Yosemite

Sep 16     Mono County is the east gateway to Yosemite National Park. From Lee Vining on Hwy 395, Tioga Pass Road winds just 12 miles up to Yosemite's east entrance and to one of the park's greatest wonders, Tuolumne Meadows.

The last time we visited Yosemite was over 35 years ago when Joe was in junior college. We were excited to start our adventure.We started early this morning and arrived at Yosemite around 8am. It was very cold when we started, around 40 degrees. Our first hike of the day was Tuolumne Meadows: Soda Springs, approximately 2 miles. 

For thousands of years animals and people have visited these springs. These small, carbonated mineral springs are a mystery - even geologists cannot explain why they are here. Although the bubbling water comes out of the ground pure and clean, there is a possibility that people or animals have contaminated the water.  

Beautiful scenery along the hike

Tenaya Lake

After the hike we decided to drive to Yosemite Valley, about 40 miles through the park. Amazing sights along the way. We made stops at Tenaya Lake and Olmsted Point.

Olmsted Point

Yosemite Valley is the main attraction at this park and it was very busy. The air was very smoky and the main sights were very hazy. 

Bridalveil Falls

Bridalveil Falls was the first waterfall we saw when entering Yosemite Valley. Very short hike to the bottom of the falls. Absolutely stunning waterfall. Lots of people at the base so can get kind of crowded. 


















Across from Bridalveil Falls was El Capitan. 

Hazy picture of El Capitan

The sheer face of El Capitan is more than spectacular. A  magnificent sight to see.

















We continued driving into the main valley area but it was very busy with people walking all over and cars trying to park all over the place. We just drove through this area. Tried to take a picture of Half Dome from the car but it was so hazy. 

Can barely make out Half Dome

Then we passed Yosemite Falls, I really wanted to stop and walk around this area but we couldn't find any parking and it was still very smoky so we decided to keep on driving. 

Beautiful scenery on this hike

We started our drive back to the east side of Yosemite. Stopped to have lunch, then did one more hike. This one was Lyell Canyon via the John Muir Trail. We only did part of this trail. Hiked to Lyell Fork and to Twin Bridges. Absolutely amazing, so beautiful. The water was very cold. Lots of people fishing in this area. 

Captain Morgan pose

Then back to Lee Vining. Tioga pass is kind of scary, the elevation at the top is almost 10,000 feet. Part of the road goes along the cliff with a steep downgrade....scary!

This was such a good day. Our visit to Yosemite was amazing. We didn't get to do everything because of the smoke but still had a wonderful time. 

Lee Vining

Sep 13     Bishop - Lee Vining     66 miles     2 hours

We continued on Hwy 395 to Lee Vining. It took us a long time because we stopped at a rest stop for lunch. The quaint town of Lee Vining is at a higher elevation and a lot cooler here. We're staying at Mono Vista RV Park for 5 nights, water and electric for $34.72 per night. Very crowded here, they really pack everyone in. After 2 nights we'll be moving sites. It's so busy, we can't get 5 nights in the same site. The location is perfect. Lots to explore in the area.

Our site for 2 nights

Silver Lake

Sep 14   We took a drive out to June Lake Loop today. A scenic 16 mile loop around four glistening lakes. Autumn brings a phenomenal display of colorful aspens along the loop, unfortunately, we're a couple weeks early. Still very scenic, beautiful drive.

Grant Lake

We checked out Oh Ridge Campground. Very nice campground overlooking June Lake. Dry camping for $27.50 per night.

The beach at June Lake

Wouldn't mind staying here next time we're in the area.

June Lake

Another view of June Lake

Hard to see the waterfall

Mono Lake was our next stop. One of the oldest

View of Mono Lake from the visitors center

lakes in the western hemisphere, Mono Lake is hauntingly beautiful.

The lakes most distinctive feature is its eerie tufa towers. We did the one-mile trail winding along the shoreline and among the tufa towers.

Tufas

California gulls

It's also a sanctuary for birds. Tiny green plants called algae capture the sun's energy, then become food for millions of alkali flies and trillions of brine shrimp. Over a million birds feast on the shrimp and flies.

We stopped at Whoa Nellie Deli's for lunch. Excellent food and lots of souvenirs for the surrounding area.


Last stop was a store in town to buy some much needed rugs for the RV. We're real happy with the purchase, beautiful!








Sep 15     We had to change sites today, so we had a late start this morning.

Our new site for the next 3 days

We went to Bodie State Historic Park, about a 40 minute drive from Lee Vining.

Methodist church built in 1882

Memories of California's wild gold mining days come alive on Bodie's long abandoned dirt streets, with 170 of the town's relic buildings preserved in a state of "arrested decay."

 From 1877-1888 Bodie had an estimated 10,000 residents and produced more that $35 million in gold and silver.

Inside one of the houses built in 1900

We spent about an hour touring the area. They charge $8 per person and $2 for a map of Bodie.

Swasey Hotel 1894

Stamp Mill

Schoolhouse

Inside the schoolhouse

This house had 5 children, notice the rocking horse

Travertine Hotsprings

After we had lunch we drove to Travertine Hot Springs. Kind of small with 3 pools.

As we approached, an older, fat, naked guy started talking to some other people around the pools. He wasn't in the pool, he was standing outside...in all his glory! Everyone else was stripping down and getting in.

Very uncomfortable for us, needless to say, we decided not to go  in.

Old naked guy standing outside the pools

Rock Creek Lake & Hotsprings

Sept 12     Today we drove out to Rock Creek Canyon. One of the highest paved roads in California leads the Rock Creek visitor to an alpine setting over 10,000 feet in elevation. Surrounded by John Muir Wilderness with views of 13,000 foot peaks from anywhere in the canyon, this area is about as far as you can get from the city's hustle-bustle.

We did a two mile hike around Rock Creek Lake. Fall color is vibrant in Red Rock Canyon but we're about two weeks early. Still very beautiful. 

After the hike we found a picnic area and had lunch right alongside the lake. We got to rest, eat, and marvel at the lakes beauty.

The we went hunting for the hot springs that I read about. We found Wild Willys Hot Springs. Out in the boonies, in a remote area, in the middle of a cow pasture. What a welcoming sight...I was so excited! 

Cows all around us

Two good size pools. One was lukewarm and the other hot. Two guys were there in their underwear but they were ready to leave. There was a girl that arrived the same time as us. We got to enjoy the pools for almost an hour before anyone else came. We were in heaven, soaking in a hot tub with beautiful views. 

All of a sudden a lot of people started coming. Good timing for us, we were just about ready to leave.

So relaxing

I really enjoyed our soak, so relaxing. The best part was it was free! If we ever come through Hwy 395 this is a definite stop.