{"id":10140,"date":"2025-09-04T22:59:37","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T14:59:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=10140"},"modified":"2026-01-15T10:33:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T02:33:51","slug":"20250904yosemite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904yosemite\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 4 of 2025 Labor Day Trip to California, Driving through Yosemite"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The fourth day of my 2025 Labor Day trip to California. After yesterday&#8217;s protracted hike to Half Dome, I took it easy by embarking on a short hike to Gaylor Peak along my drive from Yosemite Valley to Bridgeport.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7375.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7375.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains Surrounding Tioga Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains Surrounding Tioga Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\tvar secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', 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{\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:135,gap:6,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:42,height:57,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-major-5', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider5.sync( secondarySlider5 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-6', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:70,gap:9,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:40,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-major-6', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider6.sync( secondarySlider6 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider7 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-7', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:70,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:39,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider7 = new Splide( '#splide-major-7', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider7.sync( secondarySlider7 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider8 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-8', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:69,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider8 = new Splide( '#splide-major-8', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider8.sync( secondarySlider8 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider9 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-9', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider9 = new Splide( '#splide-major-9', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider9.sync( secondarySlider9 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>In addition to climbing Half Dome, my original plans for the remainder of the week had centered on the Sequoia and Kings Canyon area. With my return flights departing San Francisco on the evening of Sept 6 and today being Sept 4, I had initially intended to drive back to Kings Canyon National Park today, hike to Lookout Peak on the 5th, and then make my way to San Francisco on the 6th. This itinerary demanded considerable time on the road, but seemed a necessary sacrifice for the coveted Half Dome permit.<br \/>\nHowever, the Garnet Fire was raging around Kings Canyon, significantly compromising the air quality there\u2014which had already somewhat diminished my Half Dome experience the previous day. This development sent me scrambling to identify alternative destinations, though fortunately the Sierra Nevada&#8217;s abundance of spectacular peaks made this no difficult task. I quickly settled upon the town of Bridgeport, to the north of Yosemite and hopefully less affected by the wildfire. Using that town as my basecamp, I could choose among Mount Conness, Excelsior Mountain, or Matterhorn Peak for my September 5th excursion. (I ultimately selected Matterhorn\u2014a name too stellar to pass up.)<\/p>\n<p>So for this day, Sept 4, I only needed to drive from Yosemite Valley to Bridgeport, which allowed me a late start after a good night&#8217;s rest, along with opportunities to pause at various roadside turnouts along the way.<\/p>\n<p>Having been less than impressed with Curry Village&#8217;s dining options during my two previous nights there, I checked out just before 11 am, and drove to Yosemite Valley Lodge for brunch. Regrettably, compared to my visit the previous year, the fare struck me as decidedly mediocre this time.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7311.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7311.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Cliffs along Merced River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7312.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7312.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Cliffs along Merced River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliffs along Merced River<\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">After brunch, I found the air was still very hazy in Yosemite Valley, so I didn&#8217;t linger long before heading onto Tioga Road.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Along the way, the first stop I made was at Tenaya Lake, which appeared to lie beyond the reach of the haze covering Yosemite Valley.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_125000C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_125000C.jpg\" alt=\"Tenaya Peak across Tenaya Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Tenaya Peak across Tenaya Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7316.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7316.jpg\" alt=\"Hills beyond Tenaya Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills beyond Tenaya Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7315.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7315.jpg\" alt=\"Shore of Tenaya Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Shore of Tenaya Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7333.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7333.jpg\" alt=\"Tenaya Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Tenaya Peak<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_125000C.jpg\" alt=\"Tenaya Peak across Tenaya Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7316.jpg\" alt=\"Hills beyond Tenaya Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7315.jpg\" alt=\"Shore of Tenaya Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7333.jpg\" alt=\"Tenaya Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_125000C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_125000C.jpg\" alt=\"Tenaya Peak across Tenaya Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tenaya Peak across Tenaya Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7316.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7316.jpg\" alt=\"Hills beyond Tenaya Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills beyond Tenaya Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7315.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7315.jpg\" alt=\"Shore of Tenaya Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Shore of Tenaya Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7333.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7333.jpg\" alt=\"Tenaya Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tenaya Peak<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7320_DSC_7332-13.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7320_DSC_7332-13.jpg\" alt=\"Tenaya Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tenaya Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Further onward, I found the sights around Tuolumne Meadows quite appealing, their openness a refreshing sight amid the dense forests through which I had driven. <\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_125431.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_125431.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Pywiack Dome\" \/><\/a><\/br>Pywiack Dome<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7335.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7335.jpg\" alt=\"Lembert Dome beyond Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lembert Dome beyond Tuolumne Meadows<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7334.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7334.jpg\" alt=\"Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/a><\/br>Tuolumne Meadows<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7351.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7351.jpg\" alt=\"Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/a><\/br>Tuolumne Meadows<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_125431.jpg\" alt=\"Pywiack Dome\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7335.jpg\" alt=\"Lembert Dome beyond Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7334.jpg\" alt=\"Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7351.jpg\" alt=\"Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_125431.