June 28, 2012 – Middle Velma Lake to Bayview Trailhead

Title: June 28, 2012 – Middle Velma Lake to Bayview Trailhead

Trail head: Bayview Trailhead, Emerald Bay

Hike Info:

Trail: Maggie's Peaks

Destination: Bayview Trailhead

Distance: 6.6

Travel Time: 5:35

Moving Time: 3:13

Elevation Rise: 982'

Maximum Elevation: 8,437'

Description:



Woke up this morning around 6:45 and there was no wind, unlike last night. Nice crisp and clear morning. Breakfast is served and we leave around 8:45. We decide to make a little side trip up to Upper Velma Lake. Middle Velma Lake is only connected to Lower or Upper Velma Lake by name, not drainage. It is a pleasant walk—Sherri and I do it without our packs, but Andrea has hers. We spend some time around the lake—Andrea and I walk out to an island to claim it for our Capture California effort. We name the land, Cat in the Hat Island. There is a nice waterfall coming into the end of the lake.



We come back and pick up our packs and then trot off down the trail. We get to see the three Velma lakes as we climb. While the climb is not bad, the sun is on us and the altitude is a bit for us sea level creatures—how are we to handle the high Sierra's? We stop for lunch in the shade. Then round one of the peaks.



As we round the peak, we start to see Lake Tahoe and then Emerald Bay. In the foreground is Cascade Lake, right next to Emerald Bay. The trail is steep going down—glad we are not going up. As we come down, we meet a couple PCT'ers. There pack is having a problem. We offer some assistance, or at least a ride to town. They said that would help. But about half an hour later when we got down, they found a ride into town already. So we got down around 2pm.



We stopped by the Taylor Creek Visitor Center and did a nice walk around. Met a couple of rangers. Then we were off. Sherri rode with Andrea to Placerville. We wound up following a person who was going 25-35mph, then would speed up when there was a passing lane. Finally passed him and made it to Placerville. We thought we were eating Mexican, but the place had turned in Bricks. Food was good. Keep this on the list of places to stop. Andrea parted ways with us and went on back to El Ceritto. We stayed the night at a National 9 Inn. Pretty basic, but the price was good. Treated ourselves to a dish of ice cream before going to bed.

June 27, 2012 -Cragg Lake to Middle Velma Lake

 

Title: June 27, 2012 -Cragg Lake to Middle Velma Lake

Trail head: Meeks Bay/Cragg Lake

Hike Info:

Trail: Yosemite Tahoe Trail

Destination: Middle Velma Lake

Distance: 8.6

Travel Time: 7:58

Moving Time: 4:18

Elevation Rise: 2,090'

Maximum Elevation: 8,844'

 







Description:

Got up before sunrise at Cragg Lake. All still. Mountains reflect off of the lake. Clear and beautiful. Saw that there was a control valve which governs the flow from the lakes in this area.

Andrea and Sherri gets up around the arrival of the sun. Normal breakfast. A bit slow in getting off. Leave camp around 9:30. But the day is cool and the grade is moderate, so we make good time. We stop at Stony Ridge Lake. It is pleasant enough-actually a really nice lake. Andrea and I claim a rock as our Capture California island. We wade/swim to it. Water is a bit cold, but the lake bottom is nice to walk on. Also we do a picnic lunch for CC as well. Oh yeah—and we were visited by a friendly little snake. But this pleasant time comes to an end. We start hiking again and it is up, up and up. The view is pretty good of the lake. We cross over a ridge which separates the drainage between Meeks and Emerald Bay. The scenery changes dramatically from forested, to rock. Both are pleasant, just a contrast.

We continue on toward Phipps Pass, 8800'. The pass itself is not impressive. But it does mark the end of a long uphill, we descend for a couple of miles, regaining some of the trees. I take time off and read more of Dracula, getting too engrossed. Sherri takes a head start. In my effort to catch up, I take a spill, scrapping my shin. More blood than pain. But a reminder to not rush, enjoy.

