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The tunnel tree we visited in 2013 fell over during this past Sunday’s storm. Of the three tunnel trees, only the Clothespin Tree remains.
For perspective, my kids were each over 6′ tall when this photo was taken.
Yosemite National Park
A little over three years ago this happened.
Yosemite National Park under a full moon
Last month’s trip to Yosemite had us staying south of the valley, which meant a different approach than the one I had always taken before from the San Francisco Bay Area. When you come in from the south you experience “tunnel view”–made famous by Ansel Adams. We happened to be leaving the valley to return to our lodgings just as a nearly full moon rose above the scene.
El Capitan Meadow
Although you can see El Capitan in El Capitan Meadow, the views are excellent all the way around so today’s photo is not of El Capitan but is the view west from the meadow. Ryan and I are in there, but with a wide angle lens we sort of get lost in the scenery.
You don’t normally get a pic of your own car on the road, but we had friends with us in Yosemite over spring break, and when I took this photo I was in their car.
Ellie (all 6′ 1″ of her) showing that the California Tunnel Tree opening is over 9 feet high
There were once three tunnel trees in Mariposa Grove. One was natural and still exists (the Clothespin Tree). The Fallen Tunnel Tree (AKA The Wawona Tunnel Tree) is the most famous and was the first carved by humans, but it fell in 1969. The California Tunnel Tree (AKA Pioneer Cabin) was carved by humans in 1895 and still stands today*. Getting there involves a short hike from the parking area. You can no longer drive through it like you could a hundred years ago.
When we arrived at 9:30 a.m. there were only about a dozen cars in the Mariposa Grove parking lot and the grove was peaceful. By the time we left at about 11 there were tons of tourists in the grove and a line of cars waiting for parking spaces.