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_125431.jpg\" alt=\"Pywiack Dome\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Pywiack Dome<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7335.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7335.jpg\" alt=\"Lembert Dome beyond Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lembert Dome beyond Tuolumne Meadows<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7334.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7334.jpg\" alt=\"Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tuolumne Meadows<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7351.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7351.jpg\" alt=\"Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tuolumne Meadows<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7337_DSC_7350-14.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7337_DSC_7350-14.jpg\" alt=\"Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tuolumne Meadows<\/p><\/div>\n<p>I found a parking lot and set out on a short but pleasing walk across the meadow to Parsons Memorial Lodge.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7367.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7367.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7366.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7366.jpg\" alt=\"Cathedral Peak beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cathedral Peak beyond Tuolumne River<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7358.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7358.jpg\" alt=\"Cathedral Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cathedral Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7369.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7369.jpg\" alt=\"Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/a><\/br>Tuolumne Meadows<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7353.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7353.jpg\" alt=\"Fairview Dome and Marmot Dome beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Fairview Dome and Marmot Dome beyond Tuolumne River<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7365.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7365.jpg\" alt=\"Mammoth Peak beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mammoth Peak beyond Tuolumne River<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7361.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7361.jpg\" alt=\"Lembert Dome beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lembert Dome beyond Tuolumne River<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7357.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7357.jpg\" alt=\"Lembert Dome\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lembert Dome<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7367.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7366.jpg\" alt=\"Cathedral Peak beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7358.jpg\" alt=\"Cathedral Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7369.jpg\" alt=\"Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7353.jpg\" alt=\"Fairview Dome and Marmot Dome beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7365.jpg\" alt=\"Mammoth Peak beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7361.jpg\" alt=\"Lembert Dome beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7357.jpg\" alt=\"Lembert Dome\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7367.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7367.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7366.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7366.jpg\" alt=\"Cathedral Peak beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cathedral Peak beyond Tuolumne River<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7358.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7358.jpg\" alt=\"Cathedral Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cathedral Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7369.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7369.jpg\" alt=\"Tuolumne Meadows\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tuolumne Meadows<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7353.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7353.jpg\" alt=\"Fairview Dome and Marmot Dome beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Fairview Dome and Marmot Dome beyond Tuolumne River<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7365.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7365.jpg\" alt=\"Mammoth Peak beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mammoth Peak beyond Tuolumne River<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7361.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7361.jpg\" alt=\"Lembert Dome beyond Tuolumne River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lembert Dome beyond Tuolumne River<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7357.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7357.jpg\" alt=\"Lembert Dome\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lembert Dome<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Parsons Memorial Lodge was built by the Sierra Club in 1915 as a meeting house, described as John Muir&#8217;s favorite camping spot. Nowadays it&#8217;s a small museum housing some exhibits. A short walk away was Soda Springs, a mineral spring.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_134030.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_134030.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Parsons Memorial Lodge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Parsons Memorial Lodge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7363.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7363.jpg\" alt=\"Soda Springs\" \/><\/a><\/br>Soda Springs<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_134407.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_134407.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Soda Springs\" \/><\/a><\/br>Soda Springs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_134030.jpg\" alt=\"Parsons Memorial Lodge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7363.jpg\" alt=\"Soda Springs\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_134407.jpg\" alt=\"Soda Springs\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_134030.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_134030.jpg\" alt=\"Parsons Memorial Lodge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Parsons Memorial Lodge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7363.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7363.jpg\" alt=\"Soda Springs\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Soda Springs<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_134407.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_134407.jpg\" alt=\"Soda Springs\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Soda Springs<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>A short drive later, I reached Tioga Pass, the trailhead to Gaylor Peak. On paper, it&#8217;s a 3.5km out-and-back with 314m of elevation gain (2.2mi, 1000ft), a perfect filler to keep my body in shape between two strenuous day hikes. The route featured a steep section of switchbacks midway through, which, combined with the altitude, proved marginally demanding. Fortunately, it didn&#8217;t last long. Beyond the saddle point and leaving the established path, the &#8220;trail&#8221; to Gaylor Peak often became difficult to discern among the rocky terrain (particularly in the direction towards Gaylor Peak). Still, the direction toward Gaylor Peak remained straightforward throughout, so I oftentimes found myself picking my own path through the stones.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7408.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7408.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Tree with Twisted Trunk\" \/><\/a><\/br>Tree with Twisted Trunk<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_160712.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_160712.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_143416.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_143416.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_160441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_160441.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_143707.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_143707.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_143923.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_143923.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_150058.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_150058.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Gaylor Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Gaylor Peak<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7408.jpg\" alt=\"Tree with Twisted Trunk\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_160712.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_143416.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_160441.