April 25, 2014 - Hite Cove

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Title: April 25, 2014 - Hite Cove

Trail head: South Fork, along Highway 140 at Savage Trading Post

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Hite Cove

Destination: Hite Cove

Distance: 7.09 miles

Start Time:  9:53

End Time:   2:49

Travel Time: 4:55 (1.44 mph)

Moving Time: 4:03(1.75 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,492'

Maximum Elevation: 1,705'

Description:

The usual start of a meetup hike: meet at Kohl's at 7 and then take off. We have a brief stop in Mariposa's Burger King for personal relief and continue up Highway 140, past Midpines untill we reach the Savage Trading Center, where we park across the road.

Mists and Clouds of the Day

We get on the trail a little before ten. Our trail starts to the side of the Center and gets going on a good climb up a paved driveway for a short distance, where we veer off to the right onto a dirt trail. This change in path does not stop the climb, but only the where we place our feet. After a quarter of a mile, we top this ridge and have the South Fork of the Merced River on our right. Across the River is a small group of large houses. They certainly would be nice to stay in.

Walking beside the South Fork of the Merced

But our eyes quickly turn to the task at hand, which is to walk this path. The obstacles before us includes many rocks to navigator over and around. The trail goes across a steep slope, ending in the Merced. But the trail is do-able, even in the rain.

Did I meant that it is raining? I have both my rain jacket and pants on. Most of the time, I have my hood off and letting a few drops wet what remains of my hair. But there are times we get a proper dowsing. But the one thing is with glasses, everything is either rain spotted or misted over-and not the far away mountains either. Even with the limited sight, I can tell the colors are more vibrant because of the rain, everything is somewhat of a blur. About this time, I think LASIK surgery might be a good thing.

Lupine and Poppies

I do see well enough to find some rather pretty flowers-lupine and poppies growing on the hillside; yellow, whites and purples all popping up around the trail. From my understanding this is not even a good year for wildflowers in these parts. So I wonder what this hike will be like next year.

After a couple of miles, we drop down to River level. Something special when you hear water rushing beside you, instead of 150' below. As we round a point, a rock platform gives an eye level view of the river, allowing a view up the river.  Our path continues on this course with a few rises and falls until we get to a small clearing where old mining equipment was left. Buckets, gears, and all kinds of heavy ironworks. One looks and wonders how in the world this got brought in? There is a old road over from Incline. Still this stuff is heavy. John tells of a miner who married an Indian princess. Following this, the chief gave the miner all kinds of help.

Merced River and Interesting Rocks

Merced River Hikers

Mining Equipment

A little ways beyond this, John shows us the ruins of the Hotel Hite. Some stonewalls, still in pretty decent shape, with the window shapes and door opening still discernible. I suspect if you slept here these days instead of sleeping a feather bed, you may sleep well with a bed of rattlers.

A short ways after this, some folks decide to turn around, but I press on with the dual mission of telling others that some of us are going back and to give my legs a good time to unwind. Group by group I come across folks who have made it to Hite Cove. The last of these are Kate and Wayne returning from exploring the meadow a little ways into the Cove. Wayne shows us a hut and "carport".  The carport is really a couple of pieces of metal sheet forming an inverted V- not really sure it was used as a carport, though. Wayne tells us a couple ghost stories from a backpack trip he did a couple weeks ago. Then we move on.

Hite Cove

But Kate wants to show me one more thing as we start our return from Hite Cove. About a hundred yards from the hut, there is some old rusted cable on the other side which looks like it might have spanned the Merced River at one time. On our side is an anchor and an iron pillar which would have held the wire. I speculate it may have been  a means to move what they were mining across the river. Also maybe people crossed the river in the bucket. There is a road across the way with no bridge. But you can see where it goes up on our side. Among some bushes Kate points out a large wheel or gear. All good to see and ponder the history of this area.

South Fork of the Merced

Speaking of pondering, sometime along a trail, you get into some interesting conversations. Such as when we talk about how somebody has integrity. But this is counter-balanced by what the Shadow radio program said, who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? Only the Shadow knows! While a person can have integrity, it is only when we are tested can we know if a person's will hold up to the stress and strain of testing. This is particularly true concerning faithfulness to ones spouse. While testing may prove the metal of a person, it also shows the fallibility as well. Much better not to be tested, except by need.

