California

Yosemite Valley after the first snow: tranquil, wild

Fresno Bee Staff

Yosemite Valley after the first snow is a different place than during the hectic summer months: the pace slows, the air grows still.

This week, a coyote visited a meadow in search of small prey.

Massachusetts native Jasmine Scalli was making her first visit to Yosemite. She grew up on the East Coast and is now living in San Diego, so her time in the snow allowed a chance to “get a little bit of feel of that winter.”

Plus, she noted that the trees reminded her of her time in college in New Hampshire. “This is a little home away from home.”

Massachusetts native Jasmine Scalli, now of San Diego, right, with friends Marie Foltier, left, and Anne Pervier, center, both of France, all on their first visit to Yosemite, have fun building a snowman in front of the chapel in Yosemite Valley, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018.
Massachusetts native Jasmine Scalli, now of San Diego, right, with friends Marie Foltier, left, and Anne Pervier, center, both of France, all on their first visit to Yosemite, have fun building a snowman in front of the chapel in Yosemite Valley, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com
The Merced River creates a wintery scene as it lazily flows through Yosemite Valley past landmarks El Capitan, left, and Bridal Veil Falls, right center, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018.
The Merced River creates a wintery scene as it lazily flows through Yosemite Valley past landmarks El Capitan, left, and Bridal Veil Falls, right center, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com
Tourists walk on ice as they approach the Lower Yosemite Falls, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018.
Tourists walk on ice as they approach the Lower Yosemite Falls, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com
Half Dome and surrounding peaks loom over Yosemite Valley shrouded in snow, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018.
Half Dome and surrounding peaks loom over Yosemite Valley shrouded in snow, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com

This story was originally published December 7, 2018 at 10:21 AM with the headline "Yosemite Valley after the first snow: tranquil, wild."

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