Yosemite NP

A long day started off at 6:00am for the pick up near the hotel then it was off after a few pickups to the Yosemite National Park. The first stop on the way was the Tuolumne Grove to see some giant sequoias.

The trees in this grove were never logged because the road down to them was extremely steep. 400 feet down in one mile to the bottom.

On the way down I stopped to take in the dogwoods which were in their fall (autumn) colours.

Reaching the grove at the bottom of the track, the surviving sequoias are truly awe inspiring for their sheer size.

The only way I could get a photo of this tree was with my iPhone and to do as panorama shot. Hence the slightly distorted appearance.

Lightning struck specimen.

I remember seeing a photo of this tree many years ago, with a logging truck in the middle. I had no idea where this was and was surprised see it. After General Sherman, this is probably the most "famous" sequoia.

From here is was on to the Yosemite National Park for our first stop at Tunnel View.

You can see all the photos and videos in online and in brochures, 

but there is nothing like seeing it in person.

This applies to the Grand Canyon and equally well here.

The view from Tunnel View. El Capitan on the left, Half Dome in the centre.

Half Dome.

I found this view to have lunch. Not another soul around. I had this all to myself for about half an hour.

El Capitan, 1,200 m of vertical rock. A climbers mecca.

Reaching for the tripod and long lens, I found some climbers suspended on the face.

Climbers on El Capitan.

One advantage of going on a group trip is that you get taken to some of the best views and the last stop was to be no exception. Pity it was late in the day with shadows from the right though spoiling an otherwise top shot.

Yosemite reflections

After we had got our photos it was time to get back on the bus for the long drive back to San Francisco. On the way back the driver/guide told us that large bush fires in California had resulted in a town of 50,000 being evacuated. We were to catch up with the developing situation 2 days later.

San Francisco blog.