Flying Over "Winterlike" Tioga

Happy New Year 2025! 

Again, not trying to fool anyone. This was taken during the spring of 2024. It was obviously not winter, but I doubt very seriously I will ever get to my favorite lake when I was a kid during the heart of winter. So, this is probably the closest I will get to that experience.

With that said, I am sharing some of my drone pictures. So, looking toward Yosemite:

Another look toward Yosemite with Mt. Dana on the high point on the upper left:

Another shot nearby:

Then finally, looking back across the lake the other way:

Obviously, a lot more dry looking that way. However, you could not get really far going to the areas like Saddlebag Lake at that time. Right after this I did fly again at Ellery Lake. Not sure I am going to show any of that. I will think about it.

I'll link the drone flight below. Usually, I like to make my drone flights sound relaxing. This is no exception.

Okay! So, the last two blogs and videos were just me popping in and out of hiatus. I have thought about it, and I might do a "State of the Blog" in a few weeks before I get lost for some time. 

Flying Over "Winterlike" Tioga (Youtube Video)

Winter, Spring, or Summer?

(GPS: N37°55.760 W119°15.200)

So last week Tioga Pass finally opened up, and I decided to visit. The High Sierra had an overwhelming snowpack over the winter and spring that had not been seen in quite some time. It was very strange seeing Tioga Lake like this. It had me wondering what season I was in.

I had never seen Tioga Lake with ice on it in person. That is something just legendary you see in pictures of people ice skating around Christmas time, but it doesn't seem real. Seeing this in person was different for me to say the least.

With the positive end of a drought that everyone wanted in California we have to remember that nature does not play by fair rules. There were some negative consequences of such an overwhelming snowpack in that there were some damages to places that will need repairs. Some people that hope to have their business running by this time of the year will still be closed until much later in the season. A lot of money is lost in both situations.

The waterfall drop from Ellery Lake at Tioga Pass:

Tioga Pass is such an epic place:


Winter, Spring, or Summer? (YouTube Video)

Be sure to read this article on the damage done to Tioga Pass Resort.

The music used in video from Incompech.com is called Silver Blue Light.

The Heavenly Silent Tioga Pass

Merry Christmas!

For today, I wanted to put this video of my drive up Tioga Pass during the summer. Tioga Pass leads one into the eastern side of Yosemite. One must drive up about 3,000 ft. to get to the elelvation of a little less than 10,000. I have memories of my dad driving me up and down this road as a kid. Sometimes it would scare me looking off the side of the road and seeing this big drop off below. I was always worried about the car having a problem and going off the side.

While driving up the pass by itself is usually fun on a sunny day, the conditions on the day I did this were rather "heavenly." I was not sure what I wanted to call this video...the road to heaven...the presence of God...entering the clouds...Tioga Pass. In any case, I sped up the video a bit so everyone looks like they are driving a little faster than people normally do.

Some other time I will talk more about Tioga Pass, but I think you will like this video:

The Heavenly Silent Tioga Pass (Youtube Version)

And while I am thinking about it, being Christmas and all, if you are in the mood you can relive last years Christmas series HERE.