“The true ownership of the wilderness belongs in the highest degree to those who love it most.” – John Muir
Still waters in Yosemite. On a clear and beautiful day. Even after you have visited so many times, there are always fresh new places to learn more about. The farther and wider spread you go, the deeper the wilderness captivates the heart.
Here I am at a random location along the Merced River in Yosemite. The surface of the river is fully felt whether it’s rushing, or calm yet moving with purpose. Not only as a natural occurrence but as life-giving waters. To see, hear and feel the river as it runs by, it also runs through at resonance. Its enduring force of renewal and replenishment. To see, feel, and hear its soothing roar.
Where the wind blows through you and not just above you or around you. At elevation where the spirit of the Sierra has its best meaning. Where it’s not just about the place, but about being. Here is Hamilton Pass along the Great Western Divide. I’ve been over this pass twice surrounded by Mt Stewart, Black and Red Kaweah, Eagle Scout Peak, and Angels Wings.
“The blessings of one mountain day, whatever his fate, long life, short life, stormy or calm, he is rich forever.” – John Muir
“Another glorious Sierra day in which one seems to be dissolved and absorbed and sent pulsing onward we know not where. Life seems neither long nor short, and we take no more heed to save time or make haste than do the trees and stars. This is true freedom, a good practical sort of immortality.” – My First Summer in the Sierra (1911) chapter 2. John Muir.
Off-trail direction and course. Limited visibility on each path over a long distance. Intercepting a trail here and there. Fog density varies, but that adds to the mystery of where you are and where you’re going. Where the atmosphere is still and thin, there is a quality about the area very unique compared to seasons more familiar. With a still quiet, soaked forest floor, a fresh wet scent, and a stinging cold biting at the nose.
Here in this photo, the floor of Kings Canyon is about a mile beyond Cedar Grove. Which is just over 4,600 feet above sea level. With ancient upward vertical cliffs far above the lowest glacier-carved depth. It is said that rivers carve a “V” shaped valley. While glaciers carve a “U” shaped valley. Yet here what is to become a canyon with soaring walls on each side. The depth of Kings Canyon is at about 8,200 feet. One of the deepest canyons in the U.S. Further shaped by plentiful rivers, cascades, and the life they support.
A distinct contrast to the Western side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Owens Valley is far more sparsely populated as compared to the San Joaquin Valley. Left uncultivated, one might wonder how common these separate valleys would appear along the vertical stretch of California’s Central region. The Western side is more irrigated, while receptive to the Pacific Ocean’s circulatory conditions and from seasonal rainstorms. To thereafter include late Fall season fog and Spring/Summer melt.
Our exit out of Yosemite involved crossing a pass over this range into Ansel Adams wilderness. We rose early to give us a lot of time to cross over Donohue Pass at about 11,000 feet. The early morning being renewed and awaken the senses. The best time to get ahead of afternoon thunderstorms that build up while being so exposed to the higher altitude, strong winds, and intense UV light. Once at the pass, we recovered a bit before the long descent over Island Pass and into Ansel Adams for an overnight stay at Shadow Lake.
In view here is the Lyell Fork, Lyell Glacier with Lyell Peak and Mt Maclure to the upper right out of view.
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