Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is a National Park I had been hearing of from friends and in general. I heard of how great it was, how beautiful it was.

Well, I was not disappointed. Yosemite National Park is everything I ever heard it was and more.

Travel

I originally booked a flight to Reno in September with the intentions of going to Yosemite. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about their ticket to gain entry system until after I had booked the flight.

Luckily the beer bug has given us a world with free ticket changes, so this ended up not being a problem at all. I waited until the first of September and got a reservation in October. Tickets seemed to go reasonably fast, but I got mine for entry on Sunday October 18. I had wanted for Saturday, but that was fine.

Flight

The flight Oklahoma City (OKC) to Reno (RNO) was $178 round-trip on American Airlines in Main Cabin. What a steal. The fact it was still available a week or so later to rebook was even more insane. I headed up Friday the 16th after work and arrived into Reno late.

Reno and Tahoe

Friday was not a good day, and I started the day off Saturday on a sour note. I had gotten in late, so I didn’t get up particularly early, and headed out around noon. I visited Donner Pass and drove around Lake Tahoe. Tahoe is absolutely gorgeous and the commercial aspect of it has been kept at a minimum – I’m pretty impressed.

As I headed south, I admired the beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This was truly my first look at them in person. It is truly a beautiful range, much more than they are given credit for.

Mammoth Lakes

I decided to base myself on the east side of the park in Mammoth Lakes. I stayed at the Holiday Haus for 3 nights and my total was around $250. The room was really nice too! The smoke was thick in Mammoth, however. Devil’s Postpile National Monument was closed due to fire, which was disappointing as I wanted to get a NPS stamp.

Yosemite National Park

I had 3 full days in Yosemite starting Sunday the 18th. Each day I entered through the Inyo National Forest and went over Tioga pass at 10,000 feet. What a beautiful drive into the park. Once you are actually inside Yosemite, the views just ontinue to get better. I spent 3 days driving the entire park and valley. These are the photos as a result.

Donner PassDonner Pass in California

South Lake Tahoe

South of Lake TahoeFall colors were strong in this area

Raymond Peak

Sierra Nevada Mountains

Entering Mono CountyCalifornia Scenic Route 89 at the mono county line

West Walker River

Sunset in the MountainsSun sets behind the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Bridgeport, California

California Mountain Sunset

California Fall ColorsFall colors near Mono City, California

Mono Lake Vista PointTwilight over Mono Lake from the Mono Lake Vista Point on highway 395

California Gas Prices

Overlooking Yosemite Valley

El Capitan

Overlooking Indian CreekSmoke fills the valley in Yosemite National Park

Half Dome from Glacier PointView from Glacier Point

Sunset in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite West Sunset

El Capitan at night

Inyo National Forest Sign

View as you approach Yosemite from the eastHeading up California Highway 120 westbound to the Yosemite National Park entrance at Tioga Pass

Fog on the mountains in the morningLooking east from California highway 120 near Tioga Pass

Yosemite National ParkBurned trees from a past forest fire in Yosemite National Park

Tenaya LakeTenaya Lake in Yosemite National Park

Mount GibbsMount Gibbs reflects off a still pond in Yosemite National Park

Olmsted PointView of Half Dome from Olmsted Point at sunset in Yosemite National Park

Meteor Shower in YosemiteOrionid meteor shower in Yosemite National Park

Night Sky over Tenaya LakeDark sky over Lake Tenaya in Yosemite National Park

Looking up at the Milky Way overheadDark skies over Yosemite NP

Yosemite Night Sky

Tenaya LakeNight sky reflects off Tenaya Lake in Yosemite

Merced RiverGlass reflections along highway 140

The smoke was badThe smoke was very bad on my last day in the park

Tunnel ViewpointLooking back at Yosemite Valley from the tunnel viewpoint

Yosemite Valley ViewThere was no wind so it was extremely smoky. The upside is that the water was very reflective

Cathedral Rocks in SmokeSmoky valley as the afternoon sun wanes