July 20 - Heading to Yosemite!

Today is the start of my 2 week vacation. One week is in the Eastern Sierra including Yosemite. Goal is to hike the 2 trails I wanted to last year when my trip was cut short.

Flight to Reno was quick and uneventful and arriving on time; just before 9am. Based on last year, I figure it would take around 2 hours to get my luggage and rental car which is fine because it's Sunday, I'm sure I'm not going to find a parking spot at any trailhead today.

But happily, the luggage popped out quickly (and mine was in the 1st 10 bags)! And the rental car was a breeze. Booked Alamo this year and they gave me my keys and I was gone - so unlike last year.

I'm really early and I'll be killing time all day until my check-in at 4pm. First spot is Walmart to get all my groceries, cooler, bug spray, etc. Still early for lunch so I keep driving.

I pass thru the town that was horrible to get thru last year due to road construction. Yea, construction is complete but at 10:50, is anyone serving lunch. I see Burger King but I don't know. There's a Subway across the street; they have lunch. Awesome! Glad I stopped because there's nothing for at least another hour. Everything is working out perfect!

To kill time (and to hopefully see some bflies), I head up toward Sonoran Pass. Drove this last year and it's an incredible drive - steep, winding, incredible views!

I reach the summit and this year, find the parking around the corner. Lots of flowers I walk thru but I only see one yellow flyer. :(

I find Mariposa Lily!

But the views are awesome!!

And I see two Behr Hairstreaks chasing each other.

The parking lot is a trailhead for going higher but not for me today.

I continue on hoping to reach that campground from last year but I stop short. Lots of car and slow going; guess everyone is heading back home. I do stop that the rest area from last year but everything is so dry. I do manage to see a very beaten Edith Copper. Oh, a Mourning Cloak outside the bathrooms.

Time to finally head to Lee Vining even though it's still early. Guess I'll head up to Ellery Lake just before Yosemite and walk the Nature Trail (had great butterflies 10+ years ago) and perhaps the entrance to the Bettington Trail.

What a great drive up to the Yosemite Entrance!

I do stop at the Nature Trail. It's beautiful and quiet as I'm the only one there. Again very dry and not many flowers.

I see a couple of dragonflies (this one is a 4 spotted skimmer)


and blue damselflies but 0 butterflies. :(

I continue up to Ellery Lake pull-out.

Then it's time to turn around. I stop at the rest area (with potties) which also serves at a trail head to Glacier Hike and the Bettington trail. I know where I get to start - yea!

Then it's just a drive to my hotel at June Lake (June Lake Villager). I so like this hotel better than the one I stayed at last year. I'm tired - long day but I have to go to Mammoth to obtain breakfast for the next few. Might as well grab supper too. 

And I've gone thru more than a 1/2 a tank of gas. Since I don't want to go back to Mammoth until Wed, I get gas too.

Then finally back to the hotel, get myself organized and crash. Saddlebag Lake tomorrow; I'm excited!!

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