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    Tunnel View

    4.9 (117 reviews)

    Tunnel View Photos

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    Torri M.

    What is there to say... it is spectacular! What a view. I highly recommend not missing it... no matter how many times you see it or what time of year you go. It is always amazing. There is just something about the view just as you exit the tunnel ... it just hits different. Parking can be a bit of a challenge. I recommend to everyone to only visit on weekdays and never during peak vacation times. I usually park in a pull over spot below the lookout spot and walk up the hill so I do not have to fight for a parking spot. I mean this view ... it is just the perfect way to start out any visit to Yosemite.

    Waterfall
    Stevo O.

    This is the must visit location for a great photo of Yosemite. Of course half-dome is an obvious photo opportunity, but the surroundings are also unique and changes throughout the day or time of year. I particularly enjoyed the waterfall that my wife missed, but accidentally caught when she caught a photo of half-dome. Be aware that it's possible to park on either side east of the tunnel and there is a pedestrian walkway for cars to stop. It's almost impossible to take a bad photograph at this location, which seems to be a popular spot for motorcyclists too. Parking may be difficult during busy days, but overall, the stop may be only 15 to 20 minutes.

    Jeff H.

    Tunnel View will take your breathe away. It is a must stop vista point to take a great photo looking down Yosemite Valley. The best time to come by will be sunset as the sun will be behind you. It is awesome to get a view like this without having to bike or hike for hours from the valley.

    Yosemite Valley - Tunnel View
    John D.

    Tunnel Cloud The Tunnel View is quite possibly the most iconic National Parks image thanks to one Mr Ansel Adams. If there's one place at Yosemite to get your touristy spirit on then this be it. The Good: *Plenty of parking. We visited this spot twice and never had an issue of finding parking. Even if it's full I'd imagine you can find a parking spot pretty quickly as most people just stop, snap a few pics and then bounce. There's no trails or anything else to keep folks here longer than they need to be. *View really is amazing and needs to be seen at least once in your lifetime. *Good spot to people watch. :) The Meh: *Try and find a good time to come see the View. Early isn't necessarily better as our first time was in the a.m. and it was really dark and didn't make for great photos. When we stopped by later in the day the lighting was much better. I mean this is all assuming you care, of course. ;) Tldr: Yeah it's touristy but sfw?! #WorthIt #YoLo

    El Capitan and Half Dome
    Michelle T.

    Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular destinations for outdoor explorations in California. Tourists come from around the world to take in the natural beauty of Yosemite. However, before further exploring what Yosemite has to offer, there is one destination that you must visit. Tunnel View is the ultimate location as it gives you a breathtaking view of the entire park. Tunnel View is located off of Highway 41 and it's one of the first locations that you can stop off at as you enter the park. My suggestion is to arrive early, at sunrise or come in the evening at sunset. The parking lot is a decent size and there's more parking across the road. However, given the popularity of this location, it may be difficult to find a parking spot. Tunnel View is the one location where you can see El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and Half Dome. Unfortunately, the falls weren't flowing when we came as it's supplied by runoff from rain water and melted snow. Given the low rainfall numbers at this point, I'm guessing that it won't be flowing until some time next month. However, the view is still breathtaking! Speaking of Tunnel View, you can come in through the Wawona Tunnel portal which is at the southbound entrance to Yosemite. It's an epic drive because when you exit the tunnel, the first thing that you see is a Tunnel View. It's beyond amazing! There's not much else to say expect that this an absolute MUST for when you visit the park. Yosemite is a place that you can visit for days on end. The scenery changes with unforgiving weather patterns that eventually yield some of the most iconic views in California. I highly recommend spending time at Tunnel View for an unforgettable view of Yosemite National Park.

    Dani S.

    Must stop here if you are visiting Yosemite! There a viewpoint with a small parking lot to stop and take pictures. You get a beautiful panoramic view of the whole valley. Cameras out! This spot is on the way to glacier point or you can stop on the way back. Very convenient.

    Vincent P.

