I recommend everyone visit Yosemite once. The scale is mind-bending. The falls appear in slow motion because the water is traveling such a great distance. Enormous, ancient trees appear as peach fuzz atop the walls.
I can't think of another place where you can walk right up to something so massive rising out of the earth.
I climbed a much more modest, easy peak there 15 years ago, and saw the headlamps across the valley of climbers on el cap. Its an awe-inspiring scene in the literal sense.
If you go, take the time to hike away from the crowds. It's a zoo of cars but quiet and breathtakingly beautiful if you explore.
I hiked up to the rim of MSH a couple decades ago, but didn't go down into it. I can attest that it's pretty big in there. And the sight of the giant blown-down trees for miles around is incredible.
Steens mountain is one of my favorite places I've visited. I found it when I was young by just looking at maps for what seemed like the most remote area I could drive to. Unfortunately it was humid in the summer when I went and the stars weren't as notable as I expected, but the vast emptiness, the epic landscape, and the pronghorn made it worthwhile.
This reminds me of a time I sat outside a cabin in Big Bear looking at the snowy mountain range. It was crazy how vast and white it was. Maybe I just need to go outside.
reply