The Scenic Side of Yosemite

June 25-30, 2002

Yosemite is my candidate for the most beautiful place on the face of the earth. Yosemite is a glacier formed canyon with the valley floor about 4000 feet above sea level. The canyon walls rise about 3000 to 4000 feet above the valley floor. In addition to magnificent cliffs and rock formations, it has beautiful water falls. The scenery is simply awesome.

Yosemite valley with the 3000 foot granite El Capitan on the left, Bridal Veil Falls on the right, and Half Dome in the background.

Yosemite Falls. The total drop is about 2500 feet.

The view from Glacier Point, which is about 3200 feet above the valley floor. Half Dome dominates the view to the east, with Clouds Rest and Tenaya canyon behind it.

Half Dome dominates the views from the  eastern end of the valley.

Vernal Fall on the Merced river. Dave and I took a hike to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. The trail passes right along side Vernal falls so you are hiking in mist from the water fall. It was very pretty, but the trail was wet so hiking up the trail look safer than down it.

A giant Sequouia in Tuolumne Grove. Zack said, "This is a BIG tree".