    This is a popular spot for tourists to get a nice panoramic view of the valley. Since it really doesn't require much effort other than driving to get here, it's usually packed with people. There are a decent amount of parking spots available, but it will definitely fill up, so try to get here early if you don't want to stress about getting a spot. If it is your first visit Yosemite, I would definitely recommend making a stop here to see the view. It's definitely a great spot to take pictures without requiring a difficult or long hike!

    Iconic tunnel view El Cap, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall.
    Sharon P.

    The Tunnel to the view where famous photographer Ansel Adams captured one of his most famous shots simply cannot be missed (unless you happen to be driving at night and if so I implore you to make the drive during the day so you can see it for yourself.) Awe inspiring, breathtaking, remarkable are just a couple adjectives that describe the beauty here. I remember the first time I saw the Grand Canyon and the lump that formed in my throat, the view here was just as emotional. Nature yes, higher power, for sure. The older I get the more I appreciate the spectacular canvas that is our nation and the glory that's on display every minute and hour of the day. Behold the view of El Cap, Half Dome in the distance and Bridalveil Fall then ask yourself why you waited so long to bear witness. This and so many other stunning areas in Yosemite and all of them just a drive away. Can't wait to visit again. Next time I'll bring a walking stick, a little more sunscreen and a LOT more silence.

    Beautiful view.  Oh, and there's Yosemite behind us.
    Glen N.

    [Look up just "TUNNEL VIEW". As of Jan 2020, this listing has 13 reviews and the other has 83.] Voted #1 view from me magazine, 35 years in a row. A breathtaking view of the valley (El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall), it is also a live re-enactment of the famous Ansel Adams photo. As much as it pains me to say, you could theoretically drive to the tunnel view and then turn back. I assume that is what all these Asians climbing back into the buses are doing. Even my family did this back in 1985. We got the picture and used it for our Christmas card, orange hair and green striped tube socks and all. The view alone might be worth the one hour drive from Oakhurst, but it's kinda like driving past Disneyland but not going in. Or, like looking at a donut and not eating it. In fact, little known fact: Yosemite is Native American for donut. According to a popular web encyclopedia, "internationally renowned artists to casual tourists have painted, drawn, and photographed the dramatic scenery from here and nearby vantage points since the 19th century." In that way it's like a bowl of fruit. A bowl of fruit responsible for over a thousand traumatic deaths since the 1800s, but a bowl of fruit nonetheless. The cool thing is that, after an hour of winding, ear-popping roads, wondering if each turn will be the last, you come to the long and dark Wawona Tunnel that ends of Route 41, an engineering feat cutting through solid bedrock for 4,233 feet (the longest tunnel in California, not counting your mom). I recommend slowing down because you will need to act fast to enter a tiny lot on your convenient right or a larger lot on your death-defying left, a task that is more difficult than it sounds because your eyes will be adjusting to the light and--- oh yeah--- the #1 view in the world will be distracting you. Pretend you are in Bird Box and DON'T LOOK--- just safely park first. Once you park, you will be fighting people trying to get the perfect picture. Imagine trying to take a picture of Santa Claus sitting on the Lincoln Memorial with the Mona Lisa in his hands. In fact, little known fact, that's what Yosemite means. Tip #1: I like to find the family that looks the least like me and take a picture with them for my Christmas card. Tip #2: Look for the topographical 3D map of the valley. It is so long, rectangular, dark, and grooved that it reminds me of Han Solo in carbonite. You love it? I know.

    Beautiful
    Marisela S.

    My turn to take the iconic picture. I never even knew where this place was in the Yosemite Park, how sad, especially because I live so close and I see people post this view all the time and I had no idea where it was. Now I know and I will for sure come back with my kiddo. We found parking easily, spent a good 30 minutes here rotating from left to right, taking in the view, I would love to come back at sunset or in the morning, I mean to just see the cars disappear into the forest and then to drive down and explore everything from ground level, I mean it was just amazing. I forget what is in my own backyard and this just put things back into perspective. Will be back soon!

    Day time
    Kelly H.

