July 26th, 2010
Sierra Range of Dark by John P. DeGrazio
John Muir called the Sierra Nevada The Range of Light. “Then it seemed to me the Sierra should be called not the Nevada or Snowy Range, but the Range of Light”. With all due respect to America’s greatest conservationist borrowed from Scotland, this week the Sierra was the Range of Dark. Summer storms made their way through Yosemite bringing dark clouds, thunder, lightning, rain, and hail. Once a storm descends, the light is lost. But if you time it just right, you may be rewarded with a nice shot.
Afternoon Storm Clouds from Tunnel View by John P. DeGrazio
Tags: john muir, nevada, range of dark, range of light, sierra, Yosemite
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July 22nd, 2010
Boys of Cholock by John P. DeGrazio
When I was an older young man, I would shout at the youthful waterfalls and their impetuous mist. Now that I am a younger old man, I quietly lament valuable lost time left in their wake.
Cholock, what’s your hurry?
Like a newborn, your arrival is anticipated and celebrated.
Autumn is your spring,
And you appear when the first water breaks from the sky.
The earth shakes as you make your splash in this world.
You are impressive and a joy to all.
From infancy you grow as the winter snow melts,
And you run before you learn to walk.
Your impatience is felt by all as you rush your way through life’s many turns with a desire to grow bigger and bigger.
Cholock, what’s your hurry?
Why must you grow so fast?
Why can’t you stay small forever?
Your energy is unsuppressed and your youth is wasted
as you push and push to go everywhere and nowhere at all.
You are at your loudest before you even know what to say.
Suddenly, and without warning, your strength abandons you.
As spring turns to summer, you enter the winter of your life.
How did time disappear?
Why must everything end so soon?
Cholock, you are the fortunate one.
Your foolishness has been repeated over the centuries;
Yet, you are given a new opportunity with every October sky.
Your story will be overlooked by many,
But the wise will teach your lessons to their own.
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Tags: cholock, walterfalls, Yosemite
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July 19th, 2010
Mt. Hoffman, Half Dome, and May Lake by John P. DeGrazio
I spent Wednesday on a familiar trail to the top of Mt. Hoffman. Yes, May Lake, the marmots, locoweed, and Belding squirrels were all great; but there was something more on this day. I had heard about a U.S. Cavalry trail somewhere off the main path that I wanted to check out. My friend Brian, whom I had hiked with to Waterwheel Fall and Clouds Rest, was game for a new adventure so off we went.
Half Dome and Wallflower by John P. DeGrazio
Brian Contemplating Mt. Dana by John P. DeGrazio
My memory was a little fuzzy so we did not last long on our first chosen path. After climbing about 20 feet of rock with only a ledge and Tuolumne Peak in front of us, we decided this was not it. About a hundred more yards down the trail we saw our destination. Or was it our destiny?That would be a slight hyperbole, but we were thrilled as the route unfolded and each ‘discovery’ was more amazing the the previous one. The condition of the trail was very good considering it is no longer maintained by the park service. This was a surprise to us because of the ease of accessibility combined with the amazing views it provides. I know one thing, this will be a future campsite for me and a great jumping off point for a Tuolumne Peak summit hike. The lighting was not ideal (I did like the light on the wallflower, however) but I will return for more photos in better conditions.
The Domes of Tuolumne by John P. DeGrazio
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Tags: cavalry trail, may lake, mt dana, mt hoffman, tuolumne, Yosemite
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July 12th, 2010
Mt. Clark from below Mt. Hoffman by John P. DeGrazio
Spending time in Yosemite’s high country is a remedy for all that ills. Galen Clark was given six months to live before he changed his life and homesteaded the area that is now Wawona. He lived fifty-three more years. For his dedicated service (two time guardian) to the park, Mt. Clark, The Clark Range, Clark’s Point, and the Clark Trail were named after him. Clark was dubbed “Mr. Yosemite”, and he is the only one who deserves such a moniker. Anyone else who represents themselves as Mr. Yosemite or anything closely related is nothing but an impostor.
