Slideshow - Beautiful Mountains and Landscapes

This is a slideshow presenting beautiful mountains and landscapes from some of the hikes I went on in California and Washington states.

California:

Yosemite, High Sierra, Mt. Whitney, Death Valley, Lake Tahoe, Ralston Peak, Maggies Peak, Joshua Tree, Anza Borrego, Point Reyes, Mt. Tam, McWay Falls, Point Mugu, Big Pine Lakes, Sam Mack Meadow, North Palisades, Kearsarge Pass, Sequoia/Kings Canyon, Half Dome, Firefall, El Capitan, Clouds Rest, Mt. Hoffmann, Mt. Dana, Cathedral Peak, Mt. Shasta, Desolation Wilderness, Alamere falls, North Table Mountain, Phantom Falls, Round Top Mountain, Red Lake Peak, Winnemucca Lake. Mt. McCoy, Walker Canyon, Carrizo Plain, Tamales Point

 

Washington:

Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, North Cascades, Colchuck Lake, The Enchantments,  Mt. Adams, Maple Pass, Mt. Ellinor, Mt. Washington, Sourdough Mountain, Hidden Lake, Skagit Valley, Table Mountain, Cascade Pass, Sahale Arm, Palouse Falls,

Camera used: 

iPhone 6s 

iPhone 8 

Nikon Cool Pix

Video by Lifeisamt

Yosemite Firefall 2016

Natural Firefall in Yosemite Valley on February 24, 2016. About two weeks in late February, when the right conditions come together, the sunset light hits El Capitan’s Horsetail Fall at perfect angle. As a result, the waterfall is illuminated glowing like a fire-fall.

2016 February presented a perfect condition for the firefall, with enough snow and water for Horsetail fall, thanks to El Nino, and the weather was favorable for the firefall to occur.

2019 February may bring another great opportunity for Firefall due to the significant amount of the rainfall and snow received this winter.

Video by Lifeisamt

Clouds Rest 9/28/2017 - Yosemite NP, CA

 

9-28-2017

Clouds Rest offers one of the most breathtaking 360 panoramic views in Yosemite Valley as it gives the best vantage point of the valley.  The hike also provides quite an impressive and thrilling experience as you traverse the narrow ridge with sheer drop-offs on both sides to reach the summit. The fastest and shortest way to scale Cloud's Rest is from the Sunrise Lakes trailhead on Tioga Road near Tenaya Lake. 

From the trailhead, follow the trail sign for Sunrise H.S.C. After the first 1.5 mile, the trail starts to climb steeply in switchbacks. The switchbacks will get your heart rate going no doubt as you gain 1,000' in just one mile. No pain, no gain! Go easy and be careful as you cross the narrow ridge to the top...both sides of the sharp ridge are sheer drop-offs.

Take in amazing vistas from the summit...many of Yosemite landmarks such as Half Dome, Mt. Hoffman, Mt. Dana, Sentinel Dome, North Dome, Tenaya Lake, Cathedral Rock and El Capitan...and many peaks of High Sierras.

There were rockfalls at El Capitan two days in a row. The second rockfall at El Cap was seen in this hike from the top of Clouds Rest.

Video by Lifeisamt

El Capitan's Second Rockfall Seen From Clouds Rest 9/28/2017 - Yosemite NP, CA

3:22 PM, 9/28/2017

9-28-2017

El Capitan's massive rockfall occurred for second straight day, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, in Yosemite National Park. A gigantic granite slab fell from the east wall of El Capitan. I was hiking up Clouds Rest on Thursday and happened to see the rockfall covering the valley with a cloud of dust.  

It's a sobering reminder that the landscape is constantly changing even though it may not seem like that.

Video by Lifeisamt

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Lembert Dome and Dog Lake 9/17/2017 - Yosemite NP, CA

 

 

 

9/17/2017


This short hike to the top of Lembert Dome offers a spectacular view of Tuolumne Meadows and some of the notable peaks of Yosemite's high country.  It's less crowded and breathtaking views from the top are worth the trip. Also, Dog Lake is just a short distance from Lembert Dome.

Every time when I passed by this big granite rock rising near Toulumne Meadows along Tioga road, it always caught my attention and made me wonder....what it would be like to stand on the top of it. Don't be surprised as you trek up to the top....it's gigantic!....even though it looks much smaller than Half Dome or El Capitan. The views from the top are spectacular! Sweeping vistas in all directions....Toulumne Meadows, Cathedral Peak, Mt. Hoffman, Mt. Dana and more.
 