    I highly recommend stopping by tunnel view on your way to Yosemite Valley. It's truly an amazing first look, an appetizer basically, of what you're going to see in Yosemite! Great views of half dome, El Capitan, and bridalveil falls. If you have time, come back during sunset for another spectacular view! I promise it's worth it! Definitely the "signature" Yosemite valley view and for a good reason!

    Tunnel View in the Winter
    Mylesha D.

    Getting there: Located on Wawona Rd, after exiting the long tunnel you will come across Tunnel View. There is parking on both sides, but parking is limited. Experience: Still as amazing, and I feel like it gets better each time. This was the first time I had been here in the winter time and if you thought Yosemite was beautiful in the summer, you've got to see it in the winter. It was little crowded even for the winter time, but for the most part people were in and out.

    Was a little chilly so he had his hat on
    Thi N.

    When I got there there was parking on the left and right. Lots of cars and bus, so it fill up quickly. View was breath take so make sure to take it in too. People was very respectful waiting for each other turns to take photos. Just be patient. That's how I was able to have my dog photos. Yes people were taking his photo and with him. That's was a cute experience for us. Not much else to do there. Nice quick stop.

    View near the cliff side of Tunnel View

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    Review Highlights - Tunnel View

    From this vantage point you can clearly see El Capitan and Half Dome is also very visible in the background.

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    Yosemite National Park - A fiery red Checkerspot butterfly (I think it's a Variable Checkerspot) along the Swinging Bridge Trail!

    Yosemite National Park

    4.6(1.4k reviews)
    5.5 mi

    My husband, my son, and I spent four unforgettable days hiking in Yosemite National Park. We…read moreabsolutely love hiking, and being surrounded by nature always brings out the best in us. Day 1: We hiked 7.2 miles exploring several smaller trails. We also took the train ride for about an hour, which was so relaxing. The highlight of the day was seeing a black bear. Day 2: We hiked Half Dome all the way to the cables a total of 17 miles. It was by far the hardest hike we've ever done, but every step was worth it. Along the way we passed Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, both absolutely breathtaking. The hike back was tough on our knees, but we kept a positive attitude and finished strong. Day 3: We hiked Tuolumne Grove Trail and then Glacier Point to Union Point. The round trip was 8 miles, with plenty of uphill climbing on the way back. That night we stayed to watch the shooting stars around 10 p.m., and it was magical. We also saw an adorable baby bear cub. Day 4: We hiked Mariposa Grove Trail to Wawona Point, completing 8 miles. Walking among the giant sequoia trees was an incredible experience that I highly recommend. The trail is moderate and absolutely beautiful. We also spotted a deer. By the end of our trip, we had hiked 40.2 miles in four days. Our legs were exhausted, but our hearts were full. Every mile, every view, and every wildlife encounter made this adventure unforgettable. Yosemite reminded us why we love hiking nature has a way of bringing out the best in us.

    Haven't visited in late spring or early summer in years, and it was absolutely breathtaking. The…read moremeadows were lush and green, the waterfalls were flowing, and the weather was perfect. Yosemite never gets old. It was such a nice change after visiting the park in the winter for the past several years. Already can't wait to be back again soon! We visited Father's Day weekend and got into the park around 6:30 AM. We parked near Yosemite Falls Lodge, and there was plenty of parking at that time. It didn't start filling up until after 8:00 AM, so getting there early was definitely worth it. We pretty much had Lower Yosemite Falls to ourselves while we ate breakfast. We took the shuttle to Mist Trails and ended up doing the hike up to the top of Nevada Falls.

    Photos
    Yosemite National Park - ***AMAZING PLACE***

    ***AMAZING PLACE***

    Yosemite National Park - Sweat lodge

    Sweat lodge

    Yosemite National Park - Glacier Point

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    Glacier Point

    Horsetail Fall - Horsetail Fall being lot up by the setting sun.

