Valley View Sunrise In September Yosemite National Park @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

Wandering Camera – Three Days In Yosemite

Valley View Sunrise In September Yosemite National Park @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

Welcome to Wandering Camera!  Around this time of the year I come out of my summer hibernation by camping in the chill air of the High Sierra Mountains between 8000ft and 10000ft.  This year however, we had to change our plans at the last minute due to the wildfires.

I have been to Yosemite Valley in every season but summer.  The days are too hot with temperatures ranging between 28C – 36C, while my melting point is around 16C. 

I was, however, so desperate to see the mountains that we drove to  Yosemite Valley with the mercury hovering around 48C.

 

 

Taft Point And El Capitan Yosemite National Park @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

We spent the first morning visiting a few favourites.  There was a heat advisory that day, and  it was clear that we needed to wake up extremely early to enjoy the summer outdoors.

We wanted to hike at least one trail.  Hiking to Taft Point was short enough for us to be back by mid-morning, before the day got too hot.  We got up at  5 AM, and after a little coffee, it was time to make the 45-min drive to the trail head.

 

A panoramic view of the Yosemite Valley  was waiting for us at the end of the 1.1-mile hike.  El Capitan (the massive rock on the right side of the photo)  towers over us in the valley, and here we were looking down at it.

 

Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos and read the captions –

 

 

 

At 7700ft elevation, Taft Point sits about 3500ft above the valley floor without guardrails.   If you suffer from acrophobia, you will really want to brace yourself. 

 

We also found four fissures with very sharp and long drops.   Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos –

 

 

 

My husband very gently reminded me that it was time for me to get back with these kind words – “Going out with you is like going out with a Yeti.  I need to get you back in your icebox before you melt away.”

 

 

Taft Point Yosemite National Park Nature Journal @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

A sketch of Taft Point from my own handmade watercolour nature journal.

 

In the afternoon, clouds started rolling in above the valley.  That night, we heard loud thunder followed by rain.  Beautiful, torrential rain, accompanied by the most delightful petrichor.   Nature is always full of surprises here in the Sierras, and I LOVE her for it.

 

 

Valley View Sunrise In September Yosemite National Park @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

I was hoping beyond hope that I would get a wonderful sunrise the next morning.  We again got up at 5AM, and drove into the valley.  Initially the clouds were really low, so I didn’t get to see a peach/pink sunrise.   Still, watching the sun come up over the Cathedral Rocks to slowly wake up the north side of the Valley was ever so beautiful.  I believe I even spotted a little mist on the Valley floor.

 

 

Purchase Golden Hour At Half Dome Yosemite Naitonal Park @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

 

It turned out to be a beautiful, cool day!  The sun kept on playing hide and seek, lighting up the granite rock faces here and there.  That afternoon we read by Cook’s Meadow over mugs of tea.  With that, the day and our time there was over.  We finished our stay watching the last light of the day decorate beautiful Half Dome.

 

With a deep feeling of sorrow and yearning, I said goodbye to my mountains.

 

 

 

Wandering Camera art and photo linky party @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 

Wandering Camera is a monthly event that runs on the last Thursday of every month.  If you follow me via email, you will get a reminder.

All photo and art/creative-themed posts are welcome.  You can continue to link up multiple posts.

Please add the badge or a text link back to this site on your blog, or on each post that you link up.  I look forward to visiting you.

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45 thoughts on “Wandering Camera – Three Days In Yosemite

  • dee October 14, 2021 at 13:00

    Yosemite!! A place I’ll never tire of. El Capitan and Half Dome never fail to fascinate me.
    Lovely photographs. I’m glad you got to go and spend some time there.

    Tell me about the heat on the Sierras! We were in Kings Canyon NP in the summer and the temperature was in the mid 90’s and I couldn’t believe it. It was a great trip, tho’

    Beautiful painting of Taft Point, Soma. ❤️

    Reply
  • betty - NZ October 13, 2021 at 01:18

    That’s such a fabulous part of the world! I love all the great scenery.

    Reply
  • Sharon Wagner October 12, 2021 at 12:21

    I hope to see this park someday. Wonderful lighting on your explorations. Great sketch!

