Mountain Biking - Yosemite pictures

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n2geo
07-03-04, 09:36 PM
We just got back from a quick trip to Yosemite National Park. For the first time, I brought a bike along, and it was awesome! I've got a Burley on indefinite loan from a friend, and took it for my son who is ~20 months old. He loves the trailer, and to my surprise is very good about wearing his helmet (he learned from the one time he put up a fuss: no helmet, no ride, period).

Yosemite valley itself is almost dead flat, and has several miles of paved bike trails. I scoped out some sweet-looking singletrack and other trailage, but didn't have the heart to poach in my favorite National Park.

Here are a few photos...

The family wagon, loaded and ready for the open road.
http://img40.exs.cx/img40/2706/wagon.jpg

The meadows were super lush and green, and the bugs (mosquitos) were nearly non-existent.
http://img40.exs.cx/img40/2523/meadow.jpg

Here we are returning to camp, after our daily tour of the valley. Avery was great in the Burley, as long as he had snacks, water and my bike pump.
http://img40.exs.cx/img40/8515/dad1.jpg

Unofortunately, search and rescue operations become a real part of some peoples' Yosemite experience. Climbers and hikers are the typical rescue subjects, and helicopters are a regular sight in the valley. This one landed, took on a person on a stretcher, and took off again.
http://img39.exs.cx/img39/9264/sar.jpg

Here's a shot of the most-photographed rock in the world (Half Dome). Lots of thunderheads building behind it.
http://img39.exs.cx/img39/2784/halfdome.jpg

We had a great time, and I heartily encourage anyone heading to Yosemite to bring the bike.

gonesh9
07-03-04, 09:45 PM
Thanks so much for the pics, n2geo! Beautiful area... haven't been there for a long while, and your pictures make me want to go back soon. And this time with a bike!
Joseph
07-03-04, 10:31 PM
Awesome pictures. I have always wanted to go there, and just havent got around to it yet. I am assuming the campsites were spectacular?

trevor
07-03-04, 10:49 PM
where is this park?
n2geo
07-04-04, 05:48 PM
where is this park?
In the northern Sierra Nevada, California. Yosemite National Park is widely considered the 'crown jewel' of the US National Park system.


Regarding the other question about the campsites...alas, not all the campsites can be called 'spectacular.' The park caters to the car camping asthetic, and the sites are generally in mature pine forests with rocks and whatnot. Not a lot of privacy.

Camp 4, where we usually stay, is a walk-in campground, which means you leave your car in the parking lot and walk anywhere from 100 to 1,000 feet to your campsite. The campsites are really rather crowded, although Camp 4 is mostly climbers, a user group which is generally pretty cool and laid back.

The best camping in Yosemite is in the backcountry.
DnvrFox
07-04-04, 06:09 PM
Regarding your picture of Half-Dome.

My family and I climbed it in about 1947 (I was bout 8 years old). At that time, we were the only people climbing it that day, using the cables to hang onto as we went up the back side.

We have a picture of my older sister sitting on the ledge with her feet dangling over the front sheer side of half-dome.

I understand you almost need a ticket to climb it today - just lots and lots of people.

Thanks for sharing, brought back memories.

I lived in Yosemite for two summers as a kid.
n2geo
07-05-04, 10:14 AM
Regarding your picture of Half-Dome.

My family and I climbed it in about 1947 (I was bout 8 years old). At that time, we were the only people climbing it that day, using the cables to hang onto as we went up the back side.

We have a picture of my older sister sitting on the ledge with her feet dangling over the front sheer side of half-dome.

I understand you almost need a ticket to climb it today - just lots and lots of people.

Thanks for sharing, brought back memories.

I lived in Yosemite for two summers as a kid.

Yeah, I climbed HD with a bro about a month ago...despite leaving the valley at 0600, there were tons of people on the cables that day (a Thursday). Truly a memorable experience though...that photo of your sister must be a classic! It'd be great if you could find a way to scan it and post it here...

Summertime in the Sierras...tough to beat, but I bet you've got that covered in CO!