Greetings from somewhere in Carson Valley Nevada
We decided to go back up to Yosemite today, mainly to visit the Ansel Adams gallery (which was closed by the time we got there yesterday) so we didn't quite make it to Reno.
The pleasant surprise of the day was California Highway 4.
Highway 120, which is the direct route through Yosemite to Highway 395 and north to Tahoe/Reno, was still closed due to snow. A nice young high-school kid who just started his summer job with the Park Service said there was still eight feet of snow up there but they are plowing and it might be open by the end of the month. So the only way around Yosemite was to go back 70 miles towards Sonora, up Highway 49, and across Highway 4 to 395 (with several confusing connections along the way that will make you appreciate GPS).
On the map, Highway 4 looks pretty direct. But this is the most narrow, winding, eighty miles of remote highway I think we've ever been on. It traverses the Sierra Nevadas through rugged mountain and forest scenery that rivals Yosemite. The highest elevation was, I believe, 8750 feet. The temperature got down to 38.
A huge bear crossed the road right in front of us. With me and my camera hanging out the window, we slowed down to try to see where he went. Just then a ranger or some other law enforcement type guy came down the road towards us in his SUV from the other direction. He switched on his flashing lights and hollered out over his PA "don't stop there!". OK, then.
There was lots of snow, too. The late afternoon light was fantastic on the snowy peaks. On reflection, we're happy that 120 was closed, although I'm sure it's a pretty drive, too.
Here are a few photos from today, with apologies to any readers who might be trying to view this site over dialup...
They call these "dogwoods" and they were blooming all over the place. My only quibble is that the flowers have five petals.
Another Yosemite bear
Yosemite Falls
Capturing the scene the old fashioned way
The Ansel Adams Gallery at Yosemite Village
Aspen Lake, still frozen, along Highway 4 in the Stanislaus National Forest near Ebbett's Pass at 7000 ft. altitude
Ebbett's Pass in the Toiyabe National Forest on Highway 4. Our elevation was 8730 feet. This mountain was much higher.
Higway 4, Toiyabe National Forest
Higway 4, Toiyabe National Forest
Higway 4, Toiyabe National Forest. Deer at dusk, checking out the intruders.
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