    Horsetail Fall

    4.7(7 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    The rangers are amazing as always, the park beautiful as usual. This was my first winter visit and…read moreI love the look of snow in the park. Planned to see the firefall. But unfortunately it was overcast and it did not workout. So we will give it a shot next year and plan to stay a few days to increase our chances of viewing the firefalls

    It is a big waterfall that falls off the side of El Capitan and is best viewed when looking east…read more It is pretty big, so it is viewable from many different places. It is just personal preference as to where you want to view this waterfall. Last year they required a permit to park in the parking during the prime week to see that fall. This year there was no permit required. I do not know if that will be the case again next year. You can also park at the lodge and hike towards the fall, which is about a mile hike to get to a good viewing area. But know that hiking in the snow is hard and a mile will feel much more than a mile. What makes this waterfall special is that for the mid two weeks of February, IF the conditions are right, it will looking like the waterfall is on fire. I tried for 2 days to see it, but no luck. I was here last week, which is a week before "prime" viewing time but it was just way to cloudy with snow to be able to see the "fire" effects. The water however, was flowing beautifully. If I lived closer, I would try more days to see the firefall effect. Perhaps I shall try again next year as I will not be able to try again in the next couple weeks.

    Photos
    Horsetail Fall - Waiting for sunset. Feb 8-10, 2019. No firefall effect

    Waiting for sunset. Feb 8-10, 2019. No firefall effect

    Horsetail Fall - Picture from iPhone #nofilter and transition between 4.56pm to 5.23pm on 02.11.2017!

    Picture from iPhone #nofilter and transition between 4.56pm to 5.23pm on 02.11.2017!

    Horsetail Fall

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    Panorama Trail

    Panorama Trail

    4.7(19 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    BEWARE TOURISTS. THIS HIKE IS NOT FOR YOU…read more I'm in my thirties and not an avid hiker. I'm not going to sugar coat this review because of the views. I'm going to be brutally honest about this trail, which changes from nicely paved dirt path to treacherous piles of jagged rocks (sometimes slippery if you're at Mist trail) that you need to figure out how to get down or up (depending on what direction you are taking) without falling and hurting yourself badly. Also, keep in mind there are other people sharing this path with you in the opposite direction so you not only need to navigate through the treachery of the rocks but also the people sharing them with you. I had planned to do the four mile trail (from Glacier point) because it was shorter but the Glacier point gift shop employee Jeremy said he had done this hike in 2 hours with his 40 year old mom and all he took was one water bottle with no problem. LIES!! The other gift shop employee Olivia said panorama trail was longer but definitely easier than four mile because it was less steep and all downhill. MORE LIES!!! Its because of what they both said that changed my mind to switch from four mile to panoramic trail. This trail is labeled as strenuous but should have "treacherous" added to it. There are parts of the trail where there are no signs and you lose your way because there is no clear path on where to go. At Vernal Falls, after you cross the bridge, you have to walk up a huge slab of rock to figure out which direction to go to continue on (you go right). It was late in the afternoon for us so there wasn't anyone around for us to follow. The bad signage, or lack thereof, was frustrating. If you see squiggly marks on the map (that you can get at the visitor centers) it means you have to walk down jagged/slippery rocks. 99% do not have rails. You could fall hard on your way to Neveda Falls or fall straight down slippery rocks at Mist trail (your shoes will get wet--mine were completely soaked). Some of the trail were paved dirt roads (which was what I was expecting, including the switchbacks) but many parts of this trail were just rocks stacked on top of rocks done by Yosemite staff to create a challenging hiking experience. You are climbing down these rocks for miles non stop. Your knees will hate you. There are no bathrooms. The first bathroom is at Nevada Falls. The first place where you will see a water fountain to refill your water is after Vernal Falls on the Mist trail and before you reach the Happy Isles Nature Center. After you reach the Happy Isles Nature center, you still have to walk a bit to the #16 shuttle stop. Our driver was ending her shift so she was making select stops. Thankfully she stopped at stop #8 to the Yosemite Valley Lodge where we had left our car. We got to our car by 8pm and took off for our hotel by 830pm. We were exhausted and now had to drive home down a winding trail to exit the park in the dark. It was a tough drive back to our hotel and we didn't expect to have a day like this. This trail is not all downhill from Glacier point. You have a good 2 miles of steep uphill hiking. There was not a lot of shade in the day hours during summer. I carried with me 3 waters, 1 gatorade, 1 snapple (bought at gift shop located at Glacier Point) and it was not enough to last me the 9 hours it took for us to complete this trail. I recommend bringing more if you plan to do this complete 9 mile route. Also, I recommend bringing a walking stick (or buying one at the gift shop for $22.99) and a bucket hat for $32.00). These are definitely worth the investment or added weight to your gear because in the 90 degree heat and the treacherous areas of the trail you will be so thankful to have had them. All in all, the waterfalls started to look the same to me. Illilouette Fall and Nevada falls looked very similar. If you want to get misty, do lower yosemite falls and walk towards the bottom of the falls (off trail) instead of Vernal Falls. Or take shuttle #16 and walk to Vernal Falls instead of seeing it from panoramic trail. In my opinion this trail was not worth the energy, sweat and tears. I was more impressed by Igazu falls and Niagara Falls when I visited them. I thought this trail would be like others I've taken when visiting other National parks or International parks. I thought it would be a cleared dirt path. I was WRONG. If you want to get great pictures of everything from Panoramic trail, I recommend breaking up your trip in two. First trip: park at Glacier point, walk to Illilouette Fall, then turn back. Second trip: take shuttle to #16 stop, walk Mist trail to see Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. In my opinion, this is a much less strenuous and treacherous itinerary and you can see everything you would have seen on the Panoramic trail without the pain and stress.