But enough of ponderings. Our return trip is in reverse. I get to enjoy a chat with Robert and Roger on the way back. Nothing deep or earth shaking. Just pleasant talk among fellow hikers. And before we know it, we are back to the car. John and Cathey leave us for family. But the rest of us head back to Oakhurst to the South Gate Brewing Company for some very good food-I had a meat pizza and Sherri a Bleu Burger. Then back to Fresno and our house by 6. A full and wet day.

Trail Lesson:

 Age does not necessarily bring wisdom, but it does bring an appreciation of situation.

There can be two opposite errors when we hike: always looking at the sights in the distance and not on the ground, forgetting attractions close by; and always looking at ones feet and never at the changing scenery.

South Fork of the Merced

Unnamed Falls

Merced and Trail close to start

April 22, 2014 - Yosemite Valley East Loop

Title: April 22, 2014 - Yosemite Valley East Loop

Trail head: Camp Curry Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: East Yosemite Valley Loop

Destination:Camp Curry Parking Lot

Distance: 9.20 miles ¹

Start Time:  9:57

End Time:   3:07

Travel Time: 5:09 (1.79  mph)

Moving Time: 3:41 (2.50 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,268' ²

Maximum Elevation: 4,255

Original Map of planned route

Description:
What a day and what a hike! This is a hike Sherri and I did last year and really enjoyed. So we have been encouraging others to take up this hike. Jerry J took up our challenged and after a rain delay a month ago we are set to walk the East Yosemite Valley Loop again. Now, this is a name Sherri and I have given this loop, so you probably will not find it too many other places.

Our day started with doing a breakfast of strawberry pancakes for a few people going on the hike. Then it was off to Kohl's to meet with the rest of the group. The sky is dark and as we head towards our first stop in Oakhurst, there is a few spots of rain on the windshield. Once inside Yosemite and as we climb up the skies become darker and the few drops which were on the windshield turns into a constant splatter of water. Then the water turns more flake-like into snow. None sticks on the road, but around the Glacier Point Road turnoff, the sides of the road has a slim coating of white. The question which comes into our minds is, will this snow follow us to the Valley? Will it become more of a storm instead of this fine dancing snow?

Mist towards Vernal Falls

We get to Camp Curry and start getting our rain gear on. While the rain's presence is made known, it is not intense, nor is there snow. So bundled up, and off we walk as a group to Happy Isles, less than a mile away. Happy Isles has a restroom, so we stop for a few minutes for relief. This will be the rhythm of our walk today. With 12 people, there is always a need for relief. Which is good because our route contains facilities every few miles.

As we wait at Happy Isles, the rain stops, but the mists in the mountains still cover these mounds in a shrouded of mystery. The water vapor floats in the ravines, lifting their skirts and then hiding the surrounding slopes. This is a season which I love Yosemite. Always changing, but a consistency behind this curtain of clouds.  This dance is well played out when we look up the Merced from Happy Isles or as we turn our gaze towards Half Dome. This dance will continue the rest of the morning.  While we are content to watch, we do have a hike to walk. But, before we leave, the Merced catches our attention showing how full and lively it is.

Merced River

Mist covering Half Dome

Our trail now heads north along the eastern base of the Valley wall. While always sensing the road is only 10-20 yards away, we do feel a bit of isolation. The road is used only for buses, service vehicles and those who are handicapped. This isolation is enhanced due to the lack of people on the trail. Even during the summer, this is a section of the Valley which you can withdraw to and see only a dozen people along its two mile course. A word of caution: neck strain can be a problem. First, because your gaze is always attracted upwards towards Half Dome as it loams above you. Also today with the clouds going back and forth, it is fascinating following them.

Half Dome

Just after a junction which follows the eastern part of Mirror Lake, we hit the now vacant road up to Mirror Lake. The trail passes over the Tenaya Creek Bridge. It does not disappoint us as there is a magnificent view of Half Dome. The rest of the walk up the road to Mirror Lake is a bit non-description, if anything in Yosemite can be called that. It is just pavement pounding.

Mirror Lake and Mt Watkins

But Mirror Lake makes up for the pavement pounding. It has been a long time since I have seen the lake look so, well, reflective. The last several years when I have seen it, there has been more gravel and stone than water and reflection. But today with the sky clearing and hardly any wind, the lake was showing the surrounding mountains, particularly Watkins, very clearly. So glad we came up today.

