David and Julia's Living Book

Sierra Nevada Mountains

Summer Vacation

September 11 - 13, 2010: Oakland to Yosemite

What a wonderful week Julia and I spent touring and hiking through the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. We started our tour of this sylvan wonderland with the granite jewel, Yosemite.

Moonrise over Yosemite

We have both been here many times before, but I never get tired of this place.

When we arrived, we took a short walk at the eastern end of the park to stretch our legs after the long drive from home.

On the second day, we hiked to Stanford Point, 6,000 feet up at the western end of the park.

The Yosemite Valley

The views of Yosemite Valley are among the best from there. The weather was clear and sunny but not too hot—perfect.

On the next day, we hiked 16 miles and climbed 5,000 feet to Half Dome at the eastern end of the park. We started walking at 6:00 AM to avoid the crowds that gather to climb the dome.

Half Dome

However, even with our early start, we still encountered a human traffic jam on the last section of the climb. The effort was worth it, as the scenery and views were superb. We returned to the car at 6:00 PM, completing a full 12 hours of walking.

September 14, 2010: May Lake

We took Highway 120 east through the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains, enjoying views of vast granite outcrops.

May Lake

We detoured to hike up to May Lake, a beautiful high mountain lake. From this hike, we saw Half Dome again, this time from the eastern side.

After enjoying our regular cheese sandwich at May Lake, we continued east on Highway 120 until we reached Tuolumne Meadows.

Tuolumne Meadows

This high prairieland is surrounded by granite crags. The invigorating views and air make it a place I hope to revisit soon.

From there, we traveled toward the far eastern side of the ranges, watching as the white granite gave way to less sturdy rock and the Sierra Nevada Mountains transitioned into the Nevada high desert.

September 15, 2010: Mono Lake

We spent a miserable night in a ghastly motel in Lee Vining. We planned to stay two nights but decided to leave after the unpleasant experience. Julia returned the key, and the owner refunded us immediately, without question. I guess he's used to people leaving early.

Tufas of Mono Lake

From Lee Vining, it was a short drive to Mono Lake. The diversion of its feeder rivers for Los Angeles' water supply has caused the lake level to drop, exposing the Tufas—limestone towers formed from carbonate minerals in underground springs. These peculiar formations give the lake a unique and eerie appearance.

Next, we visited the ghost town of Bodie. Though isolated and reached via an unpaved road, the journey was well worth it.

The ghost town of Bodie

Bodie, located in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada range, is a National Historic Landmark administered by California State Parks. At an elevation of 8,379 feet, it offers a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of American life.

September 16, 2010: Wolf Creek

Near the intersection of Highway 89 and Highway 4, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, lies the Carson Iceberg Wilderness.

Wolf Creek

We enjoyed a magnificent hike along Wolf Creek, surrounded by the Toiyabe National Forest and tall granite escarpments. Julia and I once again savored our cheese sandwiches in a phenomenal spot. Afterward, we returned to our hotel in Topaz, Nevada.

September 17, 2010: Lake Alpine and Arnold

We headed west through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Arnold, where we stayed with our good friends Holly, Alex, and Claire.

Mosquito Lake

Along the way, we stopped for a hike near Lake Alpine and enjoyed another cheese sandwich picnic in a breathtaking setting. That evening, we attended a Sheryl Crow concert at the Ironstone Amphitheatre in Murphys, California—a perfect end to the day.

September 18, 2010: Angels Camp

We concluded our summer with water skiing at New Melones Lake.

Not a pleasant sight, but it was fun

Holly and Alex impressed us with their water skiing and wakeboarding skills. I made my second attempt at water skiing behind a speeding motorboat. While it wasn't a graceful sight, it was undeniably fun.