    Reply
  • NatureFootstep October 12, 2021 at 11:01

    how wonderful. I have been twice to he “rockies” and Arizona but I have not seen this. But there is so much to see in this part of the world.
    Love both teh wcenery and the art you painted. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • Carol October 11, 2021 at 12:49

    Yosemite is a gorgeous place – I’d love to see it in person.

    Reply
  • Nikki - Notes of Life October 10, 2021 at 12:23

    Such amazing scenery!

    Reply
  • Kim October 10, 2021 at 04:59

    The photos of your majestic mountains, Soma, are sublime. Goodness, you and your camera capture such beauty. Such a lovely sketch of Taft Point. Very soon, I would imagine there will be lots of opportunities for you to wander around the beauty of those landscapes in the cool of the day.

    Reply
  • RachelSwirl October 9, 2021 at 12:44

    Wow, just wow – your shots are STUNNING. Thanks for sharing and for linking up with #MySundaySnapshot.

    Reply
  • Sarah MumofThree World October 8, 2021 at 23:22

    The photos are absolutely stunning. I’m glad you made it out to the mountains, despite the crazily high temperatures.
    #mysundaysnapshot

    Reply
  • handmade by amalia October 8, 2021 at 00:15

    Gorgeous!
    Amalia
    xo

    Reply
  • Einari Sinappi October 6, 2021 at 02:28

    Whutta vistas and great photography. I couldn´t bare the heat, grazy hot.

    Reply
  • Shiju Sugunan October 5, 2021 at 23:31

    Beautiful views and impressive painting. I enjoyed this post.

    Reply
  • Lydia C. Lee October 5, 2021 at 13:15

    Really fantastic art work – both photography and painting. Wonderful stuff!

    Reply
  • Emille (Jesh) October 5, 2021 at 09:34

    Always great to see Yosemite back!
    There has been a period of 18 years (during my study in Los Angeles this was one of the few we could afford) that we went during summer to Yosemite – this was where I learned watercolors from diverse artists – my hubby and kids went hiking and I painting – in winter only twice – brr too cold for Californians:)
    I know all the places here – Teneya lake looks so peaceful. and the puff of clouds in your other capture is beautiful! – lovely to see this back, now I live in Texas!

    Reply
  • Sam October 5, 2021 at 08:18

    Wow looks absolutely stunning x #mysundaysnapshot

    Reply
  • Lavender Dreams October 5, 2021 at 07:28

    I love your travel photos and would love to visit the mountains again soon. We still feel stuck at home but at least we are in an area where there’s lots to do and see. Love your art and the prints of your photos too. Enjoy your week!

    Reply
  • Little Wandering Wren October 5, 2021 at 05:57

    Your photos are stunning and brought back fond memories – Yosemite is incredible. My husband once called me a mole in India as it was so hot I only came out at night, I sympathise!
    Wren x

    Reply
  • Eileen October 5, 2021 at 03:55

    Gorgeous photos from Yosemite, another one of my favorite national parks.
    Have a happy day!

    Reply
  • Angie October 3, 2021 at 22:06

    P.S. And thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday!

    Reply
  • Connie Griffin October 2, 2021 at 17:50

    Oh wow it looks like your trip up in the mountains was a good one, I have never been out that far, we liked Arch lands out west, we would get up early in the morning too, and spend the morning and then go back to our hotel until the evening.
    You have taken Stunning pictures of it all, my hubby is a photographer and I am sure would love to see this in person :)
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • Janine @ Rainbow Hare October 2, 2021 at 15:22

    Those are stunning photos, though the heat sounds brutal. I’m glad you have managed to visit. It must be wonderful to be surrounded by the vastness of that spectacular scenery :)

    Reply
  • Wendy K October 2, 2021 at 13:39

    Fabulous painting and gorgeous shots of Yosemite, somewhere I would love to see.

