Every day before we set out, I would look at our Visitor Guide. By looking at the map and hiking information, I could plan our day to get the most out of our time spent in the park. On our last full day in Yosemite, we drove to Glacier Point. All the glaciers are long gone, but Yosemite Valley was carved out by slow moving glaciers. Glacier Point is up high, and gave us a gorgeous view of the Valley.
Despite the altitude, it was very warm. We wandered around and ate our picnic on a big slab of black-and-white speckled granite. We were in one of those places where there isn’t much to do except gaze around in wonder. Oh, yes, and there was much climbing and walking on rocks, which is always fun. It was hard to pull ourselves away from Glacier Point.
Our second stop was Mariposa Grove, which is known for its giant Sequoia trees. Since it was later in the day, parking was a problem. We parked in a far away lot, and then took the shuttle bus up to the grove, which worked well.
While we were busy looking up at these magnificent trees, it’s hard to remember to look down. When I did, I saw this cute squirrel grabbing a pine cone lunch. That little pine cone is a Sequoia pine cone, which is about the size of a chicken egg. Isn’t it amazing to think that such huge trees come from such little seeds?
On our fourth day in Yosemite, we were only passing through. We drove over the Sierra Nevada mountains on one of the only passes, Tioga Road. Of course, we couldn’t just drive through, although we didn’t have time to explore as much as we wanted to. Tioga Road’s elevation goes up to 10,000 feet.
We stopped for lunch at Tuolumne Meadows, where we saw some backpackers who were hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. It goes right through Yosemite, and is the same trail Cheryl Strayed hiked and then wrote about in her book Wild. I loved that book, and so I wanted to put my feet on the PCT just to say that I did. But the trail I actually followed for a few minutes with Lily and Emmy was just a trail from the restaurant/post office to the campground. As we were pulling out to continue our drive across the mountains, I saw the sign for the PCT, but we needed to get on our way. Next stop: a ghost town at Bodie State Historical Park!
Are you tagging along on our California trip? Here’s more posts:
Meeting Gretchen from Second Blooming in Los Angeles
Hiking the Lemon Grove Loop Trail in San Luis Obispo
Yosemite, Day One
Yosemite, Day Two
Suddenly in Death Valley
Those pictures are breathtaking! I love that you are sharing these!
Kristina Walters @ Kris On Fitness recently posted…Reebok Fall Fitness Giveaway!
Wow, I cannot get over the gorgeous landscape you showcased here. Totally looked like you guys had great weather, too and just love getting to see all that you did during this trip!! 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…Wake Me When September Ends & Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop
Those trees are incredible – love the tunnel tree!
Kim recently posted…30 Years Ago I Started Running and just Never Stopped!!
The giant sequoia trees have always fascinated me. I remember when our daughter did an awesome report on them after one of our trips to see them. I’m so happy that you and your family got to see the beauty of Yosemite.
Deborah Pucci recently posted…WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE
Oh, I LOVE those trees! What an awesome trip!
Nicole Hallford recently posted…Back to School!
Incredible photos! I’ve always wanted to see the giant Sequoias. Just magnificent. And thanks for the fun fact, too, about the tiny cones and seeds!
Jenny recently posted…A Change of Perspective is Needed
Whoa! Those are some big trees! Your photos are so beautiful. I have never been to Yosemite but hope to sometime. Looks so relaxing!
Raquel recently posted…My Fall Favorites
It has been 40+ years since we visited Yosemite but those trees have not changed much it seems. Great shots and the post kept me reading!
Janice recently posted…Sky and Critters
Wow, those are huge trees. You actually walked through a tree???? Who can say that? That is amazing. Makes me now want to visit. I say you tell your husband about the national park in the Virgin Islands. I forget the name but it is the only national park outside of the continental 50 states.
Sharon, The Mayor of Crazyville recently posted…Suddenly, In the Operating Room – No gore. I promise.