I catch up with Andrea and Sherri at the PCT junction. Mosquitoes are attacking me with full force and become grumpy towards Sherri lack of speed. We finish the next two miles to Middle Velma Lake. Andrea does some exploring and comes up with a campsite. Wind is blowing pretty strong. At least it diminishes the number of mosquitoes.



After dinner, Andrea hits the sack. Sherri and I are not too far behind. Long day, but I am glad to be with Andrea and Sherri.

June 26, 2012, Meeks Bay to Cragg Lake

Trail head: Meeks Bay

Hike Info:

Trail: Tahoe-Yosemite Trail

Destination: Cragg Lake

Distance: 6.0

Travel Time: 3:27

Moving Time: 2:42

Elevation Rise: 1,549'

Maximum Elevation: 7,523'

Description:
Last night getting packed after hosting House Church potluck. Got to bed at midnight, then got up at 6:15. We packed up and left at 7:40. We met up with Andrea at the Emerald Bay Bayview parking area. She had gotten the wilderness permit at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center. We then moved down the road to Meeks Bay. We had lunch and leaving around 2:20.

The first 1.4 miles is along a blocked off service road. When we reach the Desolation Valley Wilderness Area. The road is an easy uphill. Then the Tahoe-Yosemite Trail takes off uphill. Our pace does slow down, but we get some good views of Tahoe.

The trail follows Meeks Creek. It goes up good, then levels off and goes up good again. Three or four shelves likes this brings us to Lake Genevieve. This has all been forested area. We drop our packs and rest for a few minutes. Andrea and I go to the next lake and see if campsite pickings are better. We find a place and come back for Sherri. So on the trail, it is five miles and and another mile to find a campsite.We did find a pretty decent place at Cragg Lake, just a short distance up the trail. The camp spot is up on a small rise, but pretty flat.



First time, putting up the tent which Andrea gave me. Pretty good. It is easy to put up and has lots of room. Good choice by her. Thank you.

Andrea makes a noodle/peanut butter/turkey combination. Lots of it. Mosquitoes have come out so it is time for us to go in. But we did stay out. First we play a vigorous game of Frisbee. Then we took a walk down to the lake and just enjoyed the dusk light, watching as it darkened. When it gets cold enough, we turn in. Lights out around 10,

June 21, 2012 – McGee Lake to Murphy Ck/Tenaya Lake

Title: June 21, 2012 – McGee Lake to Murphy Ck/Tenaya Lake

Trail head: Murphy Creek

Hike Info:

Trail: Murphy Creek

Destination: Murphy Creek Trailhead

Distance: 7.6

Travel Time: 5:46

Moving Time: 3:26

Elevation Rise: 1,129'

Maximum Elevation: 8,738'

Description:
Its a record! We got up at 5:30 and hit the trail by 7:00Surprises of this sort is good—it brings hope for our JMT effort.



The trail skirts along McGee Lake for its length, about a third of a mile, pleasant walking. Sherri took off about 10 minutes before me. Even at a 3 mph pace, I am not catching her. Refreshing forest.




I cross a creek and start on uphill. Finally I catch up with her and in a nick of time. She has the toilet paper. Found a really wonderful place off trail—should have created a waypoint. The logs formed a good seat.



From this point, we climb 8-900' to the May Lake/Murphy Creek trail junction. While not steep, it is continuous. Most of the time , a climb like this is not bad. But today we are fighting a scourage of diminutive Dracula's which want our blood. But Deet works better than mirrors or trying to drive a silver dagger through a mosquito's heart.



But we reach the top, now it is all downhill, following Murphy Creek to Teneya Lake. We stop about a mile and half from Tenaya Lake for a picnic lunch. The usual—pepperoni stick, crackers, jerky and peanut butter/nutella. Good meal.



Murphy Creek is no Tuolumne River, but a small creek. The trail takes us through forests, inter weaved with long slabs of granite. We get to Tenaya Lake at 11:30, not in time for the first shuttle. We waited for about an hour and when the shuttle did not stop—we are not at a designated shuttle stop. So we walked another half a mile to the east end of the lake where the shuttle picked us up.



