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Half Dome, Little Yosemite Valley, Liberty Cap, Vernal and Nevada Falls from Washburn Point

Entering Yosemite National Park from the South, my first glimpse of Yosemite Valley was at Washburn Point, which required very little walking from the parking lot. Standing at Washburn Point, I was at awe looking at how the single stretch of uplifted granite that runs from North to South about 400 miles long of the Sierra Nevada ( Spanish for Snowy Range ) had been marvelously sculpted. Perhaps, I had been so overwhelmed by the sight in front of me that my mind went blank at that time. I was at a loss how and where to take pictures. After several minutes of taking the magnificent vista in front of me, slowly I followed the crowd who seemed to be enjoying their time clicking away.

Vernal and Nevada Falls from Washburn Point

The two waterfalls I featured in my earlier posts, Vernal and Nevada, could be viewed from Washburn Point. I think this is the best viewpoint for the two waterfalls without hiking.

Vernal Fall from Washburn Point

It is too far though to even hear the power of this two waterfalls and to really experience them. Three quarters of a mile from Washburn Point is the Glacier Point. 

Half Dome from Glacier Point

Here at Glacier Point, one can see how the granites of the Sierra were sculpted by water and glaciers forming scenic wonders such as Yosemite Valley. Hard to believe that this scenic wonder lay underneath the sea 500 million years ago. Perhaps, the most famous landmark in Yosemite is Half Dome.

Half Dome

Is there another half dome in the other side of the valley? The answer is no, since the other landmark facing Half Dome is North Dome, which is a full dome, not another half dome.

North Dome and Half Dome Facing Each Other

Half Dome is an example of exfoliation, a type of weathering that peels off in sheets rather than grain by grain. Another popular feature at Glacier Point not to be missed is the Overhanging Cliff.

Overhanging Cliff with Yosemite Falls from Glacier Point

You can find this looking Northwest from Glacier Point, kind of facing the Yosemite Falls.

Overhanging Cliff with Yosemite Falls from Glacier Point

The Overhanging Cliff was a popular photo ops before (people stood right at the edge of the cliff or even did stunts while taking photos) , but thankfully, it is now off limits for the safety of everyone.

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