From the blog
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If I could transport myself anywhere on Earth when I need to feel peace, it would be here on North Dome watching the sunrise in complete silence except for my boots crunching on the granite.
The North Dome Beautiful Places episode was one of my favorite to film because the trip started with a great little hike through the trees off the Tioga Road and up to a great overlook where I ate lunch. There were others on the trail, so I thought I would find quite a few people on the Dome. On the way there, the clouds came in and the sound of thunder could be heard far away but getting closer all the time. I was going to visit Indian Rock, but decided I needed to get to North Dome ASAP and make camp. I hoofed it hard and ended up running down the trail to the dome, keeping off the top and to the side. The thunder and lighting was in the air and I had to quickly find a safe spot off the dome and under a couple trees. I set up my tent and got in only minutes before a downpour started. The thunder and lightning was scary but I took a bit of a nap. I did pop out of the tent to get some shots and record the thunder.
When the rain stopped and I woke up, the air was cool and clear and Half Dome was all wet. Tiny streams with little waterfalls could be seen all over the face of Clouds Rest. The sky cleared and I had North Dome all to my self! I packed up my tent and moved onto North Dome and the most perfect camping place ever. Under a tree with some fallen trees surrounding in a little square where I could stay out of the wind.
That evening I set up my camera and sat on the top most part of the dome and watched the sunset. North Dome pushes out into Yosemite Valley in a way that creates about 250 degrees of view down into the Valley below. Half Dome is right across with the face looking right at you. Truly, it is the greatest view in and around Yosemite Valley.
I stayed on the dome well after the sky turned purple and then black to watch the stars slowly appear. The clear sky and moonless sky allowed the Milky Way to shine brightly. It was perfect. I went back to camp and made a little dinner. Then, I went to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up before sunrise as usual and went back to my same place and watched the sun rise behind Clouds Rest and Half Dome. The colors were stunning and I just took picture after picture and filmed everything I could. I did some climbing around the dome and found some pools of water in the granite that I was able to pump and purify. I filled my bottles with North Dome granite water. There can be no better water on the planet.
I made some oatmeal and coffee, my usual breakfast, and packed up for the trip back. I stopped off at Indian Rock on the way back.
It was a perfect trip.
Tony
North Dome Show