Day 12 has concluded in Mammoth Lakes, CA after 278 miles.

We entered Yosemite from the west on 120.  We then took 140 or El Portal out of the park and headed south to come back into the park on 41 or Wawona to the main area of the park to drive “through” the rest of the park.  After seeing El Capitan and Half Dome we left the park on 120 or Tioga Pass road.  Due to the smoke the park was closed to recreational use.  You could drive “through” though.  At the end of the road at the main park village a nice volunteer ranger asked us if we were lost.  Nope, heading to Tioga pass road.  She then reminded us that the park was closed but seeing how we were “driving through” to enjoy what we could see.  We saw a small bear and a bobcat with dinner out of its mouth.  Even though we could not do any walking the park was also empty, If we saw 100 cars that would be an overstatement.  We were able to stop at any pull out on either side of the road at will.  Even stop in the middle of the lane to snap pictures.  It was that empty.

Earlier in the day we were stopped by the CHP.  Seems we should have waited longer for a red light on a one lane road.  She met us as the legal ones were driving by.  I think the fact were going in the opposite direction might have saved us a ticket.  Oops.

Oops

El Capitan

Half Dme

Bear

Bobcat

Control Burn Fires

Half Dome