June 25, 2013 - Sunrise Creek

Title: June 25, 2013 - Sunrise Creek.

Start of Trail at Glacier Point

Hike Info:

Trail: JMT Segment: Glacier  Point  to Nevada Falls, then to Sunrise Creek

Starting location: Glacier Point

Destination: Sunrise Creek 

Distance:  10.57 miles 

Start Time: 10:37

End Time:  6:21

Travel Time: 7:43 (1.37  mph)

Moving Time: 6:20 (1.67 mph)

Elevation Rise:  2,969'

Maximum Elevation: 7,865'

 
 

Not where we started, but true start of JMT

 

Description:

Such clouds! Some people may say we are cheating, but when you see Half Dome surrounded by clouds, it is worth taking that chance. The clouds would hide the peaks and then let them appear. Just so mysterious and awe inspiring.

I started the day a little after 6. Sherri got up at 6:30. While we were all packed and pretty much ready to go, we sort of dallied-dallied around and did not leave until close to 8:30 or 8:45. Oakhurst was the next stop, at Subway sandwich for lunch and dinner. We got a couple foot long subs. We already had  our wilderness permit, so we did not stop in Wawona. Traveled up the Glacier Point Road and got to the parking lot around 10:15. Along the way, it was cloudy and it sprinkled some on the car.

But when we got to Glacier Point (37.72705, -119.5749), the clouds just made the views that much more jaw dropping beautiful. Pictures will not compare to the eye. Words leave a faint image. The clouds parting to make way for Half Dome to be seen. Then they draw back the drapes to hide it. This is the game we got to hike with for the morning.

We said our goodbyes to Steven who is our transportation and restock for Tuolumne Meadows. We even got to climb a ridge and wave goodbye to him as he drove off. Then it is time to descend into Illiluoette Creek. This is the first two plus miles and a thousand feet we go down. The trail is good and we make good time. We meet some kids from the Youth Civilian Community Corps (YCCC) group who are helping to maintain the trail. Thankful for them

YCCC Workers and Clouds

We come to the trail junction and head to the top of  Illiluoette Falls. We can hear the dull roar of falls, the sound being dampened by the humidity? It is the first time we have been on this trail and the falls from here are ever so much better than what you see on the Vernal Falls Trail. While not a large or tall falls, they remind you of lace covering rock as the come over the edge and drop down a couple hundred feet. 

We have lunch on the east side of the falls. Lunch is a quarter of our Subway sandwich. Then it is on to Nevada Falls, via the Panorama  Trail. We steeply climb out of the creek, up around 600-700'. Even with the clouds, such views. We look down and cannot see the trail to Vernal Falls. Great views of the Valley. Then you turn around and see the country where we are going.  So glad to be on this climb. The first time for this section.  We do talk with an above 55 year old hiking group from the Sacramento area.

Yosemite Falls

We then descend the 600' of our climb, down to the JMT and the top of Nevada Falls. Even with this short time away from Glacier Point, I am a bit jarred with the number of people at the top of Nevada. They were behaving well, just the number of people. We do not stop. A quarter mile away is a restroom which we do stop at. Here we find our first Mt Whitney sign: only 215 miles to go.

Illilouette Falls

We eat lunch at a quiet little beach just before Little Yosemite Valley. This gets invaded by some returning Half-Domers. But they leave after a few minutes.

We then start our climb up towards Half Dome Jct. it is one foot in front of another, but we do pretty good. Stop to rest on occasion. After climbing 800' or so, we have another bite of our sandwich at the jct, then continue on. There is a village of campers at the Clouds Rest Jct. We talk for a little while, then it is off towards Sunrise Creek.  We also talk with some PCTers-Instigator, No-Dae and Rehab, their trail names. They started two months ago at the Mexico border and expect to end up at the Canqdian border at the end of Sept. they are going to Yosemite Valley to send a few days off the trail. We exchanged knowledge of conditions. We found out that Muir Pass has the most snow, but should be pretty passable by now,

I will admit, there was a bit of just gritting it out on this. The pack today seems heavier than what I have been used to. But there is only one bear canister, so I am not sure why it feels heavy. The legs are also feeling tired. but we will make it. As I get into a rhythm, I am able to do OK. Around 5:45 we passed the spot which we camped at last year. Sherri just keeps on going. We eventually get to the spot which Andrea and stayed several years ago. We decide this is a good place to stop, and we do (37.75117, -119.48248).

Even though it has not rained today on us as hikers, we decide a tent would be good. It is a it humid. Also the mosquitoes have found us. Dinner is finishing off the Subway sandwich. Then we enjoy some wine-from a backpacking carafe which Steven gave Sherri-and some girl  scout cookies. Some deer have found us, but they keep to themselves. Then it is off to bed around 8. We watch an episode of MacGyver before we start to nod off.

Today's JMT Lesson: You only have what you are carrying.  (A witticism from Sherri).

Only 215 miles to go