Researching the Eastern Sierra before Memorial Day is always a gamble. Late season snow can block car access across Yosemite's Tioga Road, and many places haven't yet opened for the season. Sadly, this year's drought worked to my favor. Though I did spot some diehards skiing what looked like slush on Mammoth Mountain, there were no snow issues to worry about. The nights dropped below freezing in Sequoia National Park, and I experienced my first frightening wind storm along southern Hwy 395, but the tire chains never went into action.
For the next two weeks I'm sequestered at home, writing up everything I witnessed, tasted and experienced, so a few representative photos are in order.
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| Tall trees in Sequoia |
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| Spotted along Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy Road |
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| Guard tower at the Manzanar National Historic Site |
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| Frozen Tioga Lake (~9700ft) |
