Storm Clearing from Tioga Lake

Two miles from Yosemite's eastern enterance, Tioga Lake is a gem of the Sierra. A storm that lasted the entire weekend is starting to finally clear up; you can see rainclouds lingering in the corners of the frame and around the mountains in the background. After spending two nights camped in the rain and snow, crossing the park by day with dark, ominous clouds lingering overhead, these spots of blue were all the more impressive. The break in the weather lasted long enough for me to capture this and one other photo from Tioga Pass.

Inyo National Forest is fed by rain and snowmelt from the top of the Sierra. The mountains pictured here release a stream of freshly melted water down the canyon, collecting in rivers that support trees giving precious shade. The mountains themselves are almost an oasis in the desert, high enuogh to pull moisture - typically rain or snow - out of the clouds. This can produce dramatic and unexpected changes in weather, at any season.