Yosemite – Andrew Spittle

December 30, 2012

Snowshoeing through Yosemite

Over the holiday break I spent a week at my parents’ place in California. Got in lots of reading and family time and, on the last day, headed up to Yosemite for a short snowshoe trip.

We set out from Badger Pass Ski Area and walked along Old Glacier Point Road before cutting back and ending up at the top of the ski runs. Really fantastic hike with almost no one else out there.

: The intrepid explorers.

: Bundled up for warmth.

: The view out one side of the ridge. The weather and clouds held just long enough for us to finish our hike.

: The view out the other side of the ridge.

: The view at the top of the ski runs at Badger Pass. We stuck to the tree line and hiked down through fresh powder.

August 9, 2012

Cathedral Lakes, Yosemite National Park

A couple weeks ago I spent a week at my parents house in California. First day there we hiked to Cathedral Lakes and back which I hadn’t done since I was a little kid. Great 8 mile hike up through a forest and ending in a gorgeous alpine lake.

: The view from halfway up the trail.

: This was behind us as we walked to the lake. Made me think of the White Tower of Gondor.

: There’s nothing like a meadow in the high country of Yosemite.

: Cathedral Lake. Not as cold as you might imagine for being at about 10,000 feet.

November 22, 2011

Yosemite Valley from the air

Snapped while flying into Fresno, CA this morning.

July 12, 2011

Hiking through Yosemite

I took a long weekend and headed home for a few days. The snowpack this winter was one of the best in the last decade or so which means the waterfalls in Yosemite are tremendous.

Saturday was filled with the 4 Mile Trail (the name’s a lie, really 4.7 miles each way). It’s an awesome trail with great views of the valley, Yosemite Falls, and a wonderful panorama from Glacier Point. It’s also 3,200 feet of elevation gain.

Monday I headed up to the high country and did a much shorter 5+ mile hike out Tamarack Creek. Pretty easy compared to Saturday but it ended with some great cascades. It was also great because over 5 miles we saw only a half dozen people, something that’s really rare for Yosemite in July.