Olmsted Point
This is a big granite dome/slab overlook between Yosemite Valley and the Toulumne Meadows area.
The view from Olmsted Point
You see Half Dome way off in the distance from here.
Tree hugger
Trees that grow out of granite deserve some lovin'!
Determined roots
Somehow these trees manage to grow right out of the rock.
Out of the granite.
This is the tree Steve was hugging in the earlier photo.
Yosemite Falls
The world's fifth-tallest falls (and tallest in the United States). Yosemite falls is normally dry by sometime in August, but we lucked out because this year's high precipitation has the falls still rushing along.
Steve at Yosemite falls
The falls is 2,425 ft tall, and is made up of a set of three smaller falls. We walked up to the lower falls.
Yosemite Falls, lower falls.
And lots and lots of people, crawling around everywhere.
Half Dome
Tunnel View
This is the famous "tunnel view", looking down the valley.
Tunnel view
More tunnel view.
Tuolumne River
Out of the valley and back up to ~9000 ft. This is the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River; it was spectacularly beautiful here.
At the Tuolumne River
Tuolumne River
Looking the other way down the river. The water was crystal clear, and you can swim here (though we didn't).
More Tuolumne River
There's granite everywhere in the Sierras; much different than the rock and terrain in the Bay Area.
Meadow view
We're actually on the John Muir trail here, continuing along the Lyle Fork of the Tuolumne River. There were quite a few hikers and backpackers.
Another stream crossing
Meadows and woodland areas, with lots of streams.
Alpine flowers
There were lots of flowers blooming.
Heading back down the trail.
Lots of lupine blooming (the blue flowers to Steve's right.)