The fading rays of sun on Half Dome at Yosemite National Park

Faint Rays on Half Dome
The fading rays of sun on Half Dome at Yosemite National Park
Faint Rays on Half Dome
View of Half Dome at Yosemite National Park from Glacier Point in the lingering rays of sun
Lingering Rays of Sun at Yosemite
Viewing from Glacier Point the golden rays of the setting sun basking Half Dome in Yosemite National Park
Golden Hour on Half Dome
At the head of the valley in Yosemite National Park, as if on a pedestal, stands Half Dome, the most colossal and recognizable rock monument in the Sierra Nevada, smoothly rounded on three sides and a sheer vertical face on the fourth. Half Dome, which stands nearly 8,800 feet above sea level, is composed of quartz monzonite, an igneous rock that solidified several thousand feet within the Earth. Half Dome, is the remains of a magma chamber that cooled slowly and crystallized beneath the Earth’s surface. The solidified magma chamber was then exposed and cut in half by erosion, therefore leading to the geographic name Half Dome.
The Half Face of a Mountain
One of the most recognized natural rocks in the world, Half Dome in Yosemite National Park is even more impressive up close when viewed from Glacier Point.
Half Dome may now be ascended in several different ways. Thousands of hikers reach the top each year by following an 8.5 mi (13.7 km) trail from the valley floor. After a rigorous 2 mi (3.2 km) approach, including several hundred feet of granite stairs, the final pitch up the peak’s steep but somewhat rounded east face is ascended with the aid of a pair of post-mounted braided steel cables.
A Closeup of Half Dome
Half Dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California. It is a well-known rock formation in the park, named for its distinct shape. One side is a sheer face while the other three sides are smooth and round, making it appear like a dome cut in half. The granite crest rises more than 4,737 ft (1,444 m) above the valley floor and stands nearly 8,800 feet above sea level
Half Dome as viewed from Glacier Point (approximately 7,200 feet height).
Eye Level View of Half Dome
Glacier Point is a viewpoint above Yosemite Valley in California. It is located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 7,214 feet (2,199 m). The point offers a superb view of several of Yosemite National Park’s well-known landmarks including Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and Clouds Rest.
Glacier Point Perspective
An early morning hazy, naturally-framed, profile of Half Dome from the Yosemite Valley
Half Dome Framed
A closer view of Half Dome framed by granite mountains in Yosemite National Park
Framed by Mountains
Back to a series of images from United States. One of the most recognized natural landscape images – entrance to the valley in Yosemite National Park in California. The iconic Half Dome sandwiched between El Capitan on the left and Bridalveil Fall on the right.
Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, lakes, mountains, glaciers, and biological diversity. Almost 95% of the park is designated wilderness.
The name “Yosemite” (meaning “killer” in Miwok) originally referred to the name of a renegade tribe which was driven out of the area (and possibly annihilated) by the Mariposa Battalion. Before then the area was called “Ahwahnee” (“big mouth”) by indigenous people.
Yosemite Valley Entrance
Patience pays off. After 30 minutes of waiting, the bird was finally still so that I could capture this photo.