Photos of Glacial Erratic Boulders in Yosemite National Park

By February 26, 2005October 25th, 2022California, Landscape, Sierra Nevada, Yosemite

Above the granite walls surrounding Yosemite Valley are found many examples of glacial erratic boulders. These glacial erratics are so named because they are erratic (i.e., differ materially from the naturally occuring stone nearby) and they were deposited by slow-moving glaciers, sometimes after having been moved a considerable distance (e.g., tens of miles) from their origin.

Glacial erratics atop Olmsted Point. Erratics are huge boulders left behind by the passing of glaciers which carved the granite surroundings into their present-day form, Yosemite National Park, California

Glacial erratics atop Olmsted Point. Erratics are huge boulders left behind by the passing of glaciers which carved the granite surroundings into their present-day form.
Image ID: 09966
Location: Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Glacial erratics atop Olmsted Point, with Clouds Rest in the background. Erratics are huge boulders left behind by the passing of glaciers which carved the granite surroundings into their present-day form, Yosemite National Park, California

Glacial erratics atop Olmsted Point, with Clouds Rest in the background. Erratics are huge boulders left behind by the passing of glaciers which carved the granite surroundings into their present-day form.
Image ID: 09968
Location: Yosemite National Park, California, USA

A glacial erratic hangs precariously at the precipice to Tenaya Canyon, with Clouds Rest in the background. Erratics are huge boulders left behind by the passing of glaciers which carved the granite surroundings into their present-day form, Yosemite National Park, California

A glacial erratic hangs precariously at the precipice to Tenaya Canyon, with Clouds Rest in the background. Erratics are huge boulders left behind by the passing of glaciers which carved the granite surroundings into their present-day form.
Image ID: 09969
Location: Yosemite National Park, California, USA

The edges of Tenaya Canyon, especially granite expanses at Olmsted Point, are good places to find glacial erratics, as well as the Half Dome and Little Yosemite Valley trails.

Keywords: glacial erratics, glacial erratic boulders, glacier, granite, Yosemite National Park, photo, image, photograph, picture.

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!