May Lake

One of the hikes I did in Yosemite was the one that goes up to May Lake and then continues on to Mount Hoffman. I just did the portion to the lake, since I've climbed Mount Hoffman before. Most people know Yosemite for Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the waterfall. But my. But my favorite part of the park is the high country along Highway 120. It's a little more wild feeling and remote. There is a little more severity to the landscape, and perhaps even a little more danger. But it's beautiful and breathtaking and the vistas are world class. Here are a few photos from my hike in the high country, including the goelogically "famous" May Lake Pendant!

Pond at trailhead

A Mighty Fallen

Cathedral Peak

Mt. Hoffman and May Lake

Geology at May Lake

The "infamous" May Lake Pendant

High Country

Mount Hoffman

For those interested in the geology: The Sierra Nevada Mountains are all a part of what is called the Tuolumne Intrusive Suite. Basically it is a giant magma chamber (batholith) that used to be under California that has now been brought up to the surface and cooled. The May Lake pendant is a little remnant of the rock that existed above the magma chamber when it was still underground. It has been lifted up along with the batholith and is now perched along side of May Lake, for hikers and geologists to enjoy;)