From Olmsted Point, Mel and I continue west past the junction to White Wolf and soon drive by a small turnout on the south side of Tioga Road. There is no apparent reason for the turnout so we continue driving. A few seconds later, a glance to the left makes it immediately apparent why the turnout is there and we make a hasty u-turn and head back to explore tiny Siesta Lake.
The turnout does not provide a clue to what lies a few seconds beyond.
To call it a lake seems a bit of a stretch. It is more a swamp with a pond in the middle. It is also undeniably beautiful and begs to be explored by navigating the intermittent and often wet trail around Siesta Lake’s periphery.
The reflective, still water creates captivating images of fresh, natural form within the silence of fragrant, evergreen, treed borders. Tiny insects flirt with the tension of the water’s surface and well-hidden birds pleasantly interrupt the silence. This is a very beautiful place where it is overwhelmingly tempting to sit, relax and bond with the natural perfection and simplicity.
There is insufficient time to fully appreciate the experience of Siesta Lake. Both the Yosemite National Park Service Map and the more detailed National Geographical Yosemite Trails Illustrated Topographical Map indicate a smaller lake a short distance further south but we do not explore beyond the Tioga Roadside attraction. There is still a lot of driving to do. Mel and I continue to drive west on Tioga Road to Crane Flat then south past beautiful Hodgdon Meadow on the twisting, turning and historically significant Big Oak Flat Road that descends towards the entrance to Yosemite Valley. The valley is hazy with smoke from managed burns.
The descent on Winona Road into Yosemite Valley made hazy by managed burns.
The spectacular road passes through two tunnels on the way into Yosemite Valley. We will cross the Pohono Bridge and skirt past the entrance for the lofty Bridalveil Fall and onto Wawona Road. Soon we will navigate the longest tunnel in Yosemite National Park before continuing south past Wawona Lodge and the park exit onto Hwy 41 in search of accommodation.
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Your camera lens has definitely caught the mood of Siesta Lake!
It is a tiny little place in the middle of nowhere with roadside access. I suspect many people just pass it by. If you blink or happen to be looking the other way, it could easily be missed. The tiny lake has a special feel about it, a perfect calm and the reeds near shoreline meet tree reflections from the other side. It seemed like a special place to me. Thank you for your comment, Helen. Winter is bearing down in Calgary. I would have no problem with enjoying the long, hot days of your Australian summer.
I’m glad you didn’t blink!
Thankfully the long hot summer days have been tardy in their arrival this year. I have not enjoyed this week’s humidity and temperatures hitting 30c. April seems a long way away. Give me cold, but then I have no concept of your cold! Fortunately in the past month, we managed to do lots of wonderful walking without the sweat trying to drown us.
I meant to add – “Jill Outside” has an amazing blog and photography of Zion National Park. Have you trekked there?
Thank you for your comment, Helen. Siesta Lake is an excellent place offering nearly transcendental peace and beauty. An auspicious oasis of personal reflection.
Thank you for the reference to “Jill Outside“, a younger generation of my kind of person. I will allocate more time to review her experience in Zion National Park. I have picked up her blog address and Twitter feed. Looks very good with motivations similar to my own.
To answer your question. I have been through Zion many times. It is unquestionably a unique and spectacular park. I have done no more than cursory hiking in transit. For thirty years of hiking in the American Southwest, I usually stage from Panguich, Utah for extensive hiking in places like Red Canyon and Bryce, Cedar Breaks, etc. on my way to the Grand Canyon. Zion seems to always be on the way home. It is on my list to hike a specific mission in Zion National Park. So much to do and so little time.
This looks like a beautiful and interesting area. From the photos, I wouldn’t have guessed California, though – more what I would expect in Canada.
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That is an interesting observation which had not previously crossed my mind. And, you are right. The high altitude Sierra Nevada country contains many features reminiscent of Canada, albeit in a somewhat different structure. Dropping into Yosemite Valley creates a remarkable change in terrain. To the west is the more familiar California as we know and love it. The form and amount of granite is unique to Yosemite in my experience. I was surprised to find oak, maple and cedar trees along the Outer Loop in Mariposa Grove. It was a flashback to living in Southern Ontario near the Great Lakes. Thanks for your comment, Sophie. Love your blog.
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