Tag Archives: Hiking

Yosemite 2014 – Elizabeth Lake and Tuolumne Meadows

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2014-09-Yosemite-651We made our move of camps from the Yosemite Valley to the high country and Tuolumne Meadows. Once there and camp was set up we immediately set out for a hike straight up in the air to Elizabeth Lake. We hiked across the 9000 foot elevation point to about 9500 feet. Once at the lake we circled the entire lake and took some time to scamper up and across some rock formations. I believe this particular hike, in conjunction with the time of day and weather conditions made for the best photo opportunities of the trip. You know the conditions are great to take pictures when even a life long seasoned professional photographer like Matt was super excited to take pictures. A place he has probably shot several times before, and I could see his boyhood excitement. The mirrored effects of the mountains, sky, and clouds off the water were spectacular. It was the most fortunate of timing for us. The entire hike was great, the weather cooled down nicely because of the elevation and late afternoon. We made it back down to camp just around sunset. Perfect time to put on warmer clothes, eat some food out of a bag, and bundle up for sleeping in the cold. I fooled around with some of the pictures. Some I made the way I saw them with my eyes, and a few I made with some fun effects that I like. Some pictures HERE.

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Yosemite 2014 – Camp change & Olmsted Point

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After a few nights sleeping outside in the Yosemite Valley, it was time to move camp to the high country. We packed up camp and started driving to Tuolumne Meadows. As the crow flies it is only about 20 miles, probably less. But it takes 3-4 hours to drive there. The elevation climb is several thousand feet and the drive is across the beautiful ridge of Tioga Road. We came up to the high country of Yosemite last year, but only for a day trip. This year we were going to sleep outside, under the stars for a few nights, and wake up in the most beautiful part of the park. As Bob Hrabek the park ranger said to us as we entered, “Welcome to Paradise”. He wasn’t kidding. Ranger Bob then proceeded to hook us up 2014-09-Yosemite-534with what must have been the best campsite on the grounds. We were nestled in the trees and backed right up to the trail that lead to everywhere you could possibly want to wander. A giant change from down in the valley. The climate changed too, once the sun was gone it was freezing. Perfect for sleeping outside.

On the drive up to our new home we stopped at Olmsted Point. Another place we stopped last year, but completely different this time. The weather and skies were very cooperative for photography. The skies were deep blue with cotton ball clouds. I was able to capture a picture of a tree I loved last year, but couldn’t do much with it on camera because of a dull sky. We marched out to the Point for another view of Half Dome, and then continued to our new home in Tuolumne Meadows. Once there we set up camp and went for a hike straight from our tents to Lake Elizabeth. It was an elevation change of over 1000 feet, maxing around 9500 feet. Elizabeth Lake is were the most amazing photo experiences happened, while we were there everything changed to make for the perfect conditions. I hope I was able to capture something. I will find time to get to those photos next. For now I was able to get through a few more photos, Olmsted Point and our hike toward Elizabeth Lake. Those pictures are HERE.

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A little more Yosemite September 2014

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I finally had a chance to go through a few more of the Yosemite pictures from last month. I can’t believe it has already been a month ago. I went through and processed a few of the 2014-09-Yosemite-252-HDRpanorama photos and HDR photos that I made. Some are fun, others are nonsense. I also went through the pictures of the day Josh and I went to see the big trees on our own. Giant sequoia trees, and they are giant. Pictures do them zero justice. We hiked up to a point that is only a mile from the museum and could tell that nobody goes up there. It was an amazing vista point, but since there was no road to drive up there, I doubt it gets many
visits. That was a fun day in Wawona that started out hectic and full of uncertainty. It definitely worked out for the best. Later we were able to find a spot and watch the sun set on Half Dome. People queue up and wait for hours to get the perfect picture of the “golden light” on Half Dome. Josh and I fell ass-backwards into a spot in a meadow and watched from there, with nobody else around. Josh was able to watch some of the football game by Peeping Tom’ing through a stranger’s window. My pictures are not the storybook pictures of Half Dome, but I’ll take it for my personal collection. I still think the best pictures are yet to come. I haven’t even gotten to the days with the amazing skies and mirrored lakes. Some of the newest pictures are HERE. 2014-09-Yosemite-427-HDR

Yosemite September 2014 – Days 1 and 2

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2014-09-Yosemite-114I finally had some time to look through pictures from Yosemite last month, September 2014. I have only made it through the first day and a half of pictures. I know the best are near the end of the trip, but I have to go through them in order. That is part of my CDO disorder.

