三月的新綠: 2015 Yosemite National Park

2016年4月15日星期五

2015 Yosemite National Park — 8/10 Glacier Point

繼續往Glacier Point前進，在路的最尾端我們看到了一個大停車場，遊覽車、中巴、轎車塞得沒剩多少空位了！

看到這麼多遊客，就知道這裡是主要朝聖地！

從停車場走到遊客中心前的觀景區，映入眼簾的是峰峰相連的巨石群！

這是我們這台便宜相機所能捕捉到的極限，其實照片左、右側應該還要多納入些才是全景。

Glacier Point is a viewpoint above Yosemite Valley, in California, USA. It is located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 7,214 feet (2,199 m), 3,200 feet (980 m) above Curry Village. The point offers a superb view of Yosemite National Park's Yosemite Valley, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and Clouds Rest.

當然這就是優勝美地最有名的Half Dome，每年都有從世界各地而來的英雄（雌）好漢來這裡挑戰攻頂。

這輩子沒看到這麼雄偉的巨石山，真的震撼感十足！
Half Dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California. It is a well-known rock formation in the park, named for its distinct shape. One side is a sheer face while the other three sides are smooth and round, making it appear like a dome cut in half.The granite crest rises more than 4,737 ft (1,444 m) above the valley floor.

由於想攻頂的遊客眾多，所以國家公園處在2010年規定在周末及國定假日時需要permit才能成行。之後更因為太多遊客避開周末，改由無需permit的周間前往，2011年又改成一周七天全面需要permit。
當然獲得permit的方法是由電腦抽籤的方式，有興趣的網友可以參考以下鏈接：
Half Dome Permits for Day Hikers

當然，如果你問我想試試爬這個山嗎？答案是肯定的“NO！”
原因無它，主要是膽子小，而老命也想保住好留著玩其他比較不危險的地方。（單是看到這些照片就覺得恐怖，不想走到一半腿軟，上不去又下不來，卡在一半不成了個大笑話）

所以就認命地坐在石塊上，遙望欣賞就好！對了忘了說明，其實這裡還不算是真正的Glacier Point，想到那裏還需要再走一小段trail！
Glacier Point Trail
Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip
Elevation at trailhead: 7,200 feet (2,200 meters)
Elevation Gain: none that you'd notice
Why See Glacier Point? The views from here are unsurpassed anywhere in California - a state, it should be noted, that encompasses both Big Sur and the Playboy mansion.
Hiking Time: 20 minutes
Best Time to Visit: Crowds are low from November to May. You'll need cross-country skis to get here then, though, because Glacier Point Road is closed during these months. Otherwise, anytime the road is open is a fabulous time to be at Glacier Point. Sunsets, in particular, rock. Springtime gets a slight edge over the rest of the year because of the views looking down on and Nevada Fallsat full runoff.
Crowd Factor: High when Glacier Point Road is open. It's a short, easy hike with gasp-inducing views as a reward, so it draws a crowd. If you want similar, but slightly more secluded views, try hiking to Sentinel Dome or Taft Point instead. Dewey Point, farther west, is even less crowded - in fact, it might be the only trail in Yosemite that's arguably less crowded in the summer than the winter (it's a major destination for snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter). Washburn Point, which you'll pass three quarters of a mile before reaching Glacier Point, is also typically less crowded and a must stop.
Difficulty: One of Yosemite's easiest hikes. Much of it is wheelchair accessible (see the trail map for the wheelchair route to the point).
Getting There: Glacier Point can be found, logically enough, at the terminus of Glacier Point Road.