October 30, 2013 - Yosemite Valley Loop, East End

Title:  October 30, 2013 - Yosemite Valley Loop, East End

Hike Info:

Trail: Yosemite Valley Loop, East End

Starting location:  Yosemite Valley Chapel

Destination:  Yosemite Valley Chapel

Distance:  12.1 miles

Start Time: 11:45am

End Time: 5:00pm

Travel Time: ( mph)

Moving Time: 4:07 (2.9 mph)

Elevation Rise:

Maximum Elevation:

Description:

What a difference a week makes. And I am not talking about the difference in hiking nor that I am now 60. But just the scenery and environment. The Valley is still clothed in its Fall colors, but the colors are a bit more shabby than last week. But there is a fresh mantle of snow on the rim. Half Dome is attractive with his crown of white. Glacier Point's shoulders has a snowy crust. The air is more than nippy-it is downright cold.

Even with a late start-we hit the trail at 11:45-it is just above freezing. We see several frozen puddles of water. But that is why we layer our clothes. I am wearing a t-shirt, a pair of silks and a smart wool top. Also my lightweight raincoat is over all of that, along with gloves.

Stoneman Meadows and Half Dome

We head east out of the chapel area. It is pretty easy terrain.  We quickly pass by Housekeeping and the new residence areas, coming out close to Camp Curry. We do take a side excursion to wander over Stoneman Bridge for a few Capture California points.

Stoneman Meadow has sunshine on it, so we go by it rather than through Camp Curry-it is warmer that way. A mile farther, we make use of the facilities at Happy Isles, and then take a lunch break at the start of the JMT.

Glacier Point

After lunch, we walk the east end of the Valley loop over to Mirror Lake, about two miles from our lunch spot. Along the way, one lady mumbles and looks at me and says, John Muir. I raise my hat in acknowledgement, smile and continue walking. When we get to where Mirror Lake should be-it is dry, there are some people from Rogue River, Oregon. We comment that we just came from there and that they should be sure to stop at Rogue Roasters coffee shop-my cousins place. They said they already do enjoy their coffee. Small world.

After not seeing Mirror Lake, we continue up Tenaya Creek. We are getting neck strain from looking at Half Dome. Clouds Rest is before us with its western flanks covered by a thin layer of snow. Just beautiful. We come to the Snow Creek junction. At this point, are forced to turn around since the trail looping around Mirror Lake is closed from 2009 rockslide.

Half Dome through Autum Leaves

We retrace our steps and return back to Mirror Lake. The west trail we take as it will continue our loop around the Valley. This is a bit more rock with some up and down. We stop for our second lunch around 2.  Traveling  past Washington Column and Indian Caves, we come to the Ahwahnee Hotel. A few pictures are taken and then we move on.

There are five climbers in the rocks above the Ahwahnee. We watch them for a few minutes, then come to the Village. I have a question so we go into the Visitor Center. Afterwards it is on to the Ranger's Club for it a historical value. We are close to finishing up our hike, so we wander on down to the bathrooms at Yosemite Falls, along a paved path. To add a little more to our trip, we go back via Swinging Bridges. That is when we discovered our Capture California flag is missing. It has served us well. We make it to the car by five. A good hike.

Yosemite Falls and Reflection

We decide to see if the flag was dropped in the bathroom. Nope, but we did find it on the trail by where we parked the car. Yipee! Now it's on to fill our belly at Todd's and then on home.