Let me start with a disclaimer - Ernie and I are not responsible for the forest fires that have hit various areas while we were there or soon after we left. As we were recounting our travels to some other campers, they happened to mention a distinct correlation with the forest fires and our being there. Yes, the Colorado Springs Black Forest fire and the Royal Gorge fire both happened while we were camping in Colorado Springs. Yes, the Aspen fire (in the Sequoia National Forest near Fresno) started while we were in Coursegold (also near Fresno). Yes, while we were traveling through Yosemite, across the Tioga Pass, we did spot a fire in the distance in the park. We found a ranger as quickly as we could to report it and they had already received notices about it and were handling it. That was not the current Yosemite Rim fire. Yes, we were in Boise Idaho over July 4th and the fires in Idaho did not start until well over a month after our leaving the state. We are currently in the Manteca/San Francisco area and there are no forest fires here. Let's hope it remains that way. And finally, yes, there are fires all around the LA area but we haven't gotten there yet so we can't be held accountable for them. That said, let me go on with our travels.
Before we left the Yosemite area, we made an overnight trip to the other side of Yosemite and beyond. I am so glad we did because the park changed so much from one side to the other - geologically. We went from groves of giant sequoias and dense vegetation to open meadows and high mountains. We crossed Tioga Pass at 9,943 feet and drove on to Mono Lake to see the tufa rocks. These were caused by calcium rich springs flowing up through the lake bottom. The calcium then bonds to carbonates in the lake water. This is one of the oldest lakes in North America - at least 760,000 years old. This lake has no outlet and for thousands of years streams have carried minerals into the lake and evaporation has removed water from it. Because of this, the mineral content has risen to almost 10%. While no fish can live in these alkaline waters (2.5 times saltier and 100 times as alkaline as the ocean), it is still one of the most productive lakes in the world, supporting millions of brine shrimp, alkali flies and migratory birds.
That's enough of the nature lesson. Check out the photos of the tufa rocks. They look like they come from another planet.
From Mono Lake, we went to Reds Meadow Lodge to view the Devils Postpile National Monument. I'm going to post the photos first and then give you the explanation of how they occured.
This is rock and it looks like straws or something that someone just bent over.
I don't know how many other formations like this there are in the world but I do know of one in Ireland - the Giant's Causeway - and we hope to see that next Spring. All I can say it that Mother Nature is amazing!
On the drive back, we stopped to view the earthquake fault which is a fissure that opened 550 to 650 years ago when magma pushed to the surface. When you hike around the fault, you can see how each side fits together - like a piece of broken pottery - except this is rock and goes on for at least 1/4 mile.
We are now heading back to Yosemite through the Tioga Pass and on to Toulumne Meadow to do some hiking. I have to say, as of the middle of August, Yosemite has had over 4 million visitors this year alone. The crowds were really bad as were the drivers from outside the US. Amazingly, folks who have never driven our highways, rent motorhome and drive these big rigs through narrow mountain roads. And those that only rent cars, insist on taking pictures while driving. I know, some of you as saying "what's wrong with that, I do it to." Well the problem is that these roads are only two lane, have no guardrails and the edge of the road drops off for several hundred feet. I just slowed down and kept my distance.
We got to the meadows and stopped to hike and have lunch. It was a beautiful day and the weather has been great. Yes hot in the daytime and cool at night.
Can't believe this bird just sat there. I just wish he had turned to face me. Oh well!
Look how clear the water is. It is also very cold.
This is Soda Springs in the Toulumne Meadows. There were several areas where the springs surfaced.
The next three shots are from the granite rocks across from Tenaya Lake. In the first photo, you can barely see the rock climbers. They are to the left of the top group of trees - halfway between the trees and the summit.
Ernie couldn't help taking a picture of this cute little duck at Sentinel Beach on the Merced River. I wish you could see all the mica just shimmering in the water.
There was a quote from John Muir posted on one of the hikes. In 1877, he said "in every walk with nature, one received far more than he seeks." I couldn't agree more. We have seen some astounding sights and have felt very small and humble. If you haven't been to this park, I strongly suggest that you make every effort to get here. Stay in the lodge and that way you can take part in the ranger guided walks and programs. During the summer, the park service offers free shuttles throughout the park so you can just get to the park and lock you car until you have to go home.
I'll post more tomorrow about our travels around and in San Francisco. Take care and be good to each other. Oh, go hug a tree!
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