Kings Canyon & Yosemite Hikes

“Just got back from a series of hikes in Grant Grove, Cedar Grove, Zumwalt Meadow and from other places in Kings Canyon. Also spent some time in Yosemite.











Heading out again to another peak this weekend (after the kiddoes B-day party on Saturday). They're 3 now. (!) dang.

Probably go on Sunday.
last edited: 6/03/05 3:07:52 AM”

“awesome photos!”

“Great pictures! Hope to get out there one day soon.”

“awesome pictures, thanks for sharing”

“Nice pictures and journal James. Hard to believe the kids are 3 now! Of course my oldest will be 7 in July!

I wanted to get out last weekend, but I just didn't feel up to a 3 hour drive.”

“I'm heading that way in July.
Any recommendations?”

“Very nice pics, tekdude! I was in those 3 same parks last weekend! I may be going back this weekend as well, I can't get enough of that runoff over vertical granite. We may be climbing Half Dome too, without the cable posts installed. I hope that sounds impressive. Ha ha! Anyway, I love your pics, great stuff!”

“Hey Buck, I may try to get up to Yosemite Saturday too if I feel up to it. Got a new tripod/head and it needs to be broken in! Probably going to hit Cathedral Beach for sunrise and be at Glacier Point for sunset.”

“Maybe I'll see up at Glacier Point because I'd like to be up there for sunset and sunrise! Make sure you're wearing your "Hi, I'm Hikin' Mike" t-shirt!”

“Nice pics tekdude! I like the one with the water:-)”

“I'm easy to spot now. I'll be the guy with the walker.”

“Awesome photos! I like the light and shadow. What time of day was it?”

“beautiful pics James - what kind of camera are you using now?”

“Gads I gotta get back to those places...

Hey Buck...climbing the up Half Dome with the cables down isn't bad at all, OK it's a tad impressive.....





It's coming back down thats a bear, and very impressive, LOL.”

“Hiya wingding-

Still with my Nikon D100. Though, I bought some more lenses. The latest is the 12mm-24mm lense. Thing is, can't use an ND filter on it below 18mm though. Also have that 18mm-35mm lense which is the workhorse. =)

Shooting in high res jpg and RAW. And I keep White Balance set manual. Lots of udder stuff going on in terms of settings as well. I'm a ham fisted hack. lol

Are you looking for another camera?
last edited: 6/08/05 4:06:03 PM”

“wannabp, most of those shots were taken in the evening or late afternoon.

Inspired by Buck, need to figure out how to get the motion effect in the river or water segments. And without the use of a tripod. =)”

“Thanks, that's interesting about which lens you use most. I need a wider angle lens--like that will help. I need a lot more practice, too.”

“James: I'm just trying to figure out if I want more than a point and shoot digital - not sure yet, but I can see it would make a difference in my photos.”

“Wingding, I don't know if you like Canons, but if you do, here's something to be consider. After years of having all lenses fit all cameras, they started a series of lens that just works with the Rebel and the 20D. I'm frustrated because I have the 10D and it doesn't work with a lens I want, but can't afford. Now I can't even imagine having it.

When you go to a 35 mm type digital, you lose the wide-angle capacity of the point and shoot unless you have a very wide angle lens. That's a consideration. I love my camera, but I can't imagine carrying a telefoto and wide angle for a week!
last edited: 6/09/05 10:09:41 AM”

“Kathy, I'm very happy with my Cannon Digital Rebel! That's the same one Michael is using too, except he has the "Pro" lenses.

James, Good luck with getting the milky water without a tripod! Unless you find a rock, it will be near impossible. I tried to hand hold a few shots and they just don't work.

Here's Fern Spring in Yosemite...
”

“Hikin Mike, that photo is beautiful, the way the water changes from streams to mist and the back water and the grass are both in focus.”

“I drove him to that spot....do I get credit too? LOL!

I have a similar shot and everytime I look at this I see a distorted face in the water...the two rocks are the eyes then you see a nose and then teeth...weird.

Wingding....take a look at the Rebel XT it's smaller and lighter than the original Rebel and has more features and 8 megapixels :)
last edited: 6/10/05 10:30:18 PM”

“Wind Walker, I see that face. You get credit for being a helpful person because you drove your friend to the mountains :-)

Jerry is always saying I should get a lighter camera. Maybe I should get the new Rebel. JKing.”

“Beautiful shots Tekdude!
I have a D100 as well... and 3 lenses.
50 mm (Nikon) (right now it's living on my Nikon D80 body)
70-200 (Sigma) (Use mostly for rock concerts where I have to shoot in near dark...)
and I think the one I use most is a 28-80 (Sigma)

I'll have to email you sometime as to what kind of lenses and filters you use!

I usually carry mine attached to my shoulder straps on my back pack and on the front of me (in its case)

Anyhow... I love your pictures!

**************************************

Anyone have advise for EASY day hikes in Yosemite and Lake Tahoe? My parents are flying out west tomorrow to visit a few places... They have 2 days/nights in Yosemite... :-) Any suggestions as to "must see" places? My mom's got something going on with her knee, so it can't involve extreme elevation changes (We are lending my parents our ski poles from our snow shoes to use as walking sticks.)

My dad said something about "Half Dome", but other than that, where would you suggest they go? Thinkbubelz and I usually head to the ranger stations and get a preview of the park talks and such and then try to go to some of them, but I'm not sure what my mom and dad want to do... I know that they are mostly sedentary, so they do not plan to hike (the way the TTers do), but more like leisurely day strolls... :-)”

“Hi Pinkbubelz. Love the trail name.

How do you like your 28-80 Sigma lense? It would be great to see your photos using that lense. Do you have any posted some place?

Haven't tried Sigma yet, but I've read that they're very well made lenses as is Nikkor. Chromatic Aberration performance in comparison to Nikkor is sometimes better with Sigma. Plus, more often, the range if focal lengths for less dollars is another major advantage.
last edited: 6/17/05 2:29:09 PM”

“Tell your dad to forget Half Dome if your mom has problems with her knees. It is tiring for even the most conditioned hiker.

Suggestions: 1) the Half Loop in the Valley has almost no elevation gain. They will not find much solitude, but the scenery is the best...Yosemite FAlls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and more are to be enjoyed.
2) Drive to Glacier Point and hike to Sentinal Dome. Exceptional views from Glacier Point and SEntinal Dome.
3,4) Bridalveil and Lower Yosemite Falls. These seperate hikes are about 1/2 mile rt, pretty level terrain.
5) Not without elevation gain, but a hike I must include..Vernal Fall. Probably not a good idea though with your mom's knees...but much easier than Half Dome.

For a great website on Yosemite, go to YosemiteFun.com (not my site)

Sierra Nomad
www.YosemiteTrailsDVD.com”