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It’s Cooking at Cook’s

Sunrise, Cook’s Meadow, Yosemite NP (10/20/20) Elliot McGucken

Cook’s Meadow in Yosemite Valley was once trampled by hotel-owner John J. Cook’s cattle (1881-87). Today, only bear, deer, coyote and an occasional bobcat might be seen there. The cattle left in the 1920s.

Elliot McGucken was there yesterday to catch the sunrise and be greeted by an American black bear. A wisp of smoke from the Creek Fire (to the south) is evident in his pictures, and the sun’s rays glowed golden as they passed through it.

Black oak, Cook’s Meadow and Half Dome, Yosemite Valley (10/20/20) Elliot McGucken

Bear are common valley residents and more of them have been seen foraging the valley in the months since Covid-19 pandemic restrictions first reduced park visitation.

The 2.25-mile hike through Sentinel and Cook’s meadows is one of the most popular in the national park. Wooden boardwalks float over the meadows to contain foot traffic and keep the boggy meadows from being compacted.

The route includes breathtaking views of Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Rock and Half Dome. In the coming weeks, black oak and California cottonwood will turn orange and yellow. Some sign of the change is seen in Cook’s meadow’s signature black oak seen above.

  • American black bear, Cook’s Meadow (10/20/20) Elliot McGucken
  • Mule deer, Merced River (10/20/20) Elliot McGucken
Sentinel Rock, Bigleaf maple, Pacific dogwood, Yosemite Valley (10/20/20) Elliot McGucken

Yellow bigleaf maple and rosy Pacific dogwood remain at peak in the valley, though most are now Past Peak. Fern Spring at the entrance to Yosemite Valley is Past Peak, though yellow and orange-red leaves in its dark waters will continue to be photographed ’til the end of October.

El Capitan and the Merced River, Gates of the Valley, Yosemite NP (10/20/20) Elliot McGucken

Admission to Yosemite Valley is available to those with day-use, in-park lodging and camping reservations and for wilderness or Half Dome permits. The requirement to obtain a day-use reservation will end on Nov. 1. Passage through the national park over the Tioga Road (continuation of CA-120) requires a reservation.

  • Fern Spring, Yosemite Valley (4,000′) – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, You Almost Missed It.
  • Pioneer Sugar Maple, Yosemite Chapel (4,000′) – Past Peak, You Missed It.
  • Cook’s and Sentinel Meadows, Yosemite Valley (4,000′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Yosemite’s black oak will continue to improve though mid November.
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