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There is nothing better than being in Yosemite when the sun
comes out after a snowfall. Of course getting there can be an adventure in itself. I live in Midpines and you
think it would be no problem to get to Yosemite since it is only about 35 miles. The morning I got up early
and told my husband that I was going to Yosemite he looked at me like I was crazy. His first question was
"How are you going to get down the driveway?". We live a mile off the closest paved road on a very narrow
winding driveway. It usual isn't a problem with our 4 wheel drive truck, but it can be a bit tricky if the
snow is a foot deep. Knowing he had no chance of stopping me he said, "Make sure you have the chains."
Once I made it to Highway 140 the road had been plowed and it wasn't too bad. Going down the Briceburg grade was a bit scary I have to admit, but once I got down to the Merced River there wasn't very much snow at all. I expected to see nobody, but when I reached the park entrance there were a number of vehicles lined up ahead of me. I saw many of them later with their tripods and cameras happily taking photos. The roads in the park had not been plowed as yet. There were very few foot prints in the snow anywhere. It was quieter than any time I have ever visited the park. The sun was brilliant and the sky was a beautiful bright blue. Yosemite offers many advantages to winter visitors including breathtaking snow capped scenery and uncrowded spaces. During the peak summer season the serenity of Yosemite can be difficult to find among the tourists that flock to the park. The hotels and campgrounds are packed and the roads are crowded. Unless you really get far off the beaten paths you'll encounter tourists, sometimes by the busloads, almost everywhere. In winter things are quieter, calmer and more relaxing. Everything is so crisp and
clear. The snow sparkles and the sky is so blue that it is hard to believe somebody didn't just paint it that
color. It is definitely worth the effort and risk to get there early after a snow even if you aren't a
photographer. |
