Glacier Point, Yosemite NP

Our first destination was Glacier Point. This wonderful viewpoint is located on the south wall of the valley. Glacier Point is accessible by car or Shuttle bus via Glacier Point Road or by foot via the Four Mile Trail (4.5 miles / 7.2 km one way - strenuous). Fortunately the place was not too crowded with tourists when we arrived there. A lot of gophers and squirrels though.

The sky was blue and the view from the top (7,214 ft / 2,199 m) absolutely stunning! A nearby sign read: "Glacier Point is the most famous viewpoint in the world". Well, perhaps a little bit exaggerated. ;-) Directly ahead of us Half Dome (8,836 ft / 2,693 m) sat enthroned at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley. Since we had decided weeks ago to hike up this mountain we had a closer look at it. Looked quite steep!

Other eyecatchers were Clouds Rest,  Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls. In contrast the mighty Yosemite Falls, the highest falls in North America, were barely visible - due to the lack of water. Typical for a late summer day.