    1. This hike has been called by many as the most beautiful hike in Yosemite. Ok, if not many…read morepeople, at least me, who has done almost all the hikes in this park, except Half Dome. 2. We drove in just as Glacier Point was opening for the season in May 2015 . This year being El Nino with huge snowdrifts, Glacier Point road will be closed until June 2016. 3. We did both the Taft Point and Sentinel Dome hikes, using the single pit toilet bathroom at the trailhead, just in time ahead of a bus load of hikers. 4. Drove to nearby Glacier Point, overrun with tourists, checking out the views of the Yosemite Valley 3000 feet below, taking in awesome sights of El Capitan, 2425' Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, tallest waterfall in North America, before heading onto the Panorama Trail. 5. Hardly a person on the Panorama Trail at 7,200 feet elevation, with an in your face view of Half Dome. This massive granite mountain is an awesome sight, dominating the landscape. 6. The trail becomes a series of downhill switchbacks, through vast forests of trees. In the distance we can see Vernal and Nevada Falls coming closer, roaring full blast in the late Spring, but disappearing by late Fall. 7. We walk along the edge of a cliff, fronting the Yosemite Valley, somewhat similar to walking along the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Great photographer's spots everywhere, of Half dome, and the two waterfalls, framed between the trees, as we go downhill. 8. Walk down the path two miles to the Illilouette Fall, and then on the John Muir trail to Nevada Falls, and then to Vernal Falls, and down the 700+ granite stairs of the Mist trail. We go past the Vernal Falls footbridge, onto the lower mist trail, all alongside the raging Merced river, swollen by the melted snow of winter. 9. People wade in the water in the summer, when the falls are a trickle, only to slip on the wet rocks, and fall into the river and become one of 200+ people each year who need to be rescued, and taken out on a stretcher on an equipment cart on the paved Lower Mist Trail 10. The entire trail is 8.5 miles one way, starting at 7,200 feet and ending at 4,020 feet elevation, taking about 8 hours, open from June to October. 11. We walk only two hours, one hour from Glacier Point, and one hour back, taking in the best views of the Panorama trail -the time limit for the wife before making another pit stop! 12. We come back in time to enjoy a awesome view of the sun glimmering on Half Dome, and then the sunset on the Dome, before a harrowing drive in the darkness along the winding Glacier Point mountain road at night, with speeding tailgaters close on my tail.

