Page 154 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

150 6 MORE ROCK FORMATIONS TO RIVAL ULURU

NATURAL WONDERS

Mount Augustus with wild flowers in foreground, Australia
Magnificent Half Dome beside Tenaya Creek, Yosemite National Park, USA Mount Augustus
Half Dome Hiker beside a mountain lake in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Torres del Paine NEED TO KNOW

NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Mount Augustus */%0/&4*"
NEED TO KNOW is in Western Australia, 300 miles
LOCATION Half Dome *OEJBO
is in Yosemite National Park LOCATION Torres del Paine National 4BOUJBHP (490 km) east of Carnarvon 0DFBO %BSXJO
in California $ "/"%" HEIGHT 2,823 ft (860 m) $PSBM
Park is in Chile’s Patagonia region 4FB
HEIGHT 4FBUUMF "3(&/5*/" BASE .06/5
HEIGHT The highest rock "6(64564
4,730 ft (1,440 m) is 3,280 ft (1,000 m) $)*-& CIRCUMFERENCE
)"-' Around 20 miles (32 km) "6453"-*"
BASE CIRCUMFERENCE %0.& /FX :PSL BASE
Around 5 miles (8 km) 6 4 " CIRCUMFERENCE "UMBOUJD DAYTIME 1FSUI 4ZEOFZ
-PT "OHFMFT 1BDJmD 0DFBO TEMPERATURES "EFMBJEF
DAYTIME Around 3 miles (5 km) 0DFBO Jan: 89°F (32°C); Apr: 77°F (25°C); $BOCFSSB
TEMPERATURES /FX 0SMFBOT DAYTIME Jul: 60°F (15°C); Oct: 74°F (23°C) .FMCPVSOF
Jan: 35°F (2°C); Apr: 50°F (10°C); TEMPERATURES 5033&4
Jul: 69°F (21°C); Oct: 53°F (12°C) .&9*$0 Jan: 57°F (13°C); Apr: 48°F (8°C); %&- 1"*/&
Jul: 34°F (1°C); Oct: 48°F (8°C) 1VOUB "SFOBT 6TIVBJB
This spectacular solitary peak, which is known as
Half Dome, the exquisite granite sentinel at the Burringurrah by the local Aboriginal people, rises
eastern end of Yosemite Valley, has become Set against the glacial lakes and windswept above an arid plain of shrubland dotted with
something of an icon in California, its image having steppes of Patagonia, Torres del Paine National emu bushes, river gums, and wattles. Red
found its way onto postcards, coins, and several Park (see p85) offers some of the most breathtaking kangaroos, emus, snakes, and small rodents are
company logos. Even in Yosemite, which is home mountain scenery on the planet. The three common in the area. Surrounding the rock are
to more granite domes than anywhere else on colossal towers (torres) at the center of the park trails and dirt roads that lead to Aboriginal rock
earth, Half Dome cuts a commanding profile. provide intimidating and challenging rock climbs, engravings, pools, and caves, and there is a 8-mile
Millions of years ago, glaciers undercut a much with the central tower being the crown jewel. But (12-km) round-trip summit trail for fit hikers. The
larger dome that stood here, weakening and for mere mortals, the park’s rugged trekking routes visible part of this sandstone mountain, which
eroding it to expose the sheer rock face we see are a better option. These will lead you around lies on a subterranean granite base, might look
today. Once declared “perfectly inaccessible,” the enormous glaciers, beside deep-blue lakes, and very like Uluru, but it’s more than twice as large as
rock’s summit can today be reached by handrails across scenic valleys where guanacos and rheas its more famous Northern Territory rival, with a
and wooden planks placed in the stone. The ascent roam freely. The great views here more than summit ridge measuring 5 miles (8 km).
is one of the most popular hikes in the park. compensate for the fierce winds and wet weather.
Practical Information
Practical Information Practical Information Getting There From Carnarvon on the west coast of Australia, go east to
Getting There Yosemite is a 4-hour drive to the east of San Francisco in Getting There and Around Torres del Paine National Park can be accessed Gascoyne Junction and continue on a gravel road for a total of 300 miles
California. Half Dome is located at the head of Yosemite Valley. by bus from Punta Arenas, which is 250 miles (400 km) to the southeast. (490 km) until you reach Mount Augustus National Park.
When to Go Half Dome can be viewed from Yosemite Valley all year round. Once in the park, the towers are normally viewed as part of a 10-day trek. When to Go The national park is accessible all year round, but it’s most
Climbing on the cable track is only available from mid-May to mid-October. When to Go The best time to visit is in spring and summer (Oct–Apr). pleasant between April and October
Website www.nps.gov/yose Website www.torresdelpaine.com Website www.dec.wa.gov.au

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