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| 30th
Annual February in Yosemite Valley Feb4-13,
2015 |
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| The first picture of Yosemite Falls was before
it rained for a couple days, the rest after the rain |
| Mike claims he
didn't go to Yosemite in February until after he was living in Ridgecrest
which he started doing in 1986. Barry& I had been going to Sunnyside walk-in
for at least a few years before Mike started the Sunnyside trips. We decided 1985
would be a nice reference point. (I think it's longer). Over that span
there has been at least one of us there except for 19xx when the valley
was closed because of flooding. I missed another when I was in New York in
1993 (Barry was there with others that year). Barry missed one when he had
heart by-pass surgery. (I was there with Rusty & his family). Mike
missed several preferring to be skiing at Mammoth. We had moved from
Sunnyside to Lower Pines, then to Upper Pines which started being used
after the flood. (Lower Pines is better in the winter, more out of the
shadow of Glacier Point and closer to the river). After the flood the
River Campgrounds went away. In February they only have a couple loops
open on one campground, now Upper Pines. (Usually 2 to 4 depending on the
number of campers which depends on weather). Sunnyside is also open as
well of some platform tents in Curry Village, Yosemite Lodge and the
Ahwanee. There are very few in the valley compared to the over crowded
summer time when National Park means no place to park. |
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| Part of the Wawona Hotel which is closed for the season. |
South Fork of the Merced River at the Wawona Campground |
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| Discovery View (Now called Tunnel View) before
the rains/snow. (Clouds rest picked up a little snow since snow level was
above 8,000') |
| I spent 7 nights in Upper Pines Campground. We
had three campsites for $50 a night. (They are going to
finally raise the rent some time soon, California campgrounds are already
through the roof on cost. I don't use pay campsites on my side of the
Sierra). Barry showed up after two days as well as
Mike & Vickie in a large 5th wheel. |
| Vernal Falls |
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| Vernal falls from below on the trail and out
the view from the crack |
People investigating the crack we showed them |
| This was the first February I
have ever seen the gate to the Mist Trail open, usually we have to ignore the
gate and go around it to make an attempt. Rarely have we made the top of
Vernal that route in the winter. This year they had the other trail closed
because of rock avalanche. Mike made it out to the falls side of the crack
and got a good picture, I'm not as skinny as I used to be. |
| Waterfalls of Yosemite Valley |
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| Illilouette
Falls (370') Vernal
Falls (317') Yosemite
Falls (upper 1430', 2425' total)
Ribbon
Falls (1612')
Bridalveil Falls (pre rain picture) (620') |
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| North Dome sunset behind the stables |
The Tunnel Tree in the Tuolumne Grove we hiked down to |
| Last time I was in the Tuolumne Grove you could
drive down the one way road. I lost my brakes on a new little 1986
Oldsmobile Firenza. The road came out near the 120 entrance Kiosk and
has long been closed to vehicle traffic. |
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| 1996 Jeep, 1991 Chevy dually, 1985 Lance
camper & El Capitan |
Camp - Upper Pines - Loop 1 - Slot 21 ($10
a night with senior discount) |
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