News is 24/7, 365, just like many other professions. We don’t have holidays off, along with first responders, hospital staff, and some retailers. For me, that’s OK. I live clear across the country from my family, so I don’t have any “obligations.” As an introvert, I sometimes prefer a quiet holiday alone or at work with a thinner staff, while others are caught up in big gatherings.

The plus side of having a holiday fall on my regular day off with family clear across the country is that national parks can be a little quieter. I took full advantage of this and headed to Yosemite. It was the last weekend that the first 6 miles of Glacier Point Rd. would be open for winter play, and I wanted to snowshoe to Dewey Point before the season ended.

I was supposed to have company on this snowshoe and get an early start, but I couldn’t get a hold of them. I decided to take my time eating breakfast and getting ready, and if they didn’t return my calls by 8 AM, I’d head out solo. Off I went!

At the park entrance, I asked the ranger about the conditions. It had been warm recently, and there hadn’t been any new snowfall. She didn’t know how slushy it was, but I figured it was worth a try. I’d just hike if it was nasty.

The roads were completely dry all the way to the parking lot. I was putting my daypack together when the gentleman parked next to me introduced himself. He was also from Fresno, and as it turned out, his cross country ski companion was also a no-show!

There was snow on the ground out of the parking lot, but it was a little thin. It was still chilly, so the snow was like crusty ice. I didn’t even put my snowshoes on.

Melting snow

There’s a turn-off into the woods at a pit toilet. What a great trailmarker. I STILL didn’t have to put my snowshoes on as I headed toward the Valley overlook.

I ended up leap-frogging with my new friend throughout the trail to Dewey Point. I’d catch him on the uphills, he’d pass me again on the flat areas and downhills.

Finally, about .5 miles from Dewey Point, I stated sinking into the snow. Snowshoe time!

I made it to the overlook. It’s such a cool vantage point. You’re directly across from El Capitan, and Half Dome is just a small granite figure in the distance.

Can you find Half Dome?

I sat down, had a snack, and relaxed.

I spent about an hour at Dewey Point enjoying the sunshine. My new friend left to trek back to his car, and only one other couple showed up. It was so quiet.

Dewey Point

El Capitan and Ribbon Fall

I love looking over Yosemite Valley. You can see all the cars and specks of tourists. You know it’s loud down there and buzzing with honking horns, talking people, and shrieking children. To observe all that from above in silence, just a few thousand feet away, is really something else. I feel like I’ve discovered a secret spot in one of America’s most popular parks that 99% of travelers will never experience.

I started to feel a little sunburned (thank you to my new friend who had given me some sunscreen earlier), which signaled that it was time to go.

No comment.

I put my snowshoes on, and I actually kept them on for the entire hike back. The snow had become slushy as the day warmed.

I made it back to my car feeling refreshed. There were more cars parked there than when I first arrived. Groups of friends were hanging out, playing music, and eating Easter lunch out of the back of their cars. It was a really cool scene.

By the way, my partner finally got in touch with me. He overslept and spent the morning doing laundry and adult tasks. He was very apologetic for missing the trip, but I was the one who felt sorry for him. I think my day won! 😈