From the full lot at Glacier Point, Half Dome is self-evident. To the west, El Capitan rises flat-sided like a windowless high-rise, and the Cathedral Rocks tower over the Merced River 4,000 feet below. Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall cascade behind Half Dome down the Giant Staircase. Squirrels and mule deer circle sequoias in the Mariposa Grove and forage along Four-mile Trail, a descending (or ascending) switchback leading to the valley floor. Depleted Bridalveil Fall drifts in the wind. North along the Tioga Pass, steep peaks escaped glacialization by sheer height. Tuolomne Meadows glows golden in the evening light. A few days later, Mt. Dana welcomes travelers entering from the east end of the park. A trail follows Yosemite Creek toward seasonally dry Yosemite Falls, about eight miles of wildflowers (mostly gone by late summer) and disintegrating forest detritus, which left alone to nature would burn away, invigorating the mountain wilderness.