Yosemite National Park
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Pothole Dome Loop Yosemite National Park |
June 18, 2022
This is an extra-special outing, because it begins a three-day celebration of my 80th birthday, which is tomorrow. Seven hiking partners from as far away as Nevada and Southern California have joined me for this excursion.
Because it is on the cold side today, and not wanting to wear out my friends before tomorrow's major challenge, we will content ourselves with a relative stroll suggested by Gary, in the best meadow of them all. Among the others, only he and Sharon have any familiarity with this area.
Eight of us, in three vehicles, are raring to go
The hundred-foot ascent of Pothole Dome is probably the shortest, easiest route in
the park to an outstanding 360-degree viewpoint. One simply traverses the
trail around the edge of the big rock until the gradient has leveled out to one's liking,
and start climbing.
Up the dome we go
Unicorn Peak is watching us
On the top
The Cathedral Range is my favorite
Unicorn Peak, Cockscomb, Mathes Crest, Echo Peaks, Cathedral Peak,
and part of Fairview Dome
I still have a lot of unfinished business up there.
To the north is Mount Conness (center), at 12590'
In this country, only two mountains north of here are higher — Mount Shasta in the north state (14180'), and Mount Rainier in Washington (14411').
Well, it has taken us only ten minutes to ascend this dome; so it is time to strike
off in a new direction and see what is to be found. Heading north, we scramble
our way off Potlole dome by whatever route seems easiest. Encountering a
little-used trail, we follow it for a time, but it is angling in the wrong
direction. Turning right into the forest, it doesn't take long to find
what we are looking for.
The incomparable Tuolumne River
Paul scouts around for a future fishing hole
Dave just enjoys the water
Side view of the spot above
Still searching
This is why I go hiking
Cindy also is taking pictures
A lesser water flow provides so much of interest
Around the next corner is the site of an unlikely happening.
A single group of about 30 people
One just doesn't tend to encounter those kinds of crowds on unofficial trails.
Getting past here as quickly as possible
The cascades abate as we re-approach the big meadow
Sharon and Cindy lead the way
Back in the meadow
Cathedral Peak, my favorite mountain
Fairview Dome
The parking lot reappears
Slowpokes Dave and Paul circle Pothole Dome (center photo)
On the drive to our tent cabins ar Curry Village, a stop at Olmsted Point is obligatory.
Clouds Rest and Half Dome dominate the scene
§: Well, every season I go out of my way to share my 'water wonderland'
on South Silver Creek closer to home. Then I visit the Tuolumne River, which
simply sets a higher standard. Of course, what else is to be expected from
the world's finest hiking venue — the Yosemite high-country?
| Scenery |  |
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| Flowers |  |
(clockwise loop)
