Yosemite, California

Yosemite, a large animal and plant habitat block in the Sierra Nevada area. A national park has an elevation range from 648 to 3,997 metres and contains five major vegetation zones: chaparral/oak woodland, lower montane forest, upper montane forest, subalpine zone, and alpine.
The geology is characterized by granitic rocks and remnants of older rock. About 10 million years ago, the Sierra Nevada was uplifted and then tilted to form its relatively gentle western slopes and the more dramatic eastern slopes. The uplift increased the steepness of stream and river beds, resulting in formation of deep, narrow canyons. About 1 million years ago, snow and ice accumulated, forming glaciers at the higher alpine meadows that moved down the river valleys. Ice thickness in Yosemite Valley is understood to have reached 1,200 metres during the early glacial episode. The downslope movement of the ice masses cut and sculpted the incredibly enormous U-shaped valley that remains today.

The bus is coach size, which is a tight fit.

A shot from tunnel view ... very touristy

I decide I'm going to make the trek to the top of Yosemite Falls

View from lower Yosemite Falls.  If you look closely, you'll see some people at the bottom of the falls .... just to put some perspective on the size.  Also, this is only the top half of Yosemite Falls.

Made it to the top, this is the railing to straddle to get to the best viewing platform


Some youngsters swimming in the ponds at the top of the falls

Chillin' at the top

Met some nice people (Steve & Bev) from Brisbane who happened to also be visiting Yosemite.  Nice group shot from our lunch at the very swish Ahwahnee Lodge Resturant.

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