Olmsted Point, Yosemite National Park, CA, 5/28/2009
At almost 8,400 feet above sea level, Olmsted Point in Yosemite National Park offers wonderful High Sierra views! At this elevation you find plants and trees like this old Juniper, which is well suited to the exposed, windswept, harsh environment, free of competition from other plants and the ravages of insects and disease. I noticed this beautiful tree from the road, and it was an easy walk up the gently sloped granite dome to this spot. I prepared my camera, and then waited through a light rain for the sun to reemerge. The center of this photograph is dominated by Clouds Rest, at 9,930 feet above sea level. Further to the right is the back face of Half Dome, which appears to be under another distant rainstorm. The location of this photograph is named after the American landscape architect and conservationist Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.
