April 18, 2012 – Alder Creek

Starting Place: Wawona

Destination: Deer Camp

Actual Destination: A Spot on the Alder Creek Trail

Miles Traveled: 7.3 miles

Elevation Rise: 2,233'

Travel Time: 6:41

Moving Time: 4:26

Yesterday afternoon we decided to go on an overnight trip up to Alder Creek, close to Wawona. While we went up to Point Reyes last month, this feels like the first trip of the season. So our equipment is still in a bit of disorder. Food is still to be thought of. Consequently we got to bed at 11:30 last night.

It is up again at 6:40. Did a bit of last minute checks. Had a shower, breakfast of granola. Then loaded the car. By the time the engine started, it was 8:45. Go the the ranger ration in Wawona around 10 and did a self registration for our wilderness permit. Hit the trail at 10:45.

We expect to go to Deer Camp, 8.5 miles, 2000' rise. But judging by the snow on the way up, we may be stopping before then. It is a good rise, in chaparral. The day is warm, but not oppressive. So it is a good time to go through this—definitely not a summer trip.

We do pretty well and about the time we get out of the chaparral, our stomachs remind us that in order for the body to move, they must be fed. For those who have been with us, they will recognize what we pass off as lunch, which is really a modified candy bar in disguise. It is Peanut Butter, Nutella and a Ritz cracker. Love it. We finish around 1:15 and continue on.

Our travel is slower. At two, we meet up with the trail from Hwy 41. But we are tired and still have 5 miles more to get to Deer Camp.

We start to hit snow in small patches around 5400'-signs of more to come. Lots of down branches and small trees. We come to a creek with three small, but pretty falls. Most of the year, this will be dry. The snow gets longer in stretches, but still is not deep, only a couple of inches.

But then we break out onto the old railroad grade. It is flat. But now there is snow and the snow has accumulated on this piece of level ground. In places it is 2-3' deep. We are tiring and when we come to a creek, about half a mile from the falls, we make a decision. The snow is getting deeper, with being tired and there is no dry place to camp, we decided to head back to find a flat, dry place with water. Sounds sort of funny with all the snow around wanting water. Actually, we have a new three gallon gravity filter, so as long as we are a quarter or mile or so from water, we should be good.

We have traveled 5 3/8 miles, rose 1,800', trudged through snow. We are beat. But we have done good.

Flat places are not too available—covered with snow. We pass three falls creek and find a place about an 1.8 of a mile further.

Sherri pitches the tent. I cook Mountain House Freeze Dried Chicken Tetrazzini. Actually a pretty decent meal. I had the arduous task of finding and filtering the water. Did I say that we now have a gravity filter? What heaven will be like!

We are the only ones around. So we hit the sack at sunset. Reading The Help on my Nook.