    Reply
  • Tammy A October 2, 2021 at 09:43

    Gorgeous photos and what a beautiful place to hike!! Stunning painting too! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Take care and enjoy your weekend.
    Tammy x

    Reply
  • riitta k October 2, 2021 at 07:47

    Wow, absolutely stunning views & photos! I don’t love the heat either and hiking in 30C would be quite impossible to me. Wishing you a creative October.

    Reply
  • Alison Hall October 2, 2021 at 04:20

    What a stunning landscape, your photos are fabulous Soma! You captured it so well in your beautiful art too!
    Alison

    Reply
  • Veronica Lee October 1, 2021 at 21:59

    We visited Yosemite in 1990 in winter and everything was white!

    Your photos are such a treat!

    Happy Weekending, Soma.

    Reply
  • A ShutterBug Explores October 1, 2021 at 14:45

    Magnificent photography and sketch of beautiful Yosemite ~ Xo

    Living in the moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    Reply
  • Linda Calverley October 1, 2021 at 11:54

    I was lucky enough to visit Yosemite back in 2008 so it was great to see your lovely photos and art and to be reminded of a great holiday..

    Reply
  • Linda K October 1, 2021 at 11:37

    breathtaking photos Soma! I have never been anywhere west of where I live in the US so I can only imagine the beauty of those places.
    Golden Hour and Misty Autumn are stunning. I love your sketchbook art and the way you’ve captured the lights and darks of the rock formations.
    Thank you for sharing XO

    Reply
  • Susan N. October 1, 2021 at 08:40

    Beautiful photos and artwork as usual. Yosemite is on my wish list of places I would love to visit.

    Reply
  • by EAGHL October 1, 2021 at 07:25

    Amazing art drawing and photographs.

    Reply
  • Gillena Cox October 1, 2021 at 07:12

    Bravo. Luv your art and photos.
    Stay Safe

    Happy PPF

    muchlove

    Reply
  • Tammie October 1, 2021 at 06:56

    Gorgeous photos. Lovely morning light.
    So glad you got out to explore and enjoy. Autumn is a lovely time to be outside.

    Reply
  • Christine October 1, 2021 at 06:21

    Beautiful inspired painting and lovely photos of Yosemite.

    Reply
  • Valerie-Jael October 1, 2021 at 03:20

    Fabulous photos of Yosemite, what a beautiful place – I can understand you being sad to leave there. our painting is fabulous, too. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

    Reply
  • Tracey September 30, 2021 at 23:18

    What an incredible post in both words and pictures. Thank you for taking me on a journey to see those amazing views as they are ones i’d never see in real time. A wonderful documentation of your camp and hike followed by your own take on what the eye see’s in watercolour. Amazing… you’ve really made my day.
    Creative October wishes Tracey & Happy PPF x

    Reply
  • BLOGitse September 30, 2021 at 22:45

    Wow! Beautiful photos. What a place…
    Your painting looks great. Happy PPF!

    Reply
  • Angie September 30, 2021 at 22:08

    Soma – spectacular photos, every one. Glad you got some time in your mountains!

    Reply
  • Dixie September 30, 2021 at 15:53

    Absolutely stunning photos and lovely cards.
    Your sketch looks wonderful.

    Reply
  • The Joyful Quilter September 30, 2021 at 14:59

    Stunning photos, Soma!! Even without the sunrise shot you had been hoping for.

    Reply
  • Karin M. September 30, 2021 at 13:15

    Wow…..welch grandiose Landschaft!!!
    Und welch wundervolle Aufnahmen…das ist eine herrliche Fotoserie..
    LG. Karin M.

    Reply
  • Michelle Keltner September 30, 2021 at 10:24

    Yosemite is a place we have on our list to visit. So beautiful and you have captured it so well in these photos.

    Reply
  • Pam September 30, 2021 at 10:03

    Those are some incredible images! I have never been to Yosemite, but I really want to.

    Reply
  • Amy Johnson September 30, 2021 at 06:17

    Wow! What amazing images. I would love to go to Yosemite but I probably never will. Do you have to worry about Grizzlies when you hike there?

    Reply
  • Michele Morin September 30, 2021 at 03:10

    Yosemite is definitely on our bucket list!

    Reply
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