Tuolumne Meadows is a mountain meadow in the Tuolumne River section of Yosemite.  A bit remoter relative to the main Yosemite Valley, the meadow still draws its fair share of visitors with its spectacular mountain vista, nearby river and lake, and rock-climbing.

These photos capture a panoramic view of the surrounding domes as you stand at the foot of the valley.  Mountains rise around you, and you see a grassy plain stretching out to them.  The starkness of the rock peaks clashes with the greenery on them and below, creating a rich blend of colors. 

Standing here, it's hard not to be awed by the peacefulness and grandeur of the scene.  You feel a peacefulness and a personal insignificance that was amazing.  I found it even more powerful than the main valley - perhaps because there weren't hundreds of people milling about and destroying the peacefulness of the moment.  We stopped in the meadow only as an excursion on our way out of Yosemite - but for next time, we intend to make it our main stop.