2 minute read
Exploring the Real Yosemite... Tuolumne Meadows in the Sky
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By Sonia Lamba, Resident since 2015
Curry Village - good times with bear necessities.
Yosemite is truly famous for its stunning, amazing and jaw-dropping views: from Glacier point to Olmsted point to Tunnel view. For my daughter’s 16th Birthday in October, we drove to Yosemite for a weekend getaway. Like every other visit, this time too we stayed in tent cabins in Curry Village-an incredible, unique, scenic location just below Half Dome and Glacier Point. These tents are more like glamping without the chic decor. But they are very charming and a good way to connect with the nature. After two nights, we drove 1.5 hours to Tuolumne. It’s a hidden gem to the north of Yosemite and at 8,600 feet, it’s one of the largest high elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada. It is quieter and a good escape to avoid the crowd. Its gorgeous open spaces, trees and lakes are awe-inspiring and just perfect, not to miss hundreds of orange sulphur butterflies fluttering by. A short two-mile hike on John Muir Trail, a lovely flat troll on a scenic meadow, surrounded by the majestic Cathedral Peak and Lembert Dome, led us to Soda Springs near the historical Parsons Lodge. Carbonated bubbling water out of the ground was very fascinating. The water tasted like iron, which I immediately spit out and got good laughs from my kids.
Tuolumne meadows - summer is a joy to visit, while its covered much of the year under a coat of snow.
On the way out, on Tioga road, we stopped at Tenaya Lake (at 8,150ft) with a small sandy beach, for snacks and couple of more shots-it’s too stunning not to. It’s so peaceful and refreshing here. The crystal-clear blue waters are surrounded by amazing views of granite hoods. Worth a stop!
Tenaya Lake - a beauty in true sense!
Back home, if I am looking for day tripping and scenic adventure, I drive up the beguiling Mount Diablo in Blackhawk. It is surrounded by rolling hills, flat valleys and the views from the summit are so impressive.
Sonia Lamba As an aspiring photographer, I have always loved taking beautiful photos of my friends and family, nature and travels. After having a fulfilling career in finance in New York, I moved to California in 2014 where my love for photography turned into an invigorating passion. Moving to gorgeous Blackhawk has further enriched and blossomed my love for the camera. I take my camera everywhere, regardless of how short the distance is. Knowing me, there is always a photo opportunity!
