Wintery drive
I’ve been burning to drive up to Yosemite in winter. I knew it would be beautiful and importantly, mostly empty. Few people spoiling the quiet.
I was worried about the mountainous drive and the possibility of snow, but have learned a few things. Though the park site says chains are required until April, it might not truly be necessary. I asked around, and decided I’d rent chains just to be safe. But it turns out that checking the weather and taking the longer but less difficult route might be enough. I did drive the more mountainous way back and regretted it all the way down because the road was wat, though I still didn’t need chains.
And now to the film … or pixels.
Cascade falls. I think. I saw a couple clamber down what I thought was a path and thought I’d follow, be a little adventurous. Well, there wasn’t a path beyond about 15 feet. I don’t know where they went. It must’ve involved climbing rocks. I thought about climbing them myself, thought about being alone and slipping and dying and my cell phone not getting a signal. And most importantly, falling and breaking my camera.
Trees and water near Cascades.
El Capitan with a winter low flow. The shroud of clouds was very nice, though.
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Slippery path. This part was so slick I just walked around after rolling up my jeans. I walked to an easily accessible waterfall, Bridal Veil. I got most of the way to the top. The last few yards were covered in ice and slick, slushy snow. Wearing hiking shoes didn’t help, so all I could think about was my camera and the fall to the rocks and rushing water to the left. A woman coming back down from the very top said, you know you didn’t go to the top. I said I know, I just don’t want to die. I’ve been here before. And I have enough photos of Bridal Veil from all my other visits that I didn’t need any more from that height.
Fairy tale path. I like how the light just sort of caresses the green ground. I keep waiting for the fairy or elf to jump out.
Sun bouncing off water.
 
Water and rocks.
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If you’re alone in a park, will anyone hear your call? I found this Pacific Bell pay phone near Tunnel View as I was leaving Yosemite. It was concealed behind trees. I’m guessing it’s never used. I don’t know what the sticker is supposed to mean, but it’s still pretty funny.
Of course, while I enjoy shooting my photos, there’s always someone who is far better at it than I am.
I find that out by checking out people who post to a Yosemite group on Flickr. Or by finding this site.
Having been warned, if you want to see the rest of my pictures, full size, here they are.
Gorgeous pictures, as usual. You need to give yourself some credit for your photography, because I know if I were taking these pictures they’d turn out horrible. Yours are always wall-hangable quality.
I’ve heard of a skull and crossbones, but a cat and crossbones?
Maybe it was a warning that small creatures could be zapped? I dunno.
More likely, it was some statement sort of sticker that I just don’t get. Usually see them in the city, though.
 And thanks, Matt, for the compliment on my pictures. I like what I take well enough, but it’s humbling to know that I’m not brilliant in the grand scheme of things, much like all my other so-called talents.
Lovely photos. I like the water bouncing the sun.
Agreed, really good photos. And I’m glad you were able to go.
“Maybe it was a warning that small creatures could be zapped?”
Maybe, but aren’t most small creatures illiterate? I mean, I don’t know about your cats, but Bruce wouldn’t likely get the message
Gorgeous pics, and just what I needed to see in this grey cold wintery place.