YOSEMITE PARK - YOSEMITE VALLEY

My only regret about this visit to the incomparable Yosemite is that this year's drought dried up almost all running water, and there were no waterfalls to grace the picture postcard shots one must take there. The most breathtaking moments were spent watching two parties of climbers on the face of El Capitan--up thousands of feet on the vertical rock wall, tied together, and working backpacks of supplies on ropes to climbers above. Even using my powerful binoculars, the climbers were mere specks on the vast wall, and I could not see them at all without the binoculars. Big snow was forecast for the weekend following our visit, though we were comfortable in 68 degree weather when we were there. We assumed the climbers would find a way to get to the summit before the snow, but the thought of sleeping in a bag hanging 4000 feet above the rocks below with snow on the way gave me nightmares. The luxurious Ahwahnee Hotel ($350 - $700 per night, so we did not stay there) provided a lobby with fireplace, glorious tapestries and furnishings to rest a moment after our hikes around the valley.

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Copyright© 2002 - Darrell Taylor