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_143707.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_143923.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_150058.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Gaylor Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7408.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7408.jpg\" alt=\"Tree with Twisted Trunk\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tree with Twisted Trunk<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_160712.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_160712.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_143416.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_143416.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_160441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_160441.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_143707.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_143707.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_143923.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_143923.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_150058.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_150058.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Gaylor Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Gaylor Peak<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Atop Gaylor Peak, I was greeted by the richest palette of colors I had encountered throughout the entire journey: russet rocks beneath my feet, golden fields in their early autumn hues dotted with sapphire alpine lakes, all interwoven with grey granite outcroppings beneath a cerulean sky scattered with white clouds. Though the trail to Gaylor Peak was relatively short, the rewards for completing it were nothing short of breathtaking.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7401.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7401.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains along Tioga Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains along Tioga Road<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7404.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7404.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains Surrounding Tioga Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains Surrounding Tioga Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_151852.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_151852.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Mountains along Tioga Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains along Tioga Road<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_150618.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_150618.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Peaks along Dana Meadows\" \/><\/a><\/br>Peaks along Dana Meadows<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7370.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7370.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Dana Meadows\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Dana Meadows<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7401.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains along Tioga Road\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7404.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains Surrounding Tioga Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_151852.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains along Tioga Road\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_150618.jpg\" alt=\"Peaks along Dana Meadows\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7370.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Dana Meadows\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the summit of Gaylor Peak.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7401.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7401.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains along Tioga Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains along Tioga Road<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7404.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7404.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains Surrounding Tioga Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains Surrounding Tioga Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_151852.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_151852.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains along Tioga Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains along Tioga Road<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_150618.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_150618.jpg\" alt=\"Peaks along Dana Meadows\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Peaks along Dana Meadows<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7370.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7370.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Dana Meadows\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Dana Meadows<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_151842.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_151842.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7381.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7381.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Gaylor Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Upper Gaylor Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7383.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7383.jpg\" alt=\"Alpine Lakes along Tioga Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Alpine Lakes along Tioga Road<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7373.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7373.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around Granite Lakes\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills around Granite Lakes<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7374.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7374.jpg\" alt=\"Middle Gaylor Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Middle Gaylor Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_151504.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_151504.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Middle Gaylor Lake and Distant Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Middle Gaylor Lake and Distant Mountains<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_151842.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7381.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Gaylor Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7383.jpg\" alt=\"Alpine Lakes along Tioga Road\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7373.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around Granite Lakes\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7374.jpg\" alt=\"Middle Gaylor Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_151504.jpg\" alt=\"Middle Gaylor Lake and Distant Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-7, #splide-thumb-7 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the summit of Gaylor Peak.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_151842.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_151842.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7381.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7381.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Gaylor Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Upper Gaylor Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7383.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7383.jpg\" alt=\"Alpine Lakes along Tioga Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Alpine Lakes along Tioga Road<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7373.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7373.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around Granite Lakes\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills around Granite Lakes<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7374.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7374.jpg\" alt=\"Middle Gaylor Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Middle Gaylor Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_151504.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_151504.jpg\" alt=\"Middle Gaylor Lake and Distant Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Middle Gaylor Lake and Distant Mountains<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The summit of Gaylor Peak was swept by brisk winds that afternoon, though fortunately, I still had my body heat from the ascent earlier. I didn&#8217;t linger long at the top, and the conditions remained entirely manageable. On the other hand, the wind had scoured away the haze of air pollution, unveiling the crystalline vistas that stretched out in every direction.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_144634.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_144634.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Mount Dana across Tioga Pass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Dana across Tioga Pass<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7376.