Weighing in on Half Dome Permits: Yosemite Weekly Photo 02.08.10

February 8th, 2010

Clouds Rest and Half Dome from Crocker Point by John P. DeGrazio

What is it about Half Dome that makes it Yosemite’s most recognizable and probably most photographed landmark? And for the past 10 years, it has easily been the most popular hiking destination in the park as well. It has become so popular that the National Park Service has decided to limit the amount of people who attempt to reach its summit with a permit and quota system on summer weekends. Anyone who has hiked Half Dome on a Friday-Sunday between May and September knows that action needed to be taken, and I think a quota system will eventually be very good for Yosemite.

I agree with the park service that there needs to be limits. Their studies show that on any given weekend day, between 800-1100 people would attempt to reach the cables leading from the sub dome to the summit. Any way you look at it, that number is far too many. The permit system is to limit the amount of hikers to a maximum of 400 people per day on the weekends. While I agree with the premise that there needs to be a limit on the amount of hikers to attempt Half Dome each day during the summer, I believe the current plan definitely has a lot of room for improvement.

This plan obviously affects Y*explore as well as  the other tour operators who guide people to the top of Half Dome. I sincerely wish the decision makers would have considered some input from us or the other guiding companies since the announced decision was made to promote safety. As someone who has guided this hike over 30 times in the past three years, I consider myself a safety expert.

I can’t begin to count the times I have personally offered tips to assist hikers, who were not even clients, successfully navigate their way up and down the cables. I have shared plenty of food, countless bottles of water & Gatorade, and even pumped filtered water for several people who were not prepared for this hike. It is my belief that the park should rely on the guiding companies to assist in promoting safety on this trail and we should be included in the decision making process. That is why I will be vocal when allowed to comment and make suggestions for improving this plan. I also believe that anyone who is affected by this decision should take part in the comment period before a permanent solution is formulated in 2012. I guess the next two years will be interesting to say the least.

For more information, you can go to the National Park Service link here.

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Dewey Point: Yosemite Weekly Photos 02.01.10

February 1st, 2010

The alarm went off. I hit snooze and contemplated skipping my planned snowshoe hike. My throat was sore, and after enduring 3 days of my daughter coughing and wiping her nose on me, I finally succumbed. I was feeling the effects of her cold to which she proudly told her mom “Now, me and Dad are both sick.” I knew I hadn’t been to the park in over a week and really wanted to scout out the snow on the South Rim. I managed to roll out of bed before my seven minute window had expired and turned off the alarm.

Clark Range from Dewey Point Trail by John P. DeGrazio

Before I knew it, I was parked at Badger Pass and on the trail (um road) to Dewey Point. It was a crisp and clear morning and there were quite a few Nordic enthusiasts on the trail. Glacier Point Road was freshly groomed and I did my part by staying all the way to the right edge for the cross country skiers.

I made it to Summit Meadow and out to Dewey Point where I saw several snow campers hauling away their gear on sleds. Once on the trail, there was no clear distinction between ski  and snowshoe tracks. The skiers didn’t mind because they easily made new tracks in the powdery snow. Word to the wise, do not snowshoe with your ipod. You need to have your sense of hearing with you as the skiers approach you on the trail so you can step aside.

The first view of the Clark range is always breathtaking, and

Yosemite Valley form Dewey Point by John P. DeGrazio

to see it from a  snow covered perch made the experience all the more enjoyable. Dewey Point was a little crowded, but everyone was in a good mood. How could they not be?

Dewey Point by John P. DeGrazio

I ventured onto the rocks for more photos and decided to add another mile to my day and approach Crocker Point. Everyone knows about Dewey, but Crocker is the one that’s far less traveled. It’s the Clouds Rest to Dewey’s Half Dome.

Ribbon Fall, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Fall from Crocker Point by John P. DeGrazio

The view is just as good if not better because you see two of Yosemite’s most iconic falls, Ribbon and Bridalveil. Lesser known fact, Ribbon Fall is actually Yosemite’s tallest single drop waterfall. I was the only person at Crocker Point so I stopped and ate my lunch. Why are all my sublime experiences centered around food? It was only PB&J, but it sure tasted better than normal. After finishing my orange, which I carefully peeled and deposited into my trash bag, I scouted an area for some photographs that I had seen on the website from our good friends at OARS.com that I really wanted to capture. I found the exact spot, but the lighting conditions were less than kind. They are never great at 1 pm. I’ll just have to wait until my next camp out along the South Rim.