It lets us off at Lembert Dome parking lot. I then walk down to the car and come back and pick Sherri up. There is a low tire pressure light on. Stop at the gas station and fill it up with air—very flat. We make it home without further incident, of course stopping at Todd's.

June 20, 2012, McGee Lake to Waterwheel Falls

Title: June 20, 2012, McGee Lake to Waterwheel Falls

Trail head: McGee Lake

Hike Info:

Trail: Waterwheel Falls

Destination: Waterwheel Falls

Actual Destination: Top of Waterwheel Falls

Distance: 9.5 miles

Travel Time: 8:00

Elevation Rise: 1,500'

Maximum Elevation: 8,100'

Lost the GPS Track

Description:
I woke up at 6:15 and do something unusual. I lay in bed reading, and enjoying the restful time. I read 1 John. After an hour, Sherri gets up before—another first. Oatmeal for breakfast—more mossying around camp. Then off on a day hike to Waterwheel Falls.

At 9:30, we take off on the Tour de Falls. And what a tour it is! First, we see more of the White Cascade than we did last night. It is even more spectacular than what we saw. We cross another footbridge and come to the junction of the PCT, Glen Aulin and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne trails. It is 3.3 miles to the top of Waterwheel Falls and a drop of 1,200' from this junction. But what a glorious drop. We first see Cataract Falls. This is a small one, but it is nice, with a lot of water flowing.

We then hit a flat area for the next mile and a half. Marmot, Jays, Crows, Woodpeckers, butterflies, all inhabit this area. Sherri is carrying the pack down. We get to the top of the next drop and we see the long cataract of water flowing down. Slick rock—probably over a ¼ mile in length. And as you travel down California Falls, you get the feeling of power and largeness. We eat lunch at the base of this falls, enjoying seeing the water rush by.



Quickly the water slows downs and widens into some pools. The next set of cascades do not have a name, but they should. But I guess if you have that much falling water, not everything can have a name. We walk on enjoying the wonder.



The third set of falls, and they are sets. They do not have straight drops but cascade down or slide. LeConte Falls has ruffles. So as the water slides down, it is forced back up into the air, creating these large waves. We are fascinated for the longest time.



At the bottom of these falls, we hit a bit of flat ground for a little ways. It is fascinating that above each fall there is a place of calm waters. And then it goes over the side. For as much as I have been looking forward to Waterwheel Falls, these are a bit of a disappointment. Especially after what we have seen today. These are not up to expectations—still they are wondrous.

We do not go very far down. We decide that as it is 1:30 and we need to head back up the 1,400' drop we just walked down. We have a second look at Waterwheel Falls, then start up. It is hot and a good climb. But then, there are many stopping points, both to rest and gawk. Going up has its own unique eye-candy. For example, when we reach the top of Cataract Falls, for the first time we can appreciate the White Cascade. It is a lot more appealing. Then when we have seen it before. Reminds you of a miniature Nevada and Vernal Falls.



We get back to camp before 5:30. Tired, but good with what we saw today. Dinner is black bean mix. At 7, Sherri hits the bed and I follow after climbing up a 100' and enjoying the view of the sun reflecting on the mountains. 7:30 and I am in bed with Dracula.

June 19, 2012, Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin and McGee Lake

Title: June 19, 2012, Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin and McGee Lake

Trail head: Lembert Dome

Hike Info:

Trail: Pacific Crest Trail

Destination: Glen Aulin/McGee Lake

Distance: 6.3 miles (lost the GPS track)

Travel Time: 4:15

Description:
Last night we went to bed, pretty late, actually almost in the morning. I woke up at 6, turned over and got up 45 minutes later. Everything in my pack was ready by 8. But we are having troubles with Sherri's. She is taking the food this time, getting everything in her pack, including the food canister. This was the half height, Bear Vault. But after struggling for over an hour, we did get everything in, including changing it out for our Garcia canister-it is thinner.