    Photos
    Panorama Trail
    Panorama Trail - Half Dome from the Panorama Trail

    Half Dome from the Panorama Trail

    Panorama Trail - Panorama Point

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    Panorama Point

    Four Mile Trail - View of Yosemite Falls from 4 Mile Trail

    Four Mile Trail

    4.4(56 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    The Four Mile Trail is reviewed as having the best views for a hike from the valley and I agree. It…read morehas the best ROI for views as there are constant changing views of Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Falls. The hike can be difficult at times as much of it is exposed to the sun, so I recommend going as early as possible. We also encountered rattlesnakes going up and coming back down, so it might be good to be cautious during the rocky middle section. Glacier Point at the end of the trail is absolutely beautiful. It has views of all of the major peaks around. There's also a store with cold drinks and snacks to fuel your way back down.

    Because Glacier Point Road was closed for construction (all of 2022 unfortunately), there were only…read more3 ways to reach Glacier Point. All 3 are very strenuous and at least 9 miles round trip, but the 4-mile trail is the least intensive. However this is not stroll in the park. My mother and I (between beginner and intermediate in physical ability and hiking experience) hiked from 7am - 2pm round trip. It took us 3.5 hrs to reach Glacier point from the valley (4.6 miles), we spent about an hour at the top, then took another 2.5 hrs to hike down. We stopped often for pictures and short breaks. The views get better along the way, but it probably wasn't until 2 miles into the hike that they became more spectacular and we started taking photos. The trail itself is easy to follow, dry, and easy to descend. It has roughly 3 sets of switchbacks, the 1st which gets you roughly 2 miles in (start of nice views), the 2nd which takes you to Union point (3 miles in, has a descent panoramic view of valley), and the last set which brings you close to glacier point. There aren't really any easier parts of the trail, it's a constant ascent (3200 feet total). It is a tougher trail, but if you start early enough in the day, bring lots of water and snacks, and take breaks when needed, it is do-able. The views at the top make it all worth it!

    Photos
    Four Mile Trail - Boooo!

    Boooo!

    Four Mile Trail - About half way up--views of Yosemite Falls.

    About half way up--views of Yosemite Falls.

    Four Mile Trail

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    Tamarack Flat Campground - Park entrance

    Tamarack Flat Campground

    4.1(14 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    We reserved site 25 here for a few days Thursday-Saturday. It was full sun which was a bummer cos…read morewe didn't bring a pop up tent. The road down is paved so fine for most vehicles though it is windy and probably difficult for some camper vehicles. Our park ranger on site was a volunteer named Jim who was the absolute BEST. Personable, knowledgeable, interactive, and kept things in order in the friendliest way. No showers, well maintained bathrooms. No water sources (sinks or spigot) so you need to bring all your own water. Trails from the site including an 8 mile one to El Capitain. About a 40 min drive to the valley or 1 hour to Hetch Hetchy. You still need to pay the park entrance fee ($35 or use your parks pass) You're fairly close to noghbors so be prepared for some noise.

    Tamarack Flat Campground was the location for our Cousin Bonding Trip. With my last visit to…read moreYosemite back in '91 with my family, I had pretty high expectations on what this trip was going to consist of. The distance from this campsite is pretty far from the main entrance to Yosemite. The drive itself from the gate is about 10-15 minutes, and if you get stuck behind a slow car, you can pretty much double that driving time. The actual camping site sizes are large with a ton of parking spaces and enough space to really spread out. There is also enough space between the campsites so that you don't have to worry about loud neighbors. While everything sounds all good - this campsite lacks alot of trees for shade in the camp sites. In the morning when you have the sun blazing down on your face, it's worse after a night drinking by the fire. You just wake up hot and sweaty - it's not the bizz; it's quite miserable...waking up hot and sweaty. Let's talk bathrooms, because that's really what is important when it comes to being away from home and being clean. So this campsite has OUTHOUSES, yes you read that right! Basically a small outhouse with a huge hole in the ground for number 1 and number 2. These outhouses smell, they are infested with flies ... did I say them smell? They are no running showers, so be sure to pack a lot of baby wipes and anti-bacterial cleaning supplies. We saw a couple baby bears during our stay here so be sure to use the bear cabins for your foods. Everything needs to be locked in so it doesn't attract the bears.

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    Tamarack Flat Campground
    Tamarack Flat Campground
    Tamarack Flat Campground - Sunset

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    Tunnel View - localflavor - Updated July 2026

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