Winter in Yosemite

Patrick & I spent Black Friday showing my dad a bit of Yosemite rather than the Merced mall. You'll recognize some of the scenery we posted of Fall colors, but the change in weather creates a different landscape! Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them, for a better look.

Part of the route to the park, through the Sierra National Forest, includes a traffic light timed to allow only one flow of traffic on a one-lane segment of road. We've concluded this to be due to a fence blocking what must be the original road, now caved in by a hillside slide!

You are required to carry and sometimes install chains while you drive through Yosemite during winter, such as this particular day. We purchased a set that morning in anticipation of it, but it took a moment to figure them out. It's funny how in MI chains are illegal, but required in CA! :)

That's a sheet of ice under Patrick's feet! The chains rumbled something fierce on the roadway when the layer of precipitation was too thin, Patrick bloodied up his finger getting cut, and both he & my father dirtied their coats. What a pain! But it was probably for the best to have them on, since we did get held up later by someone being towed out of a snowbank on the edge of a ravine.

While the men equipped the car, I acted as photographer, snapping a few shots of the pretty scenes surrounding us.
And a close-up, below:


With Doris bundled up for winter, we headed into the valley:

Posing in front of El Capitan. I didn't expect so many people at the park that day, but it was beautiful out. Children and their parents occupied the field on the opposite side of the road, engaged with sleds and snowball fights.


Bridalveil Falls above and Lower Yosemite Falls below.


We're standing on top of a fence buried in snow. I was avoiding a spot where the ground sunk in a foot or so between posts, but my dad fell in partially when he ran to take his place after setting the camera's timer. hehe :)

So majestic! It even looks like it's wearing a halo.

Unfortunately you have to snowshoe several miles if you want to see Mariposa Grove at this time of year. At least Dad was able to see part of a redwood! We'll save the Grove for a future trip.


Nearing the end of the day, when the fog sets in!


Patrick's panoramic of Tunnel View in winter. Notice how the wisps of fog look from this perspective!

I also included a close-up from my cam that shows off the indigo coloring from the setting sun.

Can't wait to see more of the park, and during the remaining seasons too!