We hiked the Panorama Trail on our second day in Yosemite. The group of 5 went together. The first day Josh and I set out on our own to circumnavigate would is called Mirror Lake or Mirror Meadow. It was a lake when I was here last year, and a meadow this year. Amazing what this planet does.

Pictures are HERE in case you are interested or overly bored. 2014-09-Yosemite-126

Learning to photograph waterfalls, contain your excitement please

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Learning to photograph waterfalls is something I became obsessed with recently. The opportunity does not arise very often to shoot waterfalls, considering where I live. But I did a lot of reading, and finally had the opportunity earlier this month while on Orcas Island Washington. I am pretty happy with my first attempt after jamming my brain with knowledge. HERE are a few pictures. http://www.jimmysellers.com/pictures/index.php?/category/25 2014-07-Oregon-Washington-July-2014-1001

Geocaching in the Great Northwest, Oregon & Washington

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In the short time I have been geocaching it has provided my family and friends with some 2014-07-Oregon-Washington-July-2014-283amazing adventures. Mostly it brings me to places I would have never been otherwise. Seeing sights and views that I would not have found, or dared travel to without searching for a hidden container. Our trip to Oregon and Washington was no different. I was able to hike to and find some of the oldest geocaches still active, original hides made in the year 2000 (cue song). Thanks again geocaching. HERE are some of the pictures and views because of geocaching. http://www.jimmysellers.com/pictures/index.php?/category/25

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Relaxing on vacation is not ‘Merican

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Yesterday was quite an adventurous day. Wifey decided to take the day off and relax. She claims that relaxing is part of being on vacation. I claim that is Bravo Sierra. I can relax at work if I need, like the rest of ‘Merica. So I had the entire morning and afternoon to run amuck on my own. I decided to go for the big hike here, to the peak of Mt Constitution. We had already been to the peak to enjoy the view, but that was by way of car, via 6 miles of switchback mountain roads. I made it up and down safely using the loop. I stopped for pictures all along the way and met some great people during the day. At the end, including a few side trips, it was about 9 miles.
Little Summit:20140710-084901-31741485.jpgThe first couple miles were almost straight uphill, using an old path created for telephone poles/line back when you used to have to crank it. After that it was gradually uphill, and the downhill was quite steep.
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Safely down and packed up I headed back for dinner. After dinner we decided to head BACK to the park for an after dinner stroll. the sun stays out until at least 10pm, and is back up around 5am. So we went and did a stroll around Cascade Lake. I fell into the water trying to show off, that made Wifey laugh. Making her laugh is most of what I live for, so it was more than worth the wet foot, sock, shoe, leg, and pants. Chalk up another 4.5 miles for the day by the time I got to bed. Wonder what today has in store for me? Hopefully whatever it is, it starts with french toast.
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Slacktivism at it’s finest

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I had plans to go for a nice hike on Sunday with my pals Josh and Cinnamon (still not a peeler). The general consensus was that Charlie the Dog should come, after all it was 2014-06-22-Free-Charlie-Sunday-5hiking, climbing mountains, not going to be too hot, maybe we should bring him. Wifey had put her foot down that Charlie’s season was over. I could not do much to argue that fact…but decided to argue anyway. We were going to be in the woods, in the shade, he could get in the water anytime he wanted, the weather was going to be cool for the end of June. I had excuse after excuse, but I don’t think Wifey was budging, justifiably so. The most amazing thing happened, the Internet became aware of the situation and people from all around the globe 2014-06-22-Free-Charlie-Sunday-2united in support of Charlie the Dog. It was amazing, the response was overwhelming. So much so that Wifey had to buckle under the pressure of all the eyes around the world tuned in to her decision. She both has all my respect for allowing Charlie out to play, and none of my respect for crumbling like a stale cracker (meant in both the snack treat and racist way).

It goes without saying that we had a great time, found a handful of geocaches, laughed, did some shirtless wrestling and tackling, and almost died of dehydration. To sum up, another amazing day to be alive and be me. HERE are a few pictures from the hiking trip and the Slacktivism campaign that took over the world this weekend.

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