When I put Yosemite on the list for this trip, I knew it was grand, I knew it was a must see. However, I just wasn’t feeling it. Who knew that I would fall in love with Yosemite, and even spend more time there than planned.
I rolled into the park on a Thursday afternoon after a four hour drive. I had no cell service at my previous campsite, so I hadn’t really been able to plan anything. It was already confusing that google had like 5 possible destinations for Yosemite(it’s a big park). I came in through the Wawona gate, and then somehow still had 45 minutes to go to the visitor center. The road into the valley was delightfully twisty and scenic, but I just wanted to figure out my campsite for the night..so I didn’t enjoy it like I should. I arrived in the valley, and there were cars everywhere. All the turnouts were full, the parking lots were full, there was a decent amount of traffic, and so on. The valley operates on a one way loop road…and unfortunately several of the turn-arounds were under construction, so it was a very long loop. I saw a sign for campsite registrations, but missed the turn…so I had to go all the way around again…or try to find parking and walk. It was hot out and I was a little grumpy. I finally found a parking spot, and talked to someone, and of course camping was full. I vaguely remember reading about requiring reservations years ago…it must have slipped my mind. The ranger was nice enough to show me some campgrounds just outside the park…so I drove all the way back out the 45 minute road that I came in on, and got a campsite. Not a great start, and it had me liking Yosemite a bit less.
Early the next morning, after a night’s sleep, I set out to explore. This time, I loved the twisty road into the valley. I got a parking spot more easily, although there were already a lot of people there. I did some hikes to see some waterfalls. They are apparently what originally drew people to this valley over a hundred years ago, and they are spectacular. Normally, by high summer, they have reduced flow of water, but this past winter was a record snowfall, so they are still pouring water as though it were spring. That was a real blessing to be able to see. You might say it was planned by God.
I really enjoy the rustic feeling to some American parks. It may be that they are older, but it seems they try to preserve it…while in Canada it seems the rustic-ness gets modernized over time.
It was getting hotter, so I decided to drive to Glacier Point next. If the waterfalls are the main attraction, the view from glacier point is the climax. It sounded like the road had been closed until very recently…another blessing from God. And what a view! It is one of those sights that photos can only hint at. The massive scale is beyond words.
That was day one. For day two, I was looking at the map, and thought that driving Tioga Pass would be great. If I found camping on the other side, I could also cut down on my driving to Grand Canyon the next day. I was putting it into google maps to get distances, and it said the road was closed. I looked it up, and surprise, it was slated to open the day I was going to drive it!
I didn’t have to make great time the next day, so I took it slow the next morning. Imagine my surprise when I exited the campground directly into a long lineup to get into the park. At 8:30! Ah, I realized, it’s Saturday…the park will be even busier. Somehow that line had me still doubting if the pass road would be worth it. Maybe I should just turn around and head for Grand Canyon and save a day…but I stuck with it. And I’m so glad I did.
It took 45 minutes in line to get to the gate, then I drove that 45 minute twisty into the valley, and set out up the Tioga Pass road. For the first while it wasn’t that interesting, but it was constantly going up. Then around 8000 ft, it opened up with some amazing viewpoints. The mountains were streaked with snow…which likely was only still there in July because of the record snow fall. The drive was spectacular, and I’m so glad I did it.
The summit of the pass was also the check in/out station, so I didn’t get a photo, but the summit is at just under 10,000 feet. That’s now the highest I’ve ever been on foot or four wheels. I had no idea, but read on a sign post later that Tioga Pass is the highest pass in California.
Coming down out of the pass was amazing too. The way up had been gradual, but the way down was faster, and clinging to the side of the mountains. My ears were feeling the altitude changes!
I then took the scenic route instead of the interstate, which travelled along side the Sierra mountains. They are a sight to behold, especially from the desert below. With the snow streaking over them, and no trees, they kind of reminded me of Yukon…if it weren’t for the 40 degree Celsius temperatures. Somehow I was not expecting to love mountains on this trip. My time at Yosemite has been unexpectedly amazing. And to be honest, a certain amount of initial frustration somehow makes the highs higher.
The Narrow Twisty Road 