Use caution as you ascend the face of the dome. There is no obvious trail on the granite slabs, so choose a safe route aiming to the top.

Video by Lifeisamt

Hike up Mount Dana (13,061') 8/15/2017 - Yosemite National Park, CA

August 15, 2007

Mount Dana 13,061' is the second highest peak in Yosemite after Mount Lyell (13,120'). The trail reaches the summit in 2.6 miles. It's relatively a short hike; however, the journey to scale Dana is challenging due to high altitude climbing up to over 13,000'. So, pace yourself as you go.  

There's no trailhead sign for this hike. The trail starts right behind the staff parking area ("Authorized Vehicles Only") across the road from Tioga Pass East Entrance of Yosemite NP. The trail is in good shape over all. The first mile is loaded with wildflowers, wow! Their display is quite impressive. 

The trail climbs steeply after meadows with lakes and flowers. Soon the forest thins out and steep rocky terrain begins. Enjoy views as you go. There's a short snowfield to cross around 11,600', but not difficult to traverse. The last 700' to the summit gets tough with the trail climbing up the steep slope of scree and talus rock above 1,2000'. Follow cairns as you go.  

Although the journey started out with blue skies and broken clouds, by the time when I reached the top, clouds rolled in covering the west side of the mountain while the east side remained clear. Hence, there was no view to the west, but the view to the east was spectacular with Mono Lake, Dana plateau/glaciers and beyond. Although the western views were blocked with the clouds, it actually created such a surreal beauty surrounding the summit. It was worth the effort. 

Big mountains like Dana make their own weather. Keep an eye on cloud formations for whiteout and thunderstorms. Mountain weather can change very quickly. Stay vigilant as you go. Happy hiking! ;)

 Video by Lifeisamt

Little Yosemite via Canyon View Trail - Sunol Regional Wilderness, CA

April 28, 2017

Do you know there's a little Yosemite not so far from the cities in the Bay Area? You don't have to drive all the way to Yosemite National Park!

Sunol Regional Wilderness is just several miles from I-680 Freeway. The vast open space and forests situated in the East Bay hills north of Silicon Valley include rolling hills, hiking trails, rocks/boulder formations, rivers, waterfalls and wildlife.

Whoever named it, Little Yosemite in Sunol offers a series of waterfalls, river and impressive canyon views with big rocks and boulders. Although there's no monolith like El Capitan or Half Dome, the journey to Little Yosemite offers a pleasant hike that kids and family can enjoy.

Canyon View Trail is a good workout hike with some steep grade and it gets your heart rate going no doubt. If you prefer easygoing hike, the wide dirt road from the parking area is a good choice to hike to Little Yosemite.

 

 

 Video by Lifeisamt

Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows and Lower Cathedral Lake - Yosemite National Park, CA

"This I may say is the first time I have been to church in California." 

 (John Muir after making the first recorded ascent of Cathedral Peak in 1896.)

October 22, 2016

Distance:  7 miles round trip to Lower Cathedral Lake 
Trailhead Elevation:  8,500 ft  

Lower Cathedral Lake Elevation:  9,290 ft

How to Get there: Traihead is located at 1/2 mile west of the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. Park your car along the road and make sure not to block traffic. Shuttle Stop #7.  Start hike at Cathedral Lakes trailhead, 

Late October, gorgeous fall colors are seen along Tioga Pass Road as you drive from HWY 395 to Yosemite National Park's high country. Snow capped eastern High Sierra's craggy peaks are so dramatic and breathtaking.  

The hike starts near Tuolumne Meadows along Tioga Road. The trail to Cathedral Lake is part of the John Muir Trail.  This is a very popular hike, so there will be other hikers on the trail.  But, no worries....crowds are much less compared to Yosemite Valley's zoo like condition! 

Lower Cathedral Lake offers quite impressive landscape of Yosemite's granite slabs/boulders and High Sierra's peaks with alpine lakes. Cathedral Peak, Echo and Tresidder Peaks loom along Lower Cathedral Lake. Enjoy spectacular landscape and views of high peaks and the alpine lake. It's like you are in a paradise. You can explore trekking along the meadows and the lake. There are plenty of perfect spots for your lunch or napping on the granite slab around the lake.

The hike climbs steadily from the beginning, but it's mostly gradual grade with some steep sections. Overall, it's easy to moderate hike, except high altitude/8,500 - 9,290 ft. You can also hike up to Upper Cathedral Lake adding extra 1/2 mile with 300 ft gain if you wish.