OK, so our December 9, 2000 trip did not offer the snow level necessary for snow shoes or the temperatures required to chill us to the bone, but Eric, Frank and I did discover the magnificence of Yosemite Valley in the winter time. Our snowshoes never left the Jeep and our winter parkas remained strapped to our packs the entire time, but we never minded that as we gazed incredulously across the deep divide which separated our Glacier Point vantage point from the cloud-shrouded wonder of Half Dome, or down to Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls, where we'd hiked the previous day.
Nevada Falls towers above the valley floor some 1,900 feet, with a 594 foot plunge and its waters then roar over Vernal Falls, creating misty skies such as are seldom seen elsewhere. But, being December, there had been no snow melt to fuel these wondrous locales, and the falls were impotent compared to what they would be in the spring. Glacier Point, 3,200 feet above the valley floor, and a 9.2 mile moderately strenuous roundtrip hike, provided us with an unbelievable vista. This is a must see spot, and for non-hikers, can be reached by car during non-winter months. In the winter, once the road from Badger Pass Ski Resort to Glacier Point is closed, cross country skiing and snow shoe trekking to Glacier Point is possible. That's what we'll do next year.
From nearly every vantage point, one is overcome by the precipitous nature of the valley walls. The Washington Columns, stark cliffs, which rise up above the valley floor, are a good example. El Capitan and Half Dome are two other examples of massive rock faces. Rock Climbers are in heaven here.
Frank, looking confident, but check out the snow & ice covered trail on the way to Glacier Point - a bit scary at times.
We shared a great dinner at the Yosemite Lodge the first night following our day of hiking to the falls. I generally avoid the valley due to crowds, but this winter trip proved most enjoyable and relatively free of people. OK. Enough said - let's see a few photos. Go to my Photo Album for more photos from this trip.
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