Yosemite Valley (11.06-07.2010)
Walking up the access road to the top of Turtleback Dome.
There are several nice boulders up here - although no one else was around, the chalk marks made it clear that this is a regular bouldering destination.
Boulder and the Big Oak Flat road across the valley.
The view from Turtleback Dome is similar to the one from tunnel view, minus all the people.
Big Oak Flat and El Portal roads below.
Turtleback Dome granite.
Half Dome and El Capitan from Turtleback Dome. The fall colors were peaking in the valley this weekend making for some nice orange in the foreground of these 'standard' shots.
The road to Turtleback Dome
Sierra Point is a rocky outcropping across from Glacier Point from which there is a view of four waterfalls: Vernal, Nevada, Illilouette, and Yosemite Falls. It is (barely) accessible via a now-defunct trail that connects to the JMT just outside of Happy Isles. It was closed years ago due to rock fall and is no longer maintained, signed, or added to maps. But with a bit of persistence and scrambling you can still find your way there.
This is what the first ~100 yards looks like, but after that the old trail appears and can be followed all the way to the point (with a couple tricky points along the way). The hardest part is getting started.
This is what the trail to Sierra Point looks like now - looks hard to see in this photo but it's actually pretty easy to follow.
Just when you start to wonder if you are indeed on the trail these steps start appearing. The trail is really steep and these steps are built in to the hillside. You can follow these steps almost the whole way.
There are about 1000 feet to climb to the point and about half way up the views start to open up. There is Yosemite Falls!
Yosemite Falls from half way up Sierra Point
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls, the Valley, and North Dome from half way up Sierra Point
Those steps again, leading the way
North and Basket Domes
David following the steps
Liberty Cap with Vernal and Nevada Falls. View from Sierra Point
The JMT far below us. Teeny people - we could hear them but I'm sure they had no idea we were up there.
Liberty Cap with the falls
Glacier Point is above us on the other side
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls from Sierra Point
Yosemite Falls from Sierra Point
Fall colors at the foot of Glacier point (looking down from Sierra Point)
David at Sierra Point
Liberty Cap, Vernal and Nevada Falls
One of the rock slide sections of the trail. There is a use trail across it that is simple and easy to follow.
Back at the Happy Isles Bridge
Fall Colors along the Merced
Fall Colors along the Merced
Fall Colors along the Merced
Fall Colors along the Merced
Thanks Mr and Mrs Navi for the fresh roses for my birthday. :)
