State Route 140 (Cellphone - Part 2) - Yosemite National Park

On 26 December 2021, I visited Yosemite National Park in California for a day trip. I went right between 2 of the biggest snowstorms of the season so far, and there was only a period of around 9 to 10 hours that were snow free. I knew the scenery inside Yosemite is going to be very beautiful after a snowstorm, so I went to take some photos. I only brought my mirrorless camera this time as the polarizer on my big camera is completely jammed (I found out about this on my trip into Yosemite 10 days prior). I took both photos on my cellphone and my mirrorless camera on this trip. The photos are split into 3 parts. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos.

As mentioned, I had taken a trip into Yosemite National Park 10 days prior this trip on 16 December 2021. I have lumped the links to the blog posts for both of the trips together.

Parts (16 December 2021): 1 | 2 | Cellphone Photos (Part 1)

Parts (26 December 2021): 3 | 4 | Cellphone Photos (Part 2)

This is part 2 of the cellphone photos I took at Yosemite. The photos for today are photos I took with my cellphone on 26 December 2021. The photos were all shot on State Route 140 prior to passing the Arch Rock Entrance. My parents and I were very surprised at the amount of traffic going into Yosemite that day. There was a very long line, and we ended up waiting in line for around 2 hours before getting to the Arch Rock Entrance. Big Oak Flat Entrance on State Route 120 was closed on this particular day due to snow. I think the reason the line was this long was because the ranger was checking everyone for tire chains (this include AWD vehicles with snow tires, you are still required to carry chains). The line was pretty crazy, people just relieved themselves on the side of the road in front of everyone (including my parents and I). 😂 I'm still not sure why this many people went considering there were only a couple hours between the biggest storms of the season so far. If the weather forecast was even a little bit off, I think there was a huge risk of spending the night inside Yosemite in below freezing temperatures and whiteout conditions.

A scenery photo of us waiting in line. We got a glimpse of the snow that has fallen inside Yosemite. On the right is the Merced River.

The traffic was going so slowly, some passengers in some vehicles got out and started walking around taking photos (including me).

A scenery photo of us waiting in line. On the left is the Merced River.

A scenery photo of us waiting in line. On the right is the Merced River.

A scenery photo of the Merced River. There was so much snow already, and also very cold!

A scenery photo of the Merced River.

A scenery photo of the Merced River.

This is all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

As mentioned, I had taken a trip into Yosemite National Park 10 days prior this trip on 16 December 2021. I have lumped the links to the blog posts for both of the trips together.

Parts (16 December 2021): 1 | 2 | Cellphone Photos (Part 1)

Parts (26 December 2021): 3 | 4 | Cellphone Photos (Part 2)

Note about winter travel in Yosemite: On the day my parents and I went to Yosemite, we took State Route 140, and R2 level chain control was in place. My parents and I waited 2 hours in line just to get in (this is on a Sunday). The Big Oak Flat Entrance on State Route 120 was closed due to snow. The park police at Arch Rock Entrance was checking everyone for tire chains. It doesn't matter if you have snow tires and AWD. The only benefit of vehicles with snow tires and AWD is that you only have to carry the chains, you don't have to put them on immediately (unless the conditions get really bad). All other vehicles not having snow tires, or are not AWD are required to have tire chains installed. If you don't have tire chains, you'll have to turn around, drive around a mile, and buy them from the guy selling tire chains on the side of the road. If there isn't anyone selling tire chains on the side of the road, you'll be looking at an even longer drive back. 

Also, as we were driving into the park, we saw a broken down vehicle, with several of its airbags deployed, in a ditch on the side of State Route 140. If I had to guess, it probably took place the night before during the heavy snowstorm, and another vehicle probably slid on the ice rear ending this vehicle. My dad also learned in a moderately hard way of the dangers of black ice. The ambient temperature in Yosemite Valley dipped below the freezing point of water at around sunset. My dad nearly hit a car in front of us that was stopped at a stop sign because our car kept sliding forward on ice despite my dad braking. Luckily the car in front of us saw us slipping and floored it. My dad learned his lesson. He drove slowly and maintained extra distance with the vehicle in front of us until we were a few degrees above freezing and we were no longer able to see any more snow on the side of the road. 

Also, we got to witness karma on this trip. Please don't be the jerk who thinks he or she knows how to drive on ice better than everyone else. My parents witnessed this on our drive out of the park (I'm night blind at this point). Our family and this car in front of us was driving slow at night out of the park because we knew there was ice on the ground. This impatient pickup behind us decided to blind both of us with his or her high beams for a while, before illegally passing both of us. My parents watched as that pickup slipped and swerved before slowing down to a crawl like us. It's amazing how fast karma hits and that pickup didn't crash.

