During frequent trips into, and out of, the east end of Yosemite Valley, Mel and I routinely pass an impressive stone structure reminiscent of a church. On the day we complete our hike of the Merced River Canyon, for close views of Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall in the ‘Grand Staircase’, we decide to stop and learn more about this building called LeConte Memorial Lodge. It is located on the extension of Southside Drive near Curry Village, 3,200 ft (975.4 m) beneath Glacier Point at the east end of Yosemite Valley.
This stone meeting place honors Joseph LeConte who was a founding member of the Sierra Club and a pioneer in the development and protection of Yosemite National Park.
Unfortunately, the building is closed when Mel and I arrive but we take a few minutes to do a brief walking tour around the historic, Y-shaped building.
You can learn more about Joseph LeConte, his relationship with the Sierra Club and the early days of Yosemite National Park in California, USA by accessing the links in this brief post. The LeConte Memorial Lodge is a National Historic Site.
Free subscription to Hiking With Barry
Great job on all your pictures and comments… makes it all worthwhile to read what we did on the Yosemite trip… Loved this trip and looking forward to next… We are lucky to have each other as hiking partners… loved your comment on the detour and stopping to take pictures on the return from Mirror Lake… Hmmm, what was I really thinking…
Thank you for your comment, Mel. Good to here from you. Yes, we have enjoyed excellent hiking experiences together in Arizona’s Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park, Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park, Montana’s Glacier National Park and most recently, Yosemite National Park in California. These specific missions have special features which compare favorably to the wonder of the wilderness in Alberta, Canada where we enjoy our own mountains and river valleys. A good hiking partner is a treasure and we have proven many times we can work well together. Each person’s formula is different.
As for what you were really thinking, it is likely best we should hold that back from the civilized portion of the population.
Pingback: Yosemite National Park Trip Epilogue - Hiking California