After gassing up, we left Fresno. Got our wilderness permit at Wawona for Glen Aulin. Inquired about the John Muir Trail—an early permit can be obtained at 11am, previous day—it is better to get the permit in the Valley—they had first priority over the Valley trails.




We get held up with road construction at Wawona Tunnel. Finally make it to Tuolumne Meadows at 1pm. That is a long drive. Andrea has a friend doing the PCT--Maya. We thought that she was approaching Tuolumne Meadows Wednesday. Turned out she was there a week before. Oh well. I did ask some PCTers who were lounging around the Tuolume store if they had heard of Maya. They had not, but now that I read her log, I can understand.



We get started at 2 from the Lembert Dome stables parking lot. Sherri has some new boots on. So I carry her old boots in case these do not work out. The trail is wide and splits off of the John Muir Trail, which goes past Soda Springs and Parson Lodge. Our trail follows the Pacific Crest Trail northwest ward. We break away from Tuolumne Meadows and climb a little ridge. Delaney Creek is just over the ridge. This creek has provided us much entertainment. The coupe of times we have gone a ways on this trail, this creek has been our ending destination. Glen Aulin draws many people who normally do not step into the alpine air of Yosemite. Consequently, they sometimes have issues with some of the simple tasks of of hiking—such as crossing a creek. Most accept help, many are scared of falling in, some try to cross on their own. It is an interesting study of human nature.



We make it across the creek by walking on stones—the creek is not very high and this is a drought year. Our travel continues. We shortly come back to the Tuolumne River. This time, if anything, it is more meandering and wider than around Tuolumne Meadows. The mountains in the background and the meadows by river, fair weather under warm blue skies—we could stay here forever.



We stop for a lunch break by one of the scenic spots—that is not saying much since they are all scenic. Enjoying 20 minutes or more of paradise. After lunch we cross some large glaciated granite. And then we cross the Tuolumne River, that is on a foot bridge. It would have been fun crossing this river by wading it.



We shortly start down a good slope, which we will continue till we reach Glen Aulin. As we look to the right, we see Tuolumne Falls cascading down. My comment—this is at least as good as Spokane Falls. Sherri's response—better, God made it.



As we continue down, we see the White Cascades—soooo good. This is a wondrous trail.



We get to Glen Aulin junction, about a quarter of a mile from Glen Aulin itself. The NPS would like us to camp a mile from Glen Aulin. So we have a decision to make: continue on the PCT and go up Cold Creek on the other side of Glen Aulin; go down the Tuolumne River for about a mile; or go to left to McGee Lake. At the end of the decision, we go to McGee Lake mostly because it is on our trail Thursday. On the map, it is rather uninviting, but it does have the virtue of cutting off a little distance Thursday. Also Wednesday we will take a day hike down the Tuolumne River and see the Falls.



So to McGee we go. For the past 20 minutes, we have been attacked by a swarm of mosquito’s. So out comes the repellant. Much better. Shortly we get to McGee Lake. We drop our packs and I search for a place to camp. There is a place close to where we dropped our packs, but it looks a bit infested with pests. So I go the length of the lake looking for a spot—we are alone at this lake. Finally after walking the full third of a mile of the lake I find a place. Returning to Sherri and the packs, I hear a voice calling me from on high. Not a mystical calling, but Sherri with a revelation. She had gone on a bathroom run and found a perfectly good camp spot just 40 yards from where we dropped the packs. It is on top of a rock outcropping, higher up than most misquotes are willing to climb. So here we stay, 30' above the lake. We drop our packs for the final time today at 6:15.



Dinner is lasagna-freeze dried variety. Tasty, but a bit liquidy. We put some Ritz crackers to firm it up. Its clean up time and then into bed to escape the flying pests. I read my current book, Dracula, for awhile and turn off the light at 8:30.