Here are my recommendations if you are going to Yosemite during the winter:

• Make sure you check Yosemite's website and CalTrans's website for information on road closures and chain control.
• If you go while chain control is in place, make sure you are carrying tire chains.
• If you are going during the holidays or on the weekend, leave early as you might be waiting in line for hours just to get into the park.
• Pay attention to the thermometer readings in your vehicle. Once the ambient temperature outside starts approaching or goes below the freezing point of water, slow down and maintain more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you as black ice could be forming on the ground.
• Don't be the jerk who thinks he or she can drive better and faster than everyone else in freezing conditions.

Drive safely, slow down, and enjoy the winter scenery inside Yosemite! Don't rush!

Parts (16 December 2021): 1 | 2 | Cellphone Photos (Part 1)

Parts (26 December 2021): 3 | 4 | Cellphone Photos (Part 2)

Photos Redone - Yosemite National Park/Mono Lake

As I learn more RAW photo processing techniques, I get better and better with my results. Recently I went back and redone some of my photos that I felt I didn't adequately process the first time through that was worth reprocessing. Today I am here to show you the new results I have for Yosemite National Park and Mono Lake from my 2012 and 2013 trip. You can view my original photos and other trip photos from 2013 here. You can view my original photos and other trip photos from 2012 here.

Full Resolution Photos and Prints: If you want to see full resolution photos or buy prints of any of the photos you see, they are up on my portfolio for viewing. If you are interested, choose one of the links below:

• Yosemite 2012 (Best Photos)
• Yosemite 2013 (Best Photos)
• Yosemite 2012 (All Photos)
• Yosemite 2013 (All Photos)

I will first start off with photos from my 2013 trip.

Loved the blue sky and the clouds that day. Made for a really nice country scenery. The road you see is SR-140. I took this on my drive to Yosemite National Park from the SF Bay Area.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 19 25 N 120 15 35 W

 Someone's farm fenced off with barbed wire. Still on the side of SR-140 on my drive to Yosemite National Park.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 19 25 N 120 15 35 W

Another photo on SR-140. Loved the curve in the highway. As you can see, a pro photographer may suddenly slow and pull over with no warning at all. :P So next time you see some douche driving slowly down an empty highway, this could be the reason. LOL

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 21 08 N 120 11 48 W

 Someone's farm fenced off with barbed wire. Some cows off in the distance. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 21 08 N 120 11 48 W

Photo of SR-140 near Indian Flat RV Park. On the left is some Redbud (Cercis canadensis). On the right is SR-140. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 39 41 N 119 50 54 W

View of Merced River on Foresta Road.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 10 N 119 49 02 W

View of Stanislaus National Forest from Foresta Road.

 Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 11 N 119 49 01 W

A vertical shot of Cascade Falls. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 43 28 N 119 42 43 W

A portrait shot of Bridalveil Fall from the parking lot. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 42 59 N 119 39 06 W

View of Yosemite Falls from across the street from the trail head of Four Mile Trail.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 44 02 N 119 36 07 W

The rest are from my 2012 trip.

Boardwalk at Mono Basin. 

Tufas at Mono Lake. 

Grass field with some tufa behind. I think the clouds adds a nice touch to the photo. Good thing the clouds started rolling in!  

More tufa formation at Mono Lake 

Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park. 

This lake was near the eastern entrance of Yosemite (like near the gate).  I thought the landscape looked great so I headed down. 

 This was the meadow near the lake I think. 

 Further into Yosemite National Park, there was a stream. I took my tripod into the stream for this one. 

These are all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed them. Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

SR-140/El Portal Road - Yosemite National Park (Part 5)

Yosemite National Park is a national park located in California that stretches eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in the central eastern portion of California and covers around 761,268 acres or 3,080.74 km² of land. Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, deep valleys, grand meadows, giant sequoias, giant wilderness area, and much more. I, personally, love Yosemite National Park. I think it is very beautiful and is a great place for photographs. I also happen to live in the SF Bay Area which isn't very far from it! I try to make at least 1 trip almost every year to the park. I visited the park several month ago and I am here to show you some of the photos I took in the park as well as some photos I took on the way into the park from the SF Bay Area. These photos will be divided over several blog posts. I hope you enjoy the photos! Also, I have route information recorded using a Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver. If you are planning a similar trip to Yosemite National Park and would like to see the route I took, feel free to email me at the email address I provided on my "About the Photographer" page for a copy. I can provide you the route information in Google Earth KMZ, Canon NMEA, and GPX formats. If you would like to get notifications when I do post, you can Like/Follow me on the following fan pages: Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Full Resolution Photos and Prints: If you want to see full resolution photos or buy prints of any of the photos you see, they are up on my portfolio for viewing. If you are interested, choose one of the links below:

• Yosemite 2013 (Best Photos)
• Yosemite 2013 (All Photos)

Next Post >>
<< Previous Post

Now let's introduce you to the photos for today. The photos for today was from the 2nd day of my trip. The photos will include photos from my drive into Yosemite National Park and a few photos from the entrance area of the park.

Merced River. Photo shot on the area where SR-140 crosses over the Merced River.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 18 N 119 47 37 W 

 Merced River. Photo also shot on the area where SR-140 crosses over the Merced River.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 18 N 119 47 37 W 

 Photo of SR-140 on the bridge where the above 2 photos were shot. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 18 N 119 47 36 W 

Bitter Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium)

I saw these flower trees right past the bridge. I thought they looked pretty so I stopped for a few photos.  

A noticed a few bees collecting nectar so I attempted to do a few more photos with them on there.  

 Here is another shot of the bees collecting nectar. 

If you been to Yosemite from the west entrance, you probably know SR-140 runs along the Merced River. Here is another photo of the Merced River. 

 Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 59 N 119 44 00 W 

Merced River along SR-140

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 59 N 119 44 00 W  

 Approaching the ticket entrance of Yosemite National Park, there were a lot of cars. Sure was a slow day that day. 

Finally inside Yosemite National Park. Pulled over to the side of El Portal Road (SR-140 turns  into this right past the ticket entrance). The photo is of the Merced River. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 41 09 N 119 43 49 W 

At the same location as above, took a photo of the rocks and vegetation on the riverbank of the Merced River.  

 The 2 giant rocks people drive under after entering Yosemite National Park from the west. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 41 15 N 119 43 46 W 

Another photo of the Merced River at a turnout on El Portal Road. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 41 15 N 119 43 46 W  

Another photo of the Merced River at a turnout on El Portal Road. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 41 15 N 119 43 45 W  

These are all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed them. Next time I go deeper into Yosemite National Park with photos from Cascade Falls. Please don't forget to share my blog posts with your friends! If you would like to get notifications next time I post, you can "Like" me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Google+. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

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Yosemite Cedar Lodge/SR-140 - Yosemite National Park (Part 4)

Yosemite National Park is a national park located in California that stretches eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in the central eastern portion of California and covers around 761,268 acres or 3,080.74 km² of land. Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, deep valleys, grand meadows, giant sequoias, giant wilderness area, and much more. I, personally, love Yosemite National Park. I think it is very beautiful and is a great place for photographs. I also happen to live in the SF Bay Area which isn't very far from it! I try to make at least 1 trip almost every year to the park. I visited the park several month ago and I am here to show you some of the photos I took in the park as well as some photos I took on the way into the park from the SF Bay Area. These photos will be divided over several blog posts. I hope you enjoy the photos! Also, I have route information recorded using a Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver. If you are planning a similar trip to Yosemite National Park and would like to see the route I took, feel free to email me at the email address I provided on my "About the Photographer" page for a copy. I can provide you the route information in Google Earth KMZ, Canon NMEA, and GPX formats. If you would like to get notifications when I do post, you can Like/Follow me on the following fan pages: Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Full Resolution Photos and Prints: If you want to see full resolution photos or buy prints of any of the photos you see, they are up on my portfolio for viewing. If you are interested, choose one of the links below:

• Yosemite 2013 (Best Photos)
• Yosemite 2013 (All Photos)

Next Post >>
<< Previous Post

Now let's introduce you to the photos for today. The photos for today was from the 2nd day of my trip. Some of the photos will be from near Yosemite Cedar Lodge, and the others will be on my drive into Yosemite National Park. If you would like to read my review on Yosemite Cedar Lodge, please view my previous post.

 Yosemite Cedar Lodge and SR-140. Morning fog rolling in, so I decided to take a shot. Wish there was a bit more fog though. That would have made an even better shot. 

View of Stanislaus National Forest from Yosemite Cedar Lodge. More morning fog.  

The Merced River facing towards Yosemite National Park. When I saw this in the morning, I was hoping "Please don't rain". Luckily it didn't, however it was pretty cloudy that day.  

View of Stanislaus National Forest from Yosemite Cedar Lodge. More morning fog.  

Photo of SR-140 near Indian Flat RV Park. On the left is some Redbud (Cercis canadensis). On the right is SR-140. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 39 41 N 119 50 54 W

 Close up shot of the Redbud (Cercis canadensis) on the side of SR-140 above. 

 Close up shot of the Redbud (Cercis canadensis) on the side of SR-140 above. 

Shot of Merced River from a picnic area.

 Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 39 43 N 119 50 46 W

Shot of Merced River from a picnic area.

 Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 39 43 N 119 50 46 W 

Shot of Merced River from a picnic area.

 Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 39 43 N 119 50 48 W 

 Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)

Photo taken at a different location on Foresta Road in El Portal, CA near the National Park Services Administrative and Maintenance building. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 11 N 119 48 58 W 

View of Merced River on Foresta Road.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 09 N 119 49 01 W  

 View of Merced River on Foresta Road.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 10 N 119 49 02 W

View of Stanislaus National Forest from Foresta Road.

 Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 11 N 119 49 01 W

A shot of the National Park Services Administrative and Maintenance building on Foresta Road.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 37 40 11 N 119 48 57 W

These are all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed them. Next time I will have more photos of driving into Yosemite National Park and the entrance area of Yosemite National Park. Please don't forget to share my blog posts with your friends! If you would like to get notifications next time I post, you can "Like" me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Google+. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

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