Tom Harrison Trail Map: Kings Canyon High Country Trail Map. Areas include: Rae Lakes, Paradise Valley, Cedar Grove, Kearsarge Pass, LeConte Canyon, Crown Valley, Tehipite Valley, Blackcap Basin; John Muir PCT Wilderness Map, Pacific Crest Trail, US Hwy 395 Eastern Sierra Nevada; Backpacking High Sierra, Hiking Backpacking Kings Canyon National Park.
Dinkey Creek and the hike-in only, wilderness lakes are part of a bigger Sierra National Forest
Perfect for a day hike reference or extended backpacking adventures. Scale = 2″ to mile; Usually only found at Ranger Stations – Hard to find maps. Printed on paper; Last updated in 1991.
CREEK FIRE 2020: Much of the Sierra National Forest was badly burned in a recent wildfire, but this Dinkey Creek area was spared. The huge fire moved the other direction – from Shaver Lake north and then eastward.
That means this Dinkey Creek Area may become more popular, along with high elevation lakes – Courtright and Wishon Reservoirs – now that this the only unburnt region around.
At least the nearby Sequoia trees in the McKinley Grove didn’t go up in flames.
NOTE: Much of the Sierra National Forest may be closed to the public (for years) due to forest hazards, loggers working, and general fire cleanup. Contact the local USFS Ranger station at Tollhouse to find out what areas are indeed open.
Tom Harrison Yosemite Valley Map, Topo Trail Map Yosemite Parks, Hiking Trails Yosemite Valley Trails, Yosemite National Park Maps Hiking Trails Topo Map; Regions include – Yosemite Valley Mirror Lake, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome Hiking, Nevada Falls, Mist Trail, Vernal Falls, Yosemite National Park Campgrounds, Trailheads, Shuttle Stops, Merced River. Easily understood w/ several languages too!
Yosemite Valley represents only one percent of the park area, but this is where most visitors arrive and stay. The Tunnel View is the first view of the Valley for many visitors and is extensively photographed. El Capitan, a prominent granite cliff that looms over Yosemite Valley, is one of the most popular rock climbing destinations in the world because of its diverse range of climbing routes in addition to its year-round accessibility. Granite domes such as Sentinel Dome and Half Dome rise 3,000 and 4,800 feet, respectively, above the valley floor at 4000 feet.
The high country of Yosemite contains beautiful areas such as Tuolumne Meadows, Dana Meadows, the Clark Range, the Cathedral Range, and the Kuna Crest. The Sierra crest and the Pacific Crest Trail run through Yosemite, with peaks of red metamorphic rock, such as Mount Dana and Mount Gibbs, and granite peaks, such as Mount Conness. Mount Lyell is the highest point in the park, standing at 13,120 feet. The Lyell Glacier is the largest glacier in Yosemite National Park and is one of the few remaining in the Sierra Nevada today.
The park has three groves of ancient giant sequoia trees; the Mariposa Grove (200 trees), the Tuolumne Grove (25 trees), and the Merced Grove (20 trees). Many of the trees in Mariposa Grove were recently toppled by severe winds in 2020; Groves may be closed due to cleanup efforts.
Half Dome view from Glacier Point (photo SKIP JONES)
Half Dome Trail Map
Hiking to Half Dome is very long day trip, on foot, uphill half the way, with excessive elevation gain and loss. Leave toward the trailhead before day break and get back after sundown. No kidding: 17 miles round trip. You must be in excellent shape to tackle this trail, as it involves discipline and strength. Super scenic waterfalls and viewpoints all along the way. Some prefer to do an overnight trek w/ backpack, food and permits.
Half Dome Hiking Map
Tom Harrison Maps
Hike Half Dome Yosemite Trails, Backpacking Yosemite National Park, Climbing Half Dome, Yosemite Day Hikes, Backpacking Maps; Areas include: Glacier Point Hike, Yosemite Creek, Yosemite Falls, Tenaya Lake, Yosemite Valley, Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, North Dome, Clouds Rest, Teneya Lake, Yosemite Creek, Panorama Trail, Mono Meadow, Little Yosemite Valley.
The geology of the Yosemite area is characterized by granitic rocks and remnants of older rock. About 10 million years ago, the Sierra Nevada was uplifted and then tilted to form its relatively gentle western slopes and the more dramatic eastern slopes. The uplift increased the steepness of stream and river beds, resulting in the formation of deep, narrow canyons. About one million years ago, snow and ice accumulated, forming glaciers at the higher alpine meadows that moved down the river valleys. Ice thickness in Yosemite Valley may have reached 4,000 feet during the early glacial episode. The downslope movement of the ice masses cut and sculpted the U-shaped valley that attracts so many visitors to its scenic vistas today.