It's a testament to the power and tenacity of nature that trees can grow and flourish at these high altitudes. That's especially true given the many feet of snow that the Sierra Nevada receives every year -- there are winters when this tree must be over half-way buried in snow, which may not melt entirely until late June or even into July.

The sky on this September day was a brilliant shade of blue, framing this tree. It wasn't the tallest tree but it was the most regally placed, and could probably lay claim to the title of "King of the Mountain" -- or at least, King of Glacier Point!

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