High Sierra Topix

Here is the 2016 trip report, with photos!

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Link to 2017 trip report, photos restored, a wet year trip May31-June 4. Note that 2017 was a high snowpack winter, thus later trip.

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Thanks for re-posting with photos Nancy. These pictures round out valley and rim views seen in the others shots you took in this post, from Crocker to Taft Point, and around Panorama Trail and up to Quarter Domes.
Yosemite Valley trails are truly amazing; I'll just have to get over my fear of the crowds.

I have always met very interesting people when backpacking in Yosemite, especially camping at the Backpacker's Campground. Lots of international travelers. The BP campground is also used by trans-country bicyclists. And lots of climbers. Harlen, I think you would fit right in. And if you get up very early AM you can have solitude. And just leave the Valley trails for a couple hundred feet and you will be alone. And I love to watch the average "tourist" looking up in awe. But do not go in summer; crowded and smoggy (I really wish they would not allow campfires). You also have to minimize driving- walk and take shuttle busses. Late April to early June is the best. April-May Dogwoods bloom! I also like to hang out in the Valley in winter.

All good advice. I really have enjoyed my time there in winter, and we had a nice family trip in fall that I mean to share one day. But those amazing spring trips with all the water I've completely missed.

I also restored photos of a 2017 trip which was a high snow year. The link is added with the 2016 link, above. the 2017 trip was yet another way to mix-and-match backpacks and day-hiking in the Valley.

I found it, and checked it out again. I remembered this trip report of yours from the photo of the big rattler that you put up on a rock to get the perfect photograph. Great shots. It seems like that was the trip of the flooded valley more than your 2016 trip. I hope you didn't have to cross the raging creek seen in your photo titled: "Yosemite Creek near camp."

Daisy, you write:

I returned upstream about half a mile to quickly dunk in a safe and secluded flooded bank of the river. The river was shockingly cold but it felt good once out.

An oblique way to say the water was awful? Wouldn't it be more honest to simply admit that cold water bathing is miserable. I'd rather take two hot showers at home to get all the grime off, and then keep it on my own land.