The Sierra Mountains

The Sierra mountains are beautiful.  The Stanislaus National Forest is scenic.  The Yosemite National Park with its noisy rivers and tributaries is stunning.  These are some of the country's and perhaps the world's most scenic places.  The old growth trees stand in some of the largest tracts in the country.  These places are precious.  See them as soon as you can.  Return to them if you are able.

Their brave beauty work

Yosemite Plants - Road from Arch Rock Station

Having read John Muir and learned John Muir one hears Muir's descriptions when walking the trails of Yosemite.

The radiance in some places is so great as to be fairly dazzling, keen lance-rays of every color flashing, sparkling in glorious abundance, joining the plants in their fine, brave beauty-work, every flower, every crystal, a window opening into heaven, a mirror reflecting the Creator.

 

 

 

John Muir

Much of the forest, perhaps the majority of the forest is old growth forest.  To visit Yosemite is to visit a Xanadu of protected old growth forest.  Though the trees are protected from cutting they still may be damaged by drought, insects, and blights. Though the sequoias get the attention the sugar pines grow in many more parts of the mountains and valleys of the Sierra Nevada mountains.   The sugar pines are so appealing you want to look at them. 


 

The Forests of the Sierra Nevada

Blackened tree Yosemite NP Between Big Oak Flat Info Center and Entrance to Yosemite Valley, Big Oak Flat Road

One sees the evidence of recent fires all around.  The forest composition changes with elevation.  Incense cedars are seen in much of the Sierra Nevada forest.