I decided to return via Trail 14 and it was a good challenge with a lot more slope than Trail 18.

Last Look West by John P. DeGrazio

I did manage to get one more shot looking west and another of the Badger Pass resort on my way out.

Badger Pass by john P. DeGrazio

I am already planning some extended snowshoe trips out here over the next few weekends. The abundance of snow ensures that we will have several more weeks of opportunity especially since more storms are coming through this week.

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Hiking Half Dome in January?: Yosemite Weekly Photos 1.25.10

January 25th, 2010

The title of this update is a bit misleading. Although it is a goal of mine, I didn’t actually hike Half Dome this month. There was a very slim possibility earlier this new year, but I have yet to act on my desire to hike it at least once in every calendar month. I didn’t even make it into Yosemite this past week with all the snow. I was actually enjoying Monterey for the very first time. I do plan on venturing into the valley when the storms die out by the weekend. For now, here are photos of Half Dome from the Yosemite Falls trail as a smaller storm cleared earlier this winter.

A window to Half Dome by John P. DeGrazio

Half Dome with light on Clouds Rest by John P. DeGrazio

Clearing Above Half Dome and Glacier Point by John P. DeGrazio

Light on Washington's Column as Half Dome steams by John P. DeGrazio

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Calm Before the Storm: Yosemite Weekly Photos 1.18.10

January 18th, 2010

We had a very active day on Saturday as we tried to beat an epic storm that began on Sunday and should last for at least six days. Yosemite is supposed to receive about ten feet of new snow by the end of this week, and we need it badly. After 2 drought years in 2007 and 2008, we had an average year for snowpack in 2009. This winter started well, but it has been so warm recently. Here are some of the last glimpses of sunlight we will see in the park for the next several days.

Late afternoon light on Giant Sequoias by John P. DeGrazio

Big Trees of the Tuolumne Grove by John P. DeGrazio

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Sentinel Rock: Yosemite Weekly Photos 1.11.10

January 11th, 2010

I have always been amazed when I look at a professional photographer’s images that often seem unrealistic. They will capture a scene that is the result of a convergence of events that puts them in the right place at the right time. I often wondered why I was never able to bask in their good fortunes and then I pondered how much work and preparation actually goes into composing one image. I quickly understood that timing and good light is everything. Then I realized that most of our hikes reach our best vista points at midday. Sure, it makes for a great picnic, but photography is a different story. That is why I am always so excited to hike when the skies aren’t always blue.

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Two Deer in Yosemite Valley by John P. DeGrazio

As we approached the Upper Yosemite Fall trail, snow was falling softly in the valley. Two deer were searching for their breakfast, undisturbed by the presence of several onlookers. We could sense the storm was ending, but it remained quite persistent. The sun made brief appearances only to be engulfed by the angry clouds mere seconds later. When we reached Columbia Rock, the sun decided to show who ruled the sky, and the clouds were quick to run away. Moments before they cleared, I was able to take this image of Sentinel Rock and began to understand a little more about photography. As I held my camera in my hands, I knew it wouldn’t be the greatest image I’ve taken, but it was a breathtaking scene that I will not soon forget.

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Sentinel Rock in Breaking Clouds by John P. DeGrazio

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Three Brothers: Yosemite Weekly Photos 1.04.10

January 4th, 2010
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Clearing Storm and First Light on Three Brothers by John P. DeGrazio

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Three Brothers: A Closer Look by John P. DeGrazio

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Three Brothers, Tenaya's Sons by John P. DeGrazio

Yosemite’s Three Brothers were named after Chief Tenaya’s sons. It was quite an honor, but like the renaming of Pywiack Lake, it was one unwanted. I am sure Tenaya would have traded those honors to have his murdered son and lost tribe return to the Ahwahne, the land of his ancestors.

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Merry New Year

December 31st, 2009

 I know Mr. Beeks wants everyone to say Happy New Year, but I prefer Nenge Mboko’s greeting.