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7376.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Dana\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Dana<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7377.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7377.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Gibbs\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Gibbs<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7400.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7400.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Excelsior Mountain to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Excelsior Mountain to the North<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Beyond Mine Shaft Pass<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7402.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7402.jpg\" alt=\"Tioga Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Tioga Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7403.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7403.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lee Vining Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7380.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7380.jpg\" alt=\"Mammoth Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mammoth Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7407C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7407C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_144634.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Dana across Tioga Pass\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7376.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Dana\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7377.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Gibbs\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7400.jpg\" alt=\"Excelsior Mountain to the North\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7402.jpg\" alt=\"Tioga Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7403.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7380.jpg\" alt=\"Mammoth Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7407C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-8, #splide-thumb-8 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the summit of Gaylor Peak.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_144634.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_144634.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Dana across Tioga Pass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Dana across Tioga Pass<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7376.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7376.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Dana\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Dana<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7377.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7377.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Gibbs\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Gibbs<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7400.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7400.jpg\" alt=\"Excelsior Mountain to the North\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Excelsior Mountain to the North<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Beyond Mine Shaft Pass<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7402.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7402.jpg\" alt=\"Tioga Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tioga Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7403.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7403.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lee Vining Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7380.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7380.jpg\" alt=\"Mammoth Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mammoth Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7407C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7407C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7384_DSC_7398-15.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7384_DSC_7398-15.jpg\" alt=\"Views from Gaylor Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Views from Gaylor Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In the end, I got back to Tioga Pass after 1 hour and 45 minutes on the trail, including 20 minutes spent at the top of Gaylor Peak. <\/p>\n<p>From Tioga Pass onward, CA120 descended through Lee Vining Canyon, which was an impressive gorge in its own right, as I recalled from driving through it the previous year. This time, with time on my side, I proceeded at a more leisurely pace and made several stops along the way.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7411.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7411.jpg\" alt=\"Tioga Lake before Tioga Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Tioga Lake before Tioga Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7410.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7410.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Cliffs\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rocky Cliffs<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_163429C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_163429C.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lee Vining Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7415.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7415.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lee Vining Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7416.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7416.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hill<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Part of Lee Vining Peak.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7421.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7421.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lee Vining Canyon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7411.jpg\" alt=\"Tioga Lake before Tioga Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7410.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Cliffs\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/20250904_163429C.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7415.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7416.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7421.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-9, #splide-thumb-9 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7411.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7411.jpg\" alt=\"Tioga Lake before Tioga Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tioga Lake before Tioga Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7410.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7410.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Cliffs\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rocky Cliffs<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904_163429C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/20250904_163429C.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lee Vining Canyon<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7415.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7415.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lee Vining Canyon<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7416.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7416.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hill<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Part of Lee Vining Peak.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/DSC_7421.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/04\/thumbnails\/DSC_7421.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Vining Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lee Vining Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Upon reaching Lee Vining, the remainder of the drive to Bridgeport was uneventful, with which I concluded the day.<br \/>\nEND<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The fourth day of my 2025 Labor Day trip to California. After yesterday&#8217;s protracted hike to Half Dome, I took it easy by embarking on a short hike to Gaylor Peak along my drive from Yosemite Valley to&#8230; <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/04\/20250904yosemite\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[677,2],"tags":[662],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10140"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10140"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10140\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10206,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10140\/revisions\/10206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10140"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10140"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10140"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}