....


....and drive into the Wawona Tunnel to travel to see the beautiful Yosemite Valley, which will be my next blog post!

I'm linking to Wednesday"Outdoor Wednesday" event on Susan's blog A Southern Daydreamer, and Cathy's blog A Bit of the Blarney for her Wednesday "Adventure Express."  Please visit Susan and Cathy today and join in all the fun!




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40 comments:

Cindy said...

Pat, Your photos are breathtakingly beautiful! The USA has the most gorgeous scenery in the world, I'm sure. I loved the info that you gave, too. Thanks.
Hugs, Cindy

Ginny Hartzler said...

Breathtaking pictures!! Is the arch rock entrance entrance carved out? All these views are amazing, the little pines are dwarfed way down below. And the pic of the two of you is so good! What wonderful memories! Betsy will go wild over the waterfalls!! I am SO much enjoying this series, I cannot wait for the next one. I have never seen things like this, it's like my mind is on vacation!

Annesphamily said...

You the absolute best travel guide ever! I hope sometime when you come to Colorado we can meet. You are one amazing lady. Anne

Proud Italian Cook said...

My husband sat right next to me and looked at your photos, we need to go there, so beautiful Pat!

Anonymous said...

I have always wanted to go to Yosemite Nat'l Park...thanks for taking us along with you! What wonderful photos and descriptions! You guys had a dream trip!

Sarah said...

Pat, your photos are breathtaking. Those mountain shots are gorgeous scenery. Thanks for taking us along. ~ Sarah

Sheila said...

One more intriguing place to visit thanks to your introduction to Yosemite Park...maybe one day I will convince my husband to be as adventuresome as yours is. You sure had an amazing trip and I am in awe of the majesty you've captured in your photos Pat. Thanks so much

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow Pat.... Do I love those waterfalls????? I want to go to Yosemite sometime. I have a niece and her hubby who live out there and work in the park.

What a fabulous place.... You two truly had a wonderful trip, didn't you?????

Love seeing your photos. Thanks SO much.
Hugs,
Betsy

Gina said...

absolutely stunning photos Pat!..I'm so envious :P
I have an Ansel Adams print of Yosemite in my bedroom and it's so beautiful! Loved reading your post :) x

Gina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cheryl D. said...

Yosemite looks so beautiful! I would love to stay at that hotel. It looks so charming.

Anonymous said...

Lovely sights. Nice you're able to enjoy these natural surroundings.

Paz

Gracie said...

When I hear the words "Yosemite Park" I always think about Yogi Bear and Boo Boo, sometime I forget it's a real place! Thanks to remind me how amazing a place it is!

Coffeeveggie addict. said...

awes0me ph0tos!a great great outdo0r fun. visit my waterfalls

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Yosemite really is gorgeous!!! It has been oh so many years since we have been there but it is indeed one of God's glorious creations. Thank you for the adventure! Cathy

Carol said...

Wow, what breathtaking views! That was some trip!

Kat said...

Your photos are stunning Pat. What a beautiful, peaceful place to visit. I love the shots of the waterfalls. That vintage photo is amazing, can you imagine traipsing all the way up there in that dress? I felt a touch of vertigo just looking at that shot:) Thanks for the wonderful tour. Kat

Joyce said...

Yikees not so sure I would want to stand out on that rock in the old photo. It really is pretty out there and thanks for sharing.
Joyce

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That's a great picture of the two of you! I don't think I posed for the overhanging rock! lol Love the waterfall...and breathtaking scenery! Definitely on my travel wish list! What amazing beauty! ♥

Unknown said...

Wow Pat these photos deserve to be shared in a big magazine somewhere. The Arch Rock entrance is amazing. You are a traveling woman for sure.
QMM

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

That's some spectacular scenery and you've captured it beautifully with your artistic eye Pat.

That would most definitely not be me swinging my foot high above a gorge.
Yikes.
Sam

Donnie said...

Such stunning photography. Thanks for taking me along, in the back seat of course, on your lovely trip. So enjoyed it.

nanny said...

Oh the falls are breathtaking....as are the mountains....
I HAVE to go there!

Friko said...

I am speechless! Well I would be if it were my mouth rather than my fingers giving this comment.

These photos are breathtakingly beautiful. Lucky you to have been able to drive through and admire such spectacular scenery.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I shall have to come back here and accompany you on the rest of your journey.

GailO said...

Thanks for sharing all of this with us Pat...it is such a pleasure to travel with you...These vistas are spectacular! I could never have stood on that hanging rock like that young lady in the photo...How about you?

steviewren said...

The photo of you and your husband almost looks like you are sitting in front of a painting or a movie set....it's surreal that any place in real life could be so intricately beautiful.

Hannah Q. Parris said...

Such a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing these photos!

Anonymous said...

OMGoodness,Hi Pat,haven't talked to you in awhile,so good to see these great photo's.I wish I was there!...these pictures make me want to go for sure now!
-Jo
-LazyonLoblolly

Lynn said...

"The Yo" is beautiful, isn't it! My daredevil son climbed up the back side of Half Dome.

Old Kitty said...

My goodness! What views from Glacier Point! Nevada and Vernal Falls are just stunning! I'm so glad that there are health and safety rules today though!! That's one scary and very dangerous vintage photo! LOL!!! The geological structures are very lovely too - I'm in awe at their vastness - their breadth and depth! Mother Nature at her most raw-est!!!
My goodness but Wowona hotel has some history going on there! Poor Mr Clarks!! But it's great that his initial ideas for a place for home cooking and a respite from travelling have survived intact! It looks like a really lovely place to stay!

Yosemite National Park is a real treasure - thanks for the info and the fab pics!

Take care
x

Claudia said...

I just showed this to Paul. We are resolved to go there! Spectacular.

Michelle said...

Excellent post and photographs. You are making me want to visit there!

diane b said...

Wow! Those views are breathtaking. I can imagine what the valley would have looked like when it had a glacier in it. Love the shot of you two on top of the world. 'm enjoying your trip.

Judy said...

I see there are more fabulous national parks that we must still visit. I think our national parks are the greatest treasures! Beautiful pic's.

H said...

The view down to the valley floor is not one for the faint hearted! I would love to stand up there and see those views for myself. :)

Elettra said...

what a wonders, without words

Linda said...

Wonderful photos and post as usual! On your last post I commented about the redwood gift shop....dumb me...that was in the redwoods...you're in Yosemite and sequoias there...sorry...my niec and her friends work there in the summer at the lodge when on break from school...it's a beautiful place to spend time! I'm glad you're enjoying our state!

Pondside said...

No wonder California has always been such a draw. Is there anywhere with such a variety of breathtaking landscape?

Debbiedoos said...

I had to go back a few because I missed some. I am so blown away by your photos and your trip. You sure did not miss much now did you? You could seriously make this blog a book on traveling. Just gorgeous. Yosemite just blows me away...!!~

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

What awesome views! It gives me shivers to think of that couple on the overhanging rock in 1902! Yikes! What a wonderful vacation you've had.