Eagle Peak...

Just 2.6 miles past Yosemite Falls. The water that gives birth to the falls comes from snowmelt. This time of the year and with the drought, Yosemite Wall is more appropriate. You can see a sheen where the cascade has been on the rock though.

Eagle Peak at 7,730 feet is worth the extra bonus miles and altitude. I did see an eagle or hawk swoon by near enough to hand me a High-Five with his outstretched wing. A close encounter of the bird kind.

It was a warmish day and I earned my IPAs and water that evening. 

Remember! Hydrate or Die!

Californians...

Even though one out of every ten Americans resides in the "Golden State," they are a unique mob. 

And I have photos to prove it!

Photo One: Hiker Dude in American flag tights. This guy raced by me as if I were a granite boulder. It must be the tights. Anyone know where I can buy a pair?

I'll try most things to turn back the effects of Daddy Time.

Photo Two: Meet Matt, an ultralight hiker/trail runner training for a 100 mile race. I met him at noon and he had twenty miles under his shoes already. He had another thirty more to go. Next to him was all his luggage. This was his third day "out there."  My pack could eat his pack. I offered him food, but no thanks. He was existing on Cliff Bars and a yellow protein drink powder. Yummy! The funny thing was all the techno gadgets he carried: I Phone, GPS, emergency beacon and a solar charger to keep them all fed.

Nice guy. I hope he wins his race. He drinks IPAs too. 

Photo Three: Yep! The Hippy Vans can still acquire license plates in California. Lisa and I saw the van owners later on in a campground. They were an older, very serene, zen looking couple. Apparently they have never been jaded (like me)  by modern society! Good on them!

Photo Four: Barley's newest bumper sticker. I think I'll go and get a flower for my hair.

Peace! 

Jeff

Camino de Panorama Trail...

with fellow Santiago pilgrim (class of 2013) Lisa Premo, the Jewish woman with the Italian name.

While we ventured down across the cliff sides, we sought eight more Jews to make a minyan. (That's the required number of Hebrews needed to perform a Temple service). There were lots of Europeans, Asians and a spattering of Yanks, but no fellow "Chosen Ones." 

For me, it was a lot more spiritual and meaningful than a Rabbi's Friday Night service. There was no guilt either!

Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley...

Backpack trip.

I was nearly orgasmic when I scored a last gasp permit for this 30 mile in 3 days (mostly downhill) stroll.

The amble turned out to be better than I thought it would be. I found peaceful and lonesome campsites during a California BUSY Labor Day Weekend.

Isn't that what a wilderness experience is supposed to be? 

Those are my feet at Bernice Lake. Another tough day on the trail in Yosemite NP.

Gaylor Lake Basin...

A short and sweet (like me) hike to a two blue and cool lakes. There's remnants of silver mines up there too. Don't venture into them though, you might get shafted! 

No Clouds at Clouds Rest Overlook...

On this 14 mile (uphill both ways) hike. I was looking down from 9,926 feet to Half Dome. No matter what angle or altitude you view this granite gargantuan from in Yosemite, your eyes are ratcheted upon it instantly. It's an "Awww!" magnet.

Here's a shot of me not too often seen. I'm sitting down! It happens every now and then like a total eclipse.

Yosemite National Park and the Range of Light...

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings." John Muir

During the death and destruction years of America's Civil War, honest Abe and the Union Congress took a break from the daily body count figures and signed the "Yosemite Grant" into law. For the first time in history an area was set aside for preservation, just because it was beyond amazing. The grant included Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Giant Sequoia grove. A relatively small chunk of the US, but the birthplace of a large concept: National Parks and Wilderness Areas.

What's really impressive was most of Congress and Lincoln knew they would never see the fruits of their labors. The wilds of the Sierra Nevada was as distant as Mars is today.

Now that's unselfish and forward thinking at the same time. 

I spent over a week in this diamond in the rough. Come along and see the sights of Yosemite  Sam-bur's visit there.

Cheers!