Yosemite Photographs – Early July 2007
I spent three days in and around Tuolumne Meadows in the Yosemite National Park high country in early July, visiting the area around Tioga Pass, the route out toward Young Lakes, Tenaya Lake, and Mount Hoffman. I’ve already posted a few of the following photos, but here is a collection of some of my favorites from that trip.
Dawn, Mounts Dana and Gibb
Sunset, Dog Lake and Mounts Dana and Gibb
Three Snags, Gaylor Lakes Basin
Rocks, Tenaya Lake
Alpine Tundra and Rocks, Gaylor Lakes Basin
Rocks and Trees, Gaylor Lakes Basin
Rocks and Reflection, Gaylor Lake
Shoreline, Gaylor Lake
Rocks and Trees, Gaylor Lake
Rocks and Trees, Gaylor Lake. Yosemite National Park. July 2, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell.
More About the Half Dome Death
Earlier I posted a short piece referencing the SFGate article about the unfortunate death on the Half Dome cable route. I now see that SFGate outdoor writer Tom Stienstra has posted an entry in his blog on the subject, and that many have commented on it.
I’m prepared to revise my initial thinking on this a bit, though only a bit. I continue to believe that trying to make the outdoors risk-free is both unwise and doomed to failure. However, it seems that the situation on the cable route has perhaps gotten out of control. While I do not agree with those who would require people to climb the route in a particular way (example: one person suggested requiring an overnight stay in Little Yosemite Valley) I do think that it is time to make the nature of this climb clearer to those who might be tempted to try it.
Of course, the news stories about this death will serve that goal to some extent. This may be one of the situations where the Park Service should amp up the “fear factor” a bit, in the way they have with the bear situation. A 16+ mile round trip with an elevation gain of nearly 5000 feet that ascends an exposed rock face that, while not tremendously difficult, presents a real risk of fatal consequences should not be undertaken lightly by inexperienced hikers. While knowledgable hikers and climbers may scoff at Park service warnings (I certainly do from time to time regarding the bear situation), a greater good may be served by encouraging additional respect for the difficulties this route presents to those who are not experienced or not in shape.
Fern Ledge and Yosemite Falls
From Yosemite Explorer – Yosemite in pictures:
Fern Ledge: John Muir’s Yosemite Falls
There is nothing in Yosemite Valley quite like a hike to Fern Ledge. Within minutes, the Fern Ledge hike will take you from the bustling, crowded, Lower Yosemite Falls area to a quiet, unmaintained trail that leads you past dense beds of flowers (Elegant Brodieia, Larkspur, Yawning Penstemmon, Live Forever, Giant Red Paintbrushes and more), winding up open slabs leading to Fern Ledge, the most staggering place from which to experience Yosemite Falls. Jutting out into the actual waterfall about 200 feet from the bottom and 1400 feet from the top, you can lie on your back for hours and watch the water comets cascade down past you. Fern Ledge was a favorite spot of John Muir’s and the site of Ansel Adams’ famous photo looking up Upper Yosemite Falls. (And my not famous photo of the same, which, surprisingly, is not as good as Ansel’s.) That said, though the hike is [Yosemite Explorer – Yosemite in pictures]
Follow the link to the full article at Yosemite Explorer – it is full of background information and trail information.
Tuolumne Campground Opens
Yosemite Blog reports:
Tuolumne Campground Opens for Season – Tuolumne campground is now open and in operation. Sites are available on a first come-first served basis until July 14th when 1/2 the campground will be open for reservations.
Looks like good timing for me since I’ll have some time during the first weeks of July.
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Tuolumne Campground Opens
Yosemite Blog reports:
Tuolumne Campground Opens for Season – Tuolumne campground is now open and in operation. Sites are available on a first come-first served basis until July 14th when 1/2 the campground will be open for reservations.
Looks like good timing for me since I’ll have some time during the first weeks of July.
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Mono Pass Trail
Mono Pass Trail, Yosemite National Park, California. May 20, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell. (Sales)
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Crossing Mono Pass, Sierra Crest
Crossing Mono Pass, Sierra Crest. Yosemite National Park, California. May 20, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell. (Sales)
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Mammoth Peak, Spring – Yosemite National Park
Mammoth Peak, Spring. Yosemite National Park, California. May 20, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell. (Sales)
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Dan's Outside 
Deadly Trek Up Half Dome
From an SFGate article: Rangers re-examining safety of popular hike after a fatal fall from cables during final ascent
This accident is tragic but the fact is that it isn’t possible to eliminate all danger from outdoor activities, particularly those in the mountains. There is always some element of risk, even in situations where risk is not the main goal of those participating. Thousands and thousands of people have ascended the exposed Half Dome “cable route” – and they have been rewarded with an astonishing view and a powerful sense of accomplishment and connection with the natural world. There have been very, very few serious accidents or fatalities.
While the park service should look at safety issues (and has probably done so all along) it would be tragic if an accident like this one led to overly restrictive changes in trail management.
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June 19, 2007 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary, Trails, Yosemite | Comments Off on Deadly Trek Up Half Dome