Canyonfire Photo Gallery: YosemiteI decided on the spur of the moment to go camping in Yosemite in late October 2001. On a Saturday morning, I grabbed my tent, pack, and gear from the garage, threw them in the car, stopped at Safeway for some grub, then headed east from Oakland. Got there around 1:15 (it's a 4-hour, 185-mile drive from Oakland) and was relieved to be able to get one of the last walk-in tentsites at Sunnyside Campground (known by mountain climbers as Camp 4). Camp 4 is right in the middle of Yosemite Valley across from Yosemite Lodge. That afternoon I walked to the historic Ahwanee Hotel from the Visitor Center after watching a really evocative orientation movie on Yosemite and touring the reconstructed Indian village. Sunday I hiked to the Happy Isles Visitor Center and part way to Vernal Fall, then drove on Glacier Point Point Road to the spectacular overlook at Glacier Point. On the way back, I hiked the short trail to Taft Point, directly opposite El Capitan, reaching it in late afternoon. What a fantastic view! Gives a body a good dose of vertigo. Monday I hiked part way up Upper Yosemite Fall Trail from Camp 4, and then headed home. Here are a few pix. Click thumbnails to see blow-ups and commentary. Larry Lynch |