Mt. Hoffman and May Lake by John P. DeGrazio
Clark spent many days hiking in the high country where he and his contemporary, John Muir would re-energize their bodies and souls. Muir called Clark the best Mountaineer he ever met. Both men would have enjoyed a day like this past Saturday out at May Lake.
Clouds, Heather, and the Cathedral Range by John P. DeGrazio
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Tags: cathedral range, galen clark, high country, john muir, mt. clark, Yosemite
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July 5th, 2010
Mist Droplets and a Rainbow by John P. DeGrazio
One good thing about ending your Half Dome hike late in the afternoon: Rainbow at Nevada Fall.
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Tags: half dome, nevada fall, rainbow, Yosemite
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June 28th, 2010
Falls and Clouds by John P. DeGrazio
When I was in third grade I bought my grandmother a poster of a kitten hanging by a claw at the end of a ball of yarn. The poster read “Hang in There”. She loved cats so she put it up in her laundry room right next to her John Travolta “Grease” poster. I used to look for it (the kitten poster) every time I visited her. I was hiking to Taft Point and saw Yosemite Falls framed nicely in a weathered rock at the point and thought how nicely the falls seem to be hanging in even though it’s the end of June. Isn’t it funny how we can jostle some memories from what seem like random events?
It’s amazing what a good snowpack can do for summer in the Sierra.
Middle Cascade & Lower Yosemite Fall by John P. DeGrazio
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Tags: john travolta, yosemite falls
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June 25th, 2010
When ascending Half Dome, many things come to mind. Steep granite steps, cables, waterfalls and majestic views are just some of the subjects that cross one’s mind. On our most recent ascent, underwear became the hot topic of discussion. As we were preparing for our descent down the cables, I mentioned that I only wear Patagonia Men’s Active Boxer Briefs on every one of my hikes. Some in our group raised their eyebrows and mentioned Patagonia’s penchant for being high priced. At that moment, a woman whom we did not know chirped that it was alright because all of Patagonia’s gear lasts forever. I don’t know about forever, but their reputation for durability is impressive. The briefs are lightweight, extremely comfortable, breathable, dry quickly, don’t ever lose their form, and most importantly, prevent chafing. What else do you need? Those who have had chafed thighs, understand the importance of that feature. Yes, one pair does cost about the same price as a pair of jeans, but they should last a really long time. I don’t need them to last forever, just about 70 more times up Half Dome.
YEBlog Gear Guide Disclaimer
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Tags: men's active boxer briefs, patagonia
Posted in What's in My Pack: Gear Guide | No Comments »
June 21st, 2010
Nevada Spray by John P. DeGrazio
Yosemite’s Waterfalls are still gushing, and the Mist Trail is still misting. I’ve heard there is a petition to rename it the Hurricane Trail. Since I’ve been on this trail so many times already this season, I figured it would be appropriate to share some spring photos of Nevada Fall.
Nevada Fall in Mid May by John P. DeGrazio
Morning Rays and Mist from Nevada by John P. DeGrazio
Rainbow off Nevada by John P. DeGrazio
From the Edge of the falls by John P. DeGrazio
Flowers and Falls by John P. DeGrazio
Rainbow in the Mist by John P. DeGrazio
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Tags: mist trail, nevada fall, Yosemite
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June 18th, 2010
Ballerinas at Glacier Point by John P. DeGrazio
Wispy clouds spent all afternoon dancing like ballerinas to the songs of Yosemite.
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Tags: ballerinas, clouds, glacier point, Yosemite, yosemite falls
Posted in Poems, Prose, and Quotations, Yosemite Weekly Photo Updates | 1 Comment »
June 14th, 2010
Emerging Marmot by John P. DeGrazio
Vee vant zat money, Lebowski by John P. DeGrazio
Mule Deer and Black Oak by John P. DeGrazio
Getting a Mouthful by John P. DeGrazio
Mule Deer in Morning Light by John P. DeGrazio
This was a good week for viewing wildlife in Yosemite. Over a four day stretch we saw a marmot, black bear, rattlesnake, two skinks, dozens of lizards, several bird species including white throated swifts (my favorite), and countless deer on the trails. Here are a couple of animals that made an impression.
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Tags: black oak, marmot, mule deer, wildlife, Yosemite
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