Great Views,Few Crowds
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GREAT VIEWS, FEW CROWDS AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS ABOVE YOSEMITE
Julia McHugh
Santamariatimes.com
June 27, 2010
From atop Sentinel Dome, Yosemite Valley is a deep trough in an ocean filled with granite waves in all directions.
At 8,122 feet above sea level, the view is of crags and domes of granite, patches of pines and scrub clinging to the rock, and a few shining slivers that are distant waterfalls. The sky is true azure blue and fluffy white clouds race overhead.
Far below, the Valley’s Ahwahnee Hotel looks like it’s made of Legos. Clusters of tiny cars clog pencil-thin roads. It’s crowded down there. But not up here on Sentinel Dome. There are a few day hikers, like us, a couple of serious photographers, and a pair of out-of-breath parents racing their kids up the last few feet to the summit.
In fact, the Glacier Point and Wawona areas in Yosemite’s high country are surprisingly crowd-free on this busy weekend. Most visitors are driving to or from the Valley. Though some parking lots here are full and there are busloads of tourists at Glacier Point itself, this region feels vast and open compared to the bustling Valley – but just as rewarding in terms of scenery and family fun. (more…)