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Yosemite Falls and Half Dome with Ceiling of Clouds by John P. DeGrazio

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Yosemite Falls at Daybreak by John P. DeGrazio

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El Capitan: Yosemite Weekly Photos 12.28.09

December 28th, 2009
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El Capitan in Morning Storm by John P.DeGrazio

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Partial Clearing on El Capitan by John P.DeGrazio

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El Capitan in Gray Sky by John P.DeGrazio

The recent snowstorms have been a welcome sight in the Sierra. I’ve had a chance to photograph some of Yosemite’s iconic landscapes this past week. Today’s focus will be on El Capitan or To-to-kon oo-lah, its native name.

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El Capitan Reflection by John P.DeGrazio

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El Capitan in Midday Light by John P.DeGrazio

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El Capitan with Clouds Clearing by John P.DeGrazio

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Sun Shines on El Capitan by John P.DeGrazio

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Looking up the Nose of El Capitan by John P.DeGrazio

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El Capitan Nose Route by John P.DeGrazio

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Late Light on El Capitan by John P.DeGrazio

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Last Light on El Capitan by John P.DeGrazio

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Seasons Greetings from Yosemite Valley

December 23rd, 2009
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Sunrise over Yosemite Valley by John P. DeGrazio

Happy Holidays!

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Season’s Greetings from Hetch Hetchy: Yosemite Weekly Photos 12.21.09

December 21st, 2009
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Hetch Hetchy Reflections by John P. DeGrazio

Hetch Hetchy is Yosemite’s hidden treasure and the Tuolumne River’s Twin Valley to it’s Merced counterpart. I can’t describe how beautiful a place Hetchy Hetchy truly is; not with photos and certainly not with words. I recently hiked out there with a client and our original plan was to see the Wapama Falls. Unfortunately, a recent rock slide closed the trail so we happily made a detour to the Poopenaut Valley. I was curious what Poopenaut meant and found two results. 1. The name of an edible celery-like plant eaten by the natives of the valley. 2. The name of an early European settler in the 1860’s of German descent. Like the challenges facing today’s Hetch Hetchy, I quickly learned there’s no clear cut or easy answer.

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Photographer in Poopenaut Valley by John P. DeGrazio

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Poopenaut Valley by John P. DeGrazio

We arrived at Poopenaut far from the crowds of it’s sister valley of the Merced. To be fair, there are no crowds to be seen anywhere at this time of year in Yosemite. Exploring the banks of the Tuolumne without seeing another soul was refreshing. We were a couple of miles downstream from the dam and what seemed like a world away. Now, I do not wish to be controversial; but after walking around Poopenaut, one can only wonder what it would be like if all of Hetch Hetchy Valley were unencumbered. I understand the economic impact of a statement like that, but John Muir certainly fought hard to prevent the building of the O’Shaughnessy Dam.

The Poopenaut Valley remains pristine and full of life and color, even in December after a recent storm. If it were economically viable for the city of San Francisco to collect their water further downstream, all of Hetch Hetchy could possibly return to its full grandeur. A grandeur admired by John Muir, a man who spent his last days on earth fighting for its protection.

“After my first visit, in the autumn of 1871, I have always called it the Tuolumne Yosemite, for it is a wonderfully exact counterpart of the great Yosemite, not only in its crystal river and sublime rocks and waterfalls, but in the gardens, groves, and meadows of its flower park-like floor. The floor of Yosemite is about 4,000 feet above the sea, the Hetch -Hetchy floor about 3,700; the walls of both are of gray granite, rise abruptly out of the flowery grass and groves are sculptured in the same style, and in both every rock is a glacial monument. Standing boldly out from the south wall is a strikingly picturesque rock called “Kolana” by the Indians, the outermost of a group 2300 feet high, corresponding with the Cathedral Rocks of Yosemite both in relative position and form. On the opposite side of the Valley, facing Kolana, there is a counterpart of the El Capitan of Yosemite rising sheer and plain to a height of 1800 feet, and over its massive brow flows a stream which makes the most graceful fall I have ever seen.” – John Muir

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Dam Release Blasting Rocks by John P. DeGrazio

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Hetch Hetchy Present Day by John P. DeGrazio

The view of Hetch Hetchy today remains remarkable, even with the dam. The dam itself seems unnatural and does not fit into the landscape. In fact, the landscape is constantly being altered as you can see with these rocks being blasted by its release. This is the current view of Hetch Hetchy Valley.

And here is a photo from the Online Archive of California of what Hetch Hetchy used to look like before the dam.

If only there were an easy solution where the natural beauty of John Muir’s day could  return without disruption of water flow to the city of San Francisco.

Who is this Don Pedro anyway?

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