Glacier Point Road Opens
By 6:30am, March 28, the photographers were already in place at Glacier Point...to capture the sunrise over Yosemite's majestic peaks. A group of college students on spring break were enjoying the beginning of a new day...welcoming the radiant warmth of the sunshine. A new season for the Glacier Point Road...with a very early opening date...as Memorial Day is the usual opening date, as in 2010 and 2011. Recent years have seen an early opening as well: April 14, 2014, May 3, 2013, and April 20, 2012.
The Glacier Point Road begins at Chinquapin, a short distance of less than 1 mile from the Yosemite West turnoff, and ends 16 miles later at Glacier Point!
Along the Glacier Point Road......
1. Summit Meadow
Summit Meadow comes into view in about 6 miles....still a couple of patches of snow.....lots of frogs croaking in harmony!!! The Pacific Chorus frogs....officially called the Sierra Nevada yellow legged frogs.
2. Merced Peak View
Merced Peak View comes into view in about 7 miles....still snow capped....the source of the Merced River.
3. Bridalveil Creek
A stop at the Bridalveil Creek, a calm creek provided for a tranquil picture...with reflection. The creek starts in part at Ostrander Lake and down creek, of course, right on course it falls into the West side of Yosemite Valley as Bridalveil Fall.
4. Clark Range View
The Clark Range View comes into view in about 11 miles. Snow capped and beautiful. One of Scenic Wonders cabins is named in honor of Galen Clark, Yosemite's first guardian during the days of the Yosemite Grant.
5. Sentinel Dome
Sentinel Dome comes into view in a couple of miles.....with trailhead parking just ahead for the Taft Point and Sentinel Dome hikes. These are two of the most popular and rewarding hikes in the Park. They are short hikes, an easy climb up Sentinel Dome...vistas. Near the trailhead parking, beautiful phlox was already in bloom!!!!!!! Lodgepole pines are plentiful in this area.
6. Washburn Point
An excellent stop is Washburn Point.....a different view of Half Dome....another picture of beautiful Half Dome....and more views of the Clark Range View.
Destination......Glacier Point...long ago....covered by 700 feet of glacial ice .....inspirational.....
7. Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall
Mt. Lyell, the Park's highest peak at 13114 feet...possesses a small glacier, one of three in the Park
Mt. Hoffman at 10850 feet, the Park's geographical center
Half Dome
Tenaya Canyon
Yosemite Falls.
Take the time to visit the geology exhibit... a small stone hut......but remember...Glacier Point is the real exhibit in itself.....
Yosemite Valley's Four Mile trail ends at Glacier Point. A couple of tents were pitched just before the point...they didn't know....there is no camping within a 4 mile radius of Glacier Point.
The Panaroma Trail and the Pohono Trail begin at the Glacier Point Area.
In the summer at Glacier Point.....Naturalist and campfire programs are provided. There is a large telescope in front of the geology exhibit. On some evenings... star programs are offered. Hang gliders...catch the wind as they glide down from Glacier Point to the Valley...usually landing at either ...Ahwahnee meadow or El Capitan meadow, again...in the summer time.
At Glacier Point, basic services are provided...restrooms and a small store for ice cream and souvenirs.
Souvenir...comes from the French...come to mind... memories... Someone once wrote, "Memory is an art gallery in which you can collect Beauty." So return home with a mind..... full of memories and a heart.....overflowing with joy....at the wonders of Yosemite and its Glacier Point...and the wonders of Nature. In harmony with Nature.... sing along with frogs at Summit Meadow. As David Crosby sings most harmoniously......with Graham Nash in the song Lay Me Down, ".....even though its hard to know just how the story ends.....a soul knows where it's been, i want to feel my spirit lifted up and catch my breath again....." Come and enjoy the beauty and inspiration of Glacier Point.
Let Scenic Wonders help you with your cabin accommodations......and your Yosemite Memories. Ask about our Spring Specials.
Another terrific day in Yosemite.
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