Cars were lined up down the road to park close to the Battery Spencer lookout. It took us about 20 minutes to get lucky enough to find a rare open spot. Its likely the best view of the Golden Gate, but of the hundred or so people there few checked out Battery Spencer itself.
If you ever visit the Muir Woods, make sure to take a walk along one of the many lesser traveled hiking trails. Most visitors, and there are many, seem to stay to the confines of the wood-boarded paths that start from the main entrance, but by taking a few of the trails you can experience the peace and quiet of the old forest. Find a spot to just stand still for a minute, careful not to make a sound, and hear...nothing...
No photo can possibly convey the size of the red wood trees in the Muir Woods. How ever big you imagine them being is much too small. You must see them in person, and expect to spend a lot of time starring up into the canopy of this massive and ancient trees.
This little grasshopper matched the color and pattern of the granite rock perfectly.
This grazing deer wasn't bothered by the tourist crowding around taking pictures and taking in the view. Just kept on eating.
We stayed at Glacier Point until sunset. Right as the sun went down rain clouds rolled in from the east, bathing the granite valley in a soft pink light.
It was dark by the time we made our way down from Glacier Point. We stopped at Inspiration Point to take in the starlight. The lights on the ground are from contruction being down on the road through the valley.