June 15, 2012, Park Ridge Trail

Title: June 15, 2012, Park Ridge Trail

Trail head: Panoramic Point Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Trail: Park Ridge Trail

Destination: Park Ridge Lookout

Distance: 5.5 miles

Travel Time: 4:23 ( 1.25mph)

Moving Time: 2:38 (2.08mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,210'

Maximum Elevation: 7,743

Description:
We get a late start, leaving the house around 10:15 and getting up to the Panoramic Point parking area around 11:30. We then dawdle around for another half an hour before hitting the trail. The first 300 yards or so is a paved path up to Panoramic Point. From here we can see that there is a lot of haze and smog restricting the view. Also there are some thunderheads in the distance, but they will not be bothering us today.

From here we take the Park Ridge Trail. This trail follows Park Ridge—a bit redundant isn't this? From parts of the path, you look down into the Grant Grove, Lake Sequoia basin and the Central Valley. On a clear day, you can see the tops of the Coastal Range. Today is not one of those. On the other side, you look down onto Hume Lake, the South Fork of the Kings River and across to the tops of the Sierra's. This view can be breathtaking—but once again, not today. Too much restriction on visibility.

As we walk up and down the ridge, we do get to enjoy the birds swooping from tree to tree. But they are over-shadowed by the dancing butterflies. The tiger swallow tails are everywhere, along with blues, checkers and others which I do not know. The site of them brings a sense of awe and serenity to the place. This scene replays itself throughout the trail, making for a visually satisfying day.



We eat lunch when we cross an access road. We have just descended down a long a hill on the ridge and come to the Azalea Trail junction. It is a pleasant overview of the Grant Grove area. We have new fare for lunch-Pita bread, cheese sticks and peperoni sticks. Rather plain—seems like it needs something more.

We take off and read the end of the Park Ridge Trail—when we come to the Park Ridge Lookout. When Steven and I have hiked this trail before, the lookout had been unmanned. But now, there are two volunteers up there. We find out that it is their first day there. This lookout and the Delilah lookout are staffed with volunteers from the Buck Rock Foundation. We spend an enjoyable time talking with the ladies. We then return to the car via the same route we came on, arriving back at the car at 4:10pm. An alternative route would have been to return via the access road.

June 12, 2012, Watchtower

Trail head: Wolverton

Hike Info:

Trail: Lakes Trail

Destination: heather Lake

Actual Destination: Watchtower

Distance: 7.1

Travel Time: 5:01

Moving Time: 3:35

Elevation Rise: 2,537 – maybe exaggerated by 200'

Maximum Elevation: 8,8908

Description:
Whenever we have done this hike, I have Jimi Hendrix's version of All Along The Watchtower running through my brain. Not that the two are the same or even related.

We get up to the Wolverton parking lot, near Lodgepole around noon. We make good progress. There are three 20 something year old “boys” from Oceanside which we meet up with. Two of them must be the first time out—one of them does not have a backpack and has things bundled with a rope. As we go along, we play leap frog with them. The trail goes along the spine of a ridge separating Wolverton from the Topokah Valley. So you get glimpses of the valley—nothing special, but tantalizing. Someplace I drop the GPS and it loses track of where we are and how high up we are.


Just before we get to the trail junction with the Panther Gap, we meet a couple of girls. They tell us that a mother bear and her two cubs are a bit nervous when other hikers have passed them by. This is on the Hump Trail. It is giving us pause to consider about using the Hump today.


The Hump Trail and the Watchtower Trail are both part of the Lakes Trail. The Lakes Trail goes to Heather, Emerald, Astor and Pear Lakes. All jewels of lakes in along this trail. Pear Lake I count as my first real backpacking trip with my Dad. It is a trip which helped me fall in love with the High Sierra.


But enough about past trips. We break for lunch around 1 about 40 yards from the junction. We are trying out dried peanut butter mix from Bell Plantation. It is ok, but it lacks a little something. We dip our crackers in Nutella and the peanut butter is now tasty. Isn't that true of almost everything Nutella touches?



We then meet a girl—another 20 something by our creek. She takes pictures of all sorts of things. Then quietly moves on. The boys have not caught up with us yet. We pack up and go on and quickly come to the junction. By this time, we have climbed 900+' in 1.8 miles. After the junction, we continue to climb nicely. We come to the junction with the hump. We decide that we will forget about Heather Lake and the Hump and go to the Watchtower. We play leapfrog with the girl now that we have lost track of the boys. We finally catch up with her for the final time at the Watchtower. We all admire the view—up and down the Topokah Valley. You see the full view of the falls and then on up to the Tablelands. Just a good view of the High Sierra's.

We talk with the girl—never finding out her name. But she is a ranger at Lodgepole. No hat or uniform on, so no ranger picture. She is from Ohio. We do invite her over when she comes down to Fresno for supplies.


She goes on to Heather, we return down the trail. The boys have caught up with us and Sherri gives them some sunscreen. They are thankful. I note that it is a lot easier going down the trail, than up it. Sherri comments she was going to say that, but did not want to look like a wimp—guess that leaves me with the wimp title. We quickly make it back down to the car, around 5pm. Then off to Fresno and dinner at Casa Quinterio.

June 11, 2012 - Lewis Creek Trail

Trail head: Cedar Valley

Hike Info:

Trail: Lewis Creek

Destination: Sugar Pine

Distance: 7.6 miles

Travel Time: 4:21, 1.75mph

Moving Time: 3:50, 2.00mph

Elevation Rise: 1,414

Maximum Elevation: 4,291

Description:

If you head north on highway 41, about halfway between Fresno and Yosemite is the town of Oakhurst. It is mostly a tourist town with commuters to Fresno. Traveling just a few miles more on 41, you will see, if you keep your eyes sharply open, a little side road called Cedar Valley Road. Go up the road, about a mile and a half and to the left is a little pull out road, with a sign saying trail. Stop here—you have reached our trail head.

Now most guidebooks say to just continue down highway 41 until you reach a turnout with a trail sign. But that meets the trail only half way. Most people start here—and we have done this as well. But to hike the full length of the Lewis Creek National Scenic Trail—that's right it is a National Scenic Trail—use the Cedar Valley Road trail head.

The reason why this is a National Scenic Trail is the trail runs along the creek the full way, there is plenty of plant and animal life to keep you busy. Plus there are two very attractive falls to enjoy. Ann-Marie Brown in her book, California Waterfalls, describes as pure enjoyment. And they are. Corlieu Falls is a series of cascades over rocks and around greenery. But Red Rock is a 20 foot drop over a red rock—the redness of the rock needs to be seen during low water times.

Starting at Cedar Valley, the trail rolls along, through pines, cedars and wildflowers for the first mile—if done in Spring or early Summer. Then when you hit a campsite, by the creek, the trail starts a 500' ascent over the next mile—it feels like it is a lot more, at least my old legs feel like it is. Some of the feeling is that the ascent is done steeply, then levels off and then the climb starts again. But just when you start wondering where the top is, you see the bottom of Corlieu Falls. And it is a beauty to behold. Not all of the great falls in the area are found in Yosemite.

Corlieu Falls is named after Clifford Corlieu, a local personality. He did some ranching and mining over near Friant. But his daughter lived near Lewis Creek. Once he saw the area, he fell in love with it. He even set up a resort of sorts at the top of the falls—it is no more and there is no remains to be seen. Just a flat place.



After climbing to the top of the falls, you walk along the remains of an old logging flume walkway. You reach the trail coming in from the highway 41 trail head. We keep going and cross a log—with nice railings to get on the east side of Lewis Creek. For the most part, the trail still is gently rising. It continues to follow the old logging flume path. That is until right before Red Rock Falls, when there is a pretty good, but short rise, taking you to the top of the falls.

To view Red Rock Falls, take a the side trail about 200 feet down to the top of the falls. The better viewing place is the bottom of the falls and there is a side path down to the bottom. We enjoy a snack and then go back to the top of the trail. Most guide books have you go back down the trail. But if you really want to finish the trail, like we did, you go about half a mile of up and down walking to the Sugar Pine road.



The return trip is down the same trail, just reversing the route. As a note: the shorter version of this trip from Highway 41 is found in the Falcon Guide book, Best Easy Day Hikes: Fresno by Tracy Salcedo-Chourre, page 59.