Jerry and Stone Garden

Then to Jerry J's joy, we spot the rock garden-a place where people have set up a monument to ducks-not the flapping wing kind, but that which is stone upon stone. These ducks are everywhere. I wonder who has the time to do them. I have a couple of thoughts about these gardens-I have seen them over by Yosemite Falls and in the Lodgepole campgrounds, to name a few places. First, there is something which causes me to pause when I observe these creations. It is fascinating how something so simple can be so attractive. On the other hand, these things can be so compelling that people will litter the landscape with them. Do I really want to see this when I come to Yosemite? Or anyplace else which I hike?

Stone Garden

Glacier Point

We now turn westward on our hike.We walk by the Indian Caves-unseen, under the Washington Column, and gaze up at the Royal Arches and the little bit of falls from them. Some horses pass us by and we get to follow them for a ways--we try not to get too close to them. But they turn off towards the stables and we continue on.

Yosemite Falls

The Ahwahnee hotel comes into view and we spend a few minutes touring through this historic and beautiful building, still alive with charm and majesty. But onward we go. As we get close to Yosemite Village, we see more and more people, but lose some of them as we climb the only real nice climb on our whole walk. This is the part which rises above the Village and to its north. From here we get to see Yosemite Falls more from the side. You can see the spray as the upper falls hits the rocks below.

I need to ask the Wilderness office about when do quotas occur, while Ursala wants to ask about getting a summer permit to climb Half Dome. Bill tags along to see what the excitement is about. The Wilderness Office is close, but Earth Day festivities are occurring. There is a booth concerning the Yosemite wilderness and so we stop in there to ask. And who do I see? Heidi! She has issued me many a permit from the Wawona Ranger Station and is the one who first recognizes me. So it is good to see her. I get to ask my question-the wilderness quotas start on May 1st. Heidi finds an alternative entry point to get an overnight permit for a Half Dome trip. Altogether a successful side trip.

Lunch Time Crowd

Yosemite Falls

We continue on to meet up with our group at Yosemite Falls. Sherri has gone down to look for me and is waiting below in the sun on a large rock. We have lunch, enjoy the falls, and get relief again. But now the general feeling is to start on our trip home. So instead of going down to Swinging Bridges, we cross Cook's Meadow and head to the Valley Chapel.

From the Chapel, we head eastward along a path which takes us past Housekeeping and Le Conte Memorial Lodge. It is not far now before we reach the intersection, close to Camp Curry. But first, Half Dome loams over us again as we gaze at it across Stoneman Meadow. If anything, Half Dome has grown more stately in this elegant setting. What a way to end this trip.

Gary Holding Court

After piling into our vehicles, we take off. But as we look back, the sight of the Valley is too much so we stop at Tunnel View and snap some pictures and take off back to Fresno. But some of us stop at Todd's in Oakhurst for our obligatory time to enjoy the BBQ cuisine. We end the day tired, but feeling good.

Yosemite Valley From Tunnel View

¹Note: When comparing the mileages from last Fall and this time, there is a three mile difference. The difference can be attributed to on our Fall hike, Sherri and I walked a mile further up the Mirror Lake area until we hit the Snow Creek trail. Secondly, after hitting Yosemite Falls, our return trip went via Swinging Bridges, instead of going directly to the Valley Chapel like we did this time.

²Note: The elevation gain always seem way too much. But that is what the GPS said. The only way which I can see we gained so much is through little ups and downs, with a few 100' rises.

April 18, 2014 - Vernal and Nevada Falls

Title: April 18, 2014 - Vernal and Nevada Falls

Trail head: Camp Curry/Happy Isles

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Vernal Falls/Mist Trail/John Muir Trail

Destination: Vernal Falls

Actual Destination: Nevada Falls

Distance: 9.13 miles

Start Time:  10:24

End Time:     4:53

Travel Time:  6:29 (1.41 mph)

Moving Time: 4:32 (2.01 mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,095'

Maximum Elevation:  6,089

Description:
We get going at 6am to The Train Depot-the we is Steven, Sherri and I. Breakfast was an enjoyable feast of Belgium Waffles, Eggs, and The Train Wreck-I will let you imagine what that plate is like! Of course, one cannot go to the Train Depot without having some of their biscuits and gravy. Filling breakfast so we can have a good day on the trail. We meet our mid-week group at Kohl's and are on the highway heading for Yosemite Valley by 7:10. With a quick rest stop at the Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp, we get to the Valley a little after 10. and hit the trail before 10:30.


At the backpacker's parking lot, there is a sign which says, Parking Full, so I and another car turn back and go to Camp Curry to start. Not bad, just gives us another half mile of exercise. I catch up to John and tell him that the rest of us will meet his group at Happy Isles. The morning is still cool so the steep grade up to Vernal Falls does not seem so bad. I am towards the back of the group, but that is OK with me. As John says, it is not because I have to hike at the last, but because I want to. He understands that going at a pace which allows you to ponder what you see fills your soul with the beauty of the place.

Rainbow caused by Vernal Falls

But sometimes it is good to disguise your huffing and puffing with the pondering and gazing. Such as when we get to the end of the first good climb, we look back at Yosemite Falls. Or a little while later be startled that Illilouette Falls has so much water in it on such a dry year. Illilouette is one of the less notable, but pleasing falls. It hides itself in a crevice, out of sight of most of the trail. But for a brief quarter of mile stretch can we get a glimpse of its smile. The steep decline after falling from the cliffs above help to give it a stand-offishness appeal.

Vernal Falls and Mist Trail

Sherri and Donna

It is a short ways further to the bridge across the Merced, below Vernal Falls. Such beauty-always something to appreciate. But now our group starts up the Mist Trail. This is probably one of the few trails I really do not like. So steep and slippery and generally there is enough foot traffic going in both direction to have the feeling of danger. Fortunately today, the mist is not bad-I can still see out of my glasses. Also even though this is Spring Break, the traffic is reasonable. So I am content with just taking a step up and enjoying the view-and glad we are going down a different way! All of our group make it up, some with a bit of youthful excitement, others with the contentment of enjoying the cool mist. All with jaws dropping on the view.

Nevada Falls

When we get to the top, our group splits. Most of us, including the four who are in my car, will go up to Nevada Falls. The four of us-Sherri, Steven, Donna and I leave together. Matt and Sue pass us up and Donna and Steven go on ahead, leaving Sherri and I to be the last ones up. I do not think I have seen Nevada Falls looking as awesome as today. The layers of water coming doing against the flat cliff rocks just is a sight to see-glad I have pictures. This is one of those places where the eye candy is well placed with the steepness of the trail. Such as Grizzly Peak across from us or Nevada Falls thundering down beside us. All part of the scenery.

Grizzly Peak

But eventually these good things end and we reach the top. Bathroom break time and then a short walk down to the top of Nevada Falls. Our group is waiting for us-we are the last ones-and gives us a round of applause. Enjoyable time relaxing in the sun and seeing the Merced River flow by us.  We had made PB&Nutella sandiches, but alas, they got left at home. So we contented ourselves with gorp, Clif bars, granola bars and jelly bellies. Life could be worse. We did get offered oysters. Even though Shakespeare noted that the world is like an osyter-and we had done our work to climb this small part of the world-oysters are not for me.

Top of Nevada Falls

Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls

The group starts to break up and we start down. Crossing the Merced on a bridge gives such a spectacular view of the gorge below us. The Merced spilling and spraying as it leaps over the side and we see where we came from through the spray. We are now on The John Muir Trail and we quickly pass by the junction with the Panorama Trail from Glacier Point-where we came in on last year. Next, there is the cliffs which gives the iconic views of Nevada Falls and Liberty Cap. Even though the trail is easy at this point, we stop several times. With the drops of water coming down from the moss, it is cool and refreshing.

Half Dome, Mt Broderick, Liberty Cap

But we quickly move into the more direct line and start the serious descent down to Clark's Point.  The entire area is open to our gaze so it is hard to keep the eyes both on the trail and on the beauty-so much like life. We get so busy worrying where to put our foot next, we forget to look around and enjoy ourselves, like seeing Yosemite Falls across the way.  Brian, whom we thought was ahead of us passes us by, then the rest of the group comes by. Sandra and Donna tag along with Sherri, Steven and I as we continue down.  Finally Sandra tags off, along with Donna. Steven has left us as well so Sherri and I just enjoy our time on the trail.

Yosemite Falls from JMT

After crossing the Merced on the bridge under Vernal Falls, I show Sherri a couple of places where there were old trails. One we call the Dr. John trail because our old GP told us about the trail from below Vernal Falls to the top of Nevada. I found it in early March. Also as we get down further, I remember Lee F telling me where to find the start of the Sierra Point trail, close to the Rockslides sign. We pick up Donna at the Happy Isles bridge. Donna is going to do Mt Whitney in July, so I should her the sign which said she only has 211 more miles to go-fortunately for her, she is starting at Whitney Portal, so she will have only 8 or 9 miles