Lee Vining, California
Top Stories in and near Lee Vining
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Yosemite National Park, California
Why Backpacking Clouds Rest Should Make Your Permit Application Lineup
Literally, no good reason as to why it took me so long to hike to Clouds Rest. If there is, I’m really not sure what it is. As a self-proclaimed view hunter that’s been diligently exploring California and the Western U.S. with handfuls of cameras over the last few years, the views from the summit...Read more -
Yosemite National Park, California
First Time Backpacker from Chicago Spends One Night Alone in the Yosemite Backcountry
Let's start with some background. I'm 33 years old and originally from Chicago. I quit my corporate life a year ago and sold everything, house included, to travel and make some drastic life changes personally and professionally. This started with culinary school in Ireland followed by several mon...Read more -
A Beginner's Guide to Photographing Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a treasure for adventurers and photographers of all skill levels. If you are a newer photographer or visitor to the park however, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin with so many wonderful sites to take in. While Yosemite National Park is very expansive, I'm sh...Read more -
Yosemite National Park, California
A guide to hiking Half Dome
Half Dome is the most iconic rock face in Yosemite Valley and definitely one of its most popular hikes. Thousands of visitors hike the trail each summer for the chance to experience the unbeatable panorama from the top of Yosemite. Here are a few common questions about this popular hike in Yosemi...Read more -
Yosemite National Park, California
[UPDATED. AGAIN.] Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell set a mind boggling new record on the Nose
Update June 6, 2018 For big-wall climbers, El Capitan probably is the most recognizable climb on the planet. The Nose, an iconic 31 pitch route up the 3000 ft face, has long been a test of speed climbers, with the most recent record set by Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell. 2 days ago. But that a...Read more -
Yosemite Village, California
11 Amazing Backpacking Trips in Yosemite National Park
In Yosemite, you can see some of America’s most impressive scenery without stepping foot out of your car. That said, you’ll be sharing the view with thousands of other people and the line of cars ahead doesn’t exactly satisfy the need for wide open space and fresh mountain air. Of course, there i...Read more -
Yosemite Village, California
5 Things you don’t know about Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is one of the most well-known national parks in the world. Granite domes, alpine lakes, climbing routes, waterfalls, acres of backcountry, and maybe even moonbows come to mind. Well, those and Alex Honnold free-soloing El Capitan in an insanely short amount of time. In addition to many ...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Yosemite Shines in Fall and Winter
It's hard not to love Yosemite National Park. It is one of those places that breeds awe in adventurers and casual travelers alike. Families love it, solo explorers love it, and everyone in-between loves it, too. With all this admiration, it's easy to see why Yosemite is such a popular destination...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Searching for Winter Wildlife in Yosemite Valley
Wildlife in Yosemite Valley is vastly different according to seasons. Bears will be in hibernation, antlers will have been shed for the season, but there are a few stars to keep your eyes peeled for. Most notably, the hunting coyotes. Coyotes spend most of their time avoiding humans (we have tha...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
A Starbucks Opened in Yosemite Valley and the World Didn't End
This past week, Starbucks opened a Yosemite Valley location, much to the dismay of the 25,000 people who signed a petition protesting it. It's located at what is now the remodeled Base Camp Eatery at Yosemite Lodge. The location is LEED certified (the first retail location in Yosemite to achieve ...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Outbound Reviewed: Spotting Climbers on El Capitan with Maven Optics C.1 Binoculars
I've spent hours watching climbers make their way up El Cap from the Meadow, but from thousands of feet below, you can just barely make out the climbers heading up the wall. They basically look like ants. That is unless you've got a nice pair of binoculars. Enter the Maven C.1. The general cons...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Hear me out: Winter is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park
I consider Yosemite National Park a formidable backdrop to my personal growth. I’ve conquered many fears within its 1,169 square miles, from climbing Half Dome by myself to comfortably skinny dipping with friends for the first time in the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne to hiking more miles in a day...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
A Magical Yosemite Valley Winter Storm
I gave myself a personal assignment to chase a storm heading toward Yosemite Valley. Leading up to the trip, the weather was changing daily and I wasn’t sure if I was going to score. The night before we left, a high weather advisory was rolled out for snow up to 13 inches. The roads slowly becam...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Luxury in the Heart of The Valley: The Majestic Yosemite Hotel
Tucked into the eastern corner of Yosemite Valley, the Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly known as the Ahwahnee Hotel) offers a chance for you to explore some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and experience all the comforts that come with a stay in a luxury hotel. Known for its stunnin...Read more -
Overcoming Fear on Yosemite's Matthes Crest
“Our deepest fears are like dragons guarding our deepest treasures.” - Rainer Maria Rilke Finally, I am a figure of those Ansel Adams’ Yosemite pictures that I obsessed over as a kid. Finally, I’m on a Yosemite peak... ...But the sides of the mountain drop hundreds of feet on either side. Normal...Read more -
Sierra Nevada, California
23 Things I Learned in 23 Days on the John Muir Trail
Here are 23 things I learned from my time on the trail: 1. The summit isn’t where you learn who you are or what you’re made of. It’s somewhere during the climb. 2. Wildflowers offer a beautiful lesson in resiliency. 3. If there’s a hell, it’s surely filled with mosquitoes. 4. You can literally n...Read more