Waking up in Bishop, California we headed out the door early on our way up CA 395 to try and get through Yosemite National Park. Unfortunately winter had beat us to the punch as Tioga Pass was already closed cutting off the majority of the park from the eastern entrance. On our way back down we stopped through Mammoth trying to catch a glimpse of Devil’s Postpile and again the icy hands of winter were ahead of us. The plan at this point was to head to Bakersfield and cross over the range heading back to the western edge of the mountains and into the park near Fresno. However time caught up with us. As we reached Red Rock Canyon State Park to the north of Bakersfield, the sun was starting to set. We took a short detour into the park to check out our rental’s four wheeled drive capability and grab some photos. This is when the wind picked up. Close to 40 mph gusts made the end of the day interesting where trying to walk back to the Explorer felt like walking in Chicago in the winter; leaning into the wind to try and stay put while focusing on the Red Cliffs section of the park. An executive decision had to be made as we watched a sand storm pick up across the canyon. Instead of taking a 400 mile detour back up to Yosemite we have decided to take a more southern route. We headed to Los Angeles to spend the evening with my sister and her still semi-new family. Tomorrow we head for Joshua Tree.
Snow covers the mountain range leading into Yosemite National Park on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Snow covers the mountains at Yosemite National Park effectively blocking the Tioga Pass on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
A large boulder lays on the side of the road leading to Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Snow covers the mountains at Yosemite National Park effectively blocking the Tioga Pass on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Snow covers the mountains at Yosemite National Park effectively blocking the Tioga Pass on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Rocks and flowers litter the road leading into Yosemite National Park on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Flowers litter the road leading into Yosemite National Park on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
A view of Mono Lake from the entrance into Yosemite National Park on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Richard Phillips photographs parts of Yosemite National Park on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Yosemite National Park off of 395 in California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
A shack sits in the shadow of Yosemite National Park off of 395 on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
A shack sits in the shadow of Yosemite National Park off of 395 on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
A shack sits in the shadow of Yosemite National Park off of 395 on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Yosemite National Park off of 395 in California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Red Rock Canyon State Park in California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Red Rock Canyon State Park in California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Red Rock Canyon State Park in California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Taking a break from off roading at Red Rock Canyon on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Red Rock Canyon State Park in California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
The Red Cliffs at Red Rock Canyon in California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
The Red Cliffs at Red Rock Canyon in California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
The Red Cliffs at Red Rock Canyon in California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Richard Phillips photographs parts of Red Rock Canyon State Park on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
The Red Cliffs at Red Rock Canyon in California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
The Red Cliffs at Red Rock Canyon in California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Sand whips through the Red Cliffs at Red Rock Canyon State Park as gusts of wind upwards of 40 mph blow on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
The sun sets as we pass through Mojave, California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
The sun sets as we pass through Mojave, California on Saturday, February 25, 2012.