FALL COLORS

On the way to Lee Vining from Bridgeport

Mono Lake and the High Sierras

DATE:  Sat, Oct. 15, 2011
HOME: Lee Vining, Ca   Lake View Lodge
DISTANCE: 25 miles
ALTITUDE: 2000 ft
WEATHER: Perfect
NARRATIVE: 
What a difference a day – or rather, a good rest – makes!  The fact that our ride is only 25 miles to Lee Vining so we can take our time and enjoy the views, which were SPECTACULAR! 

Fall in the Sierras – a spectacular scene of colors from the Aspens – and something we had never really considered.  But, the display of colors with the snow capped Sierras in the background was simply gorgeous.  At the top of Conway Summit we have displayed before us the High Sierras, and around a corner Mono Lake and the descent to Lee Vining. 

This has to be our best ride yet. 

We are both feeling good about the next few days, also.  Everything at Tuolomne Meadows is closed, we heard nothing from my favorite resort (Tioga Pass Resort) so we assume they are also closed, and it’s dropping below freezing so we don’t want to camp.  We considered going the whole distance in one day to the Valley, but that’s 82 miles so decided against it.  Our plan D, or was it E was to get a taxi to Ellery Lake then ride the rest.  That’s our plan tomorrow, then two nights at the Ahwahnee.  We are really looking forward to this “vacation within a vacation” in Yosemite.

Now it’s to dinner at the only restaurant in Lee Vining – Nicely’s.  We have a fondness for Nicely’s, not because of good food, but because we have been there so many times over the past 35 years.