Day 2- Sun and The Loop

12/29/15  Our second day in the Valley brought clear skies and postcard perfect conditions. Fresh snow in the trees with bright sun and not a cloud in the sky. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
DSC03118 Half Dome against the dawn sky. We hadn't been able to get pictures of the iconic spots around the Valley loop the previous day because of low visibility in the...
Half Dome against the dawn sky. We hadn't been able to get pictures of the iconic spots around the Valley loop the previous day because of low visibility in the…
DSC03122 Yosemite Fall from Curry Village in the morning light. Evidently the mist freezes as its coming over the fall and creates a plume of snow against the cliff...
Yosemite Fall from Curry Village in the morning light. Evidently the mist freezes as its coming over the fall and creates a plume of snow against the cliff…
DSC03132 Getting ready to leave our luxurios tent cabin. Neither of us got much sleep at all, but it was well worth it for the perfect weather today. Normally we...
Getting ready to leave our luxurios tent cabin. Neither of us got much sleep at all, but it was well worth it for the perfect weather today. Normally we…
DSC03146b Half Dome later in the morning with the sun just starting to hit the back of the dome.
Half Dome later in the morning with the sun just starting to hit the back of the dome.
DSC03149 A snow-capped North Dome with Washington Column and the Royal Arches below.
A snow-capped North Dome with Washington Column and the Royal Arches below.
DSC03151 Frost on the car windows. It was 15 degrees and dry as we left Curry Village. Evidently good conditions for some fascinating ice crystals.
Frost on the car windows. It was 15 degrees and dry as we left Curry Village. Evidently good conditions for some fascinating ice crystals.
DSC03152 North Dome above the Merced River.
North Dome above the Merced River.
DSC03158 The Merced River as calm as I've ever seen it. Making for some great reflections together with the intermittent patches of ice.
The Merced River as calm as I've ever seen it. Making for some great reflections together with the intermittent patches of ice.
DSC03162 Upper Yosemite Fall from the Valley Loop.
Upper Yosemite Fall from the Valley Loop.
DSC03167b Half Dome from further West around the loop.
Half Dome from further West around the loop.
DSC03174 The full Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls from the path to the base of the falls. At a total of 2,425', the full Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls...
The full Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls from the path to the base of the falls. At a total of 2,425', the full Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls…
DSC03178 Lower Yosemite Fall from the footbridge.
Lower Yosemite Fall from the footbridge.
DSC03190 El Capitan. A much clearer view than the day before.
El Capitan. A much clearer view than the day before.
DSC03196 Dad's car dwarfed by the towering El Capitan. With its 3,000' face, it's one of the largest rock monoliths in the world.
Dad's car dwarfed by the towering El Capitan. With its 3,000' face, it's one of the largest rock monoliths in the world.
DSC03197 Coyote walking along the road.
Coyote walking along the road.
DSC03248 Black crow against the snow. We saw these big crows all over the Valley.
Black crow against the snow. We saw these big crows all over the Valley.
DSC03209b Inspiration Point. One of the most iconic outdoor pictures in the world. There's light snow on the valley floor at about 3,500', heavier snow on the rim at...
Inspiration Point. One of the most iconic outdoor pictures in the world. There's light snow on the valley floor at about 3,500', heavier snow on the rim at…
DSC03217b Dad and I at Inspiration Point. Technically, it's called the Tunnel View at the end of the Wawona Tunnel, which is below the actual Inspiration Point.
Dad and I at Inspiration Point. Technically, it's called the Tunnel View at the end of the Wawona Tunnel, which is below the actual Inspiration Point.
DSC03218 Dad taking in the view.
Dad taking in the view.
DSC03225 Back down to the Valley floor. Here's El Captian with Ribbon Fall to the left. There must have been at least a little water flowing over the normally dry fall...
Back down to the Valley floor. Here's El Captian with Ribbon Fall to the left. There must have been at least a little water flowing over the normally dry fall…