My friend Michael has spent more quality time in National Parks than anyone I’ve ever met. Better still he’s a photographer with an excellent eye for wildlife and landscape photography. Best of all he’s generous with advice of where not to miss. Clouds Rest was his “Do not miss!” and I’m glad I didn’t.
Many of my hikes are to an amazing destination with perhaps a point of interest or two along the way. Yosemite hikes tend to be much richer than my typical hikes but the hike to Clouds Rest was nonstop joy. The trail from Tioga Road lead through sub-Alpine forest, past lovely still waters, and along craggily cliff tops with extended vistas of the park.
A lovely hike and one I thank Michael for urging me to make.
Below are few scenes from along the way …
As I reached the base of the peak I saw contented faces descending.
Here you look down the path that glaciers flowed to form Yosemite Valley.
The lake below is Tanya Lake which is where my hike began.
The upper valley shows smooth rock faces that flowing glaciers polished.
Yet another perspective of Half Dome, this from the side I climbed it.
This smile needed no coaxing beyond simply being atop Clouds Rest.
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