Great drive! I would have never guessed (with my limited knowledge of US geography) that this was in California - it gives off some serious Oregon/Washington vibes. Re the fires, I hope that the forest would be able to regenerate soon - we had some real nasty bushfires here in Australia a couple years ago, but the vegetation is back to 100% now, hopefully Yosemite can recover quickly too! 🥰
The increased elevation (and cooler climate plus higher precipitation) definitely allows for vegetation more typical of lower-elevation areas further north, like Oregon or Washington. Of course, not all the flora is identical, considering that (for example) giant sequoias are unique to the Sierra Nevada.
100s of millions of years of tectonic forces created the landscape out here and it continues as we speak. In my adult life I've always lived either in or near the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges precisely because of their majestic beauty, foliage and climate. I'm especially enamored with the _eastern_ Sierra and the Sierra crest; two of my favorite spots are the Owens Valley and Long Valley, including Mammoth Lakes. Mammoth Mountain and the area around it embody the best of both worlds -- stark and imposing majesty in size and composition, and that alpine climate and foliage. In all my travels along and in the Sierra Nevada I have yet to hit Hwy 120 -- and that's on my bucket list, to take CA 120 from the foothills over Tioga Pass and into Lee Vining. The difference in geology in that 80-mile stretch, as well as the landscape and climate, to me are just spellbinding; and I want to take in the entire experience along that road -- hitting all the "high points" (no pun intended): Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Half Dome, Tuolumne Meadows, and Tioga Pass. I will have died and gone to heaven -- and why not? It's God's country.
![[4K] New Priest Grade road on CA 120. to Yosemite National Park. steep grade & sharp curves](/img/n.gif)
Great drive! I would have never guessed (with my limited knowledge of US geography) that this was in California - it gives off some serious Oregon/Washington vibes. Re the fires, I hope that the forest would be able to regenerate soon - we had some real nasty bushfires here in Australia a couple years ago, but the vegetation is back to 100% now, hopefully Yosemite can recover quickly too! 🥰
The increased elevation (and cooler climate plus higher precipitation) definitely allows for vegetation more typical of lower-elevation areas further north, like Oregon or Washington. Of course, not all the flora is identical, considering that (for example) giant sequoias are unique to the Sierra Nevada.
I loved Yosemite but I also loved the area around, I swear Western part of USA is the most beautiful place ever. I dont care what people say.
100s of millions of years of tectonic forces created the landscape out here and it continues as we speak. In my adult life I've always lived either in or near the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges precisely because of their majestic beauty, foliage and climate. I'm especially enamored with the _eastern_ Sierra and the Sierra crest; two of my favorite spots are the Owens Valley and Long Valley, including Mammoth Lakes. Mammoth Mountain and the area around it embody the best of both worlds -- stark and imposing majesty in size and composition, and that alpine climate and foliage.
In all my travels along and in the Sierra Nevada I have yet to hit Hwy 120 -- and that's on my bucket list, to take CA 120 from the foothills over Tioga Pass and into Lee Vining. The difference in geology in that 80-mile stretch, as well as the landscape and climate, to me are just spellbinding; and I want to take in the entire experience along that road -- hitting all the "high points" (no pun intended): Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Half Dome, Tuolumne Meadows, and Tioga Pass. I will have died and gone to heaven -- and why not? It's God's country.
@@briane173 lucky you, you live there. I'm from Germany and really think about moving... I mean you only live once...
❤ABSOLUTELY 💯 ❤️
Very scenic drive despite the signs of forest fires from yesteryear. I know the drive inside of Yosemite National Park will be even more scenic!
Person who i scared of hig cliffs and heights- this is a good video to make that shows the drive is decent ;-)
I was wondering when you'd mention fire damage now that you're in the Sierras. :(
MOST OF THESE WILDFIRES WERE STARTED BY DIRECT ENERGY WEAPONS... FACT❤
Isn’t this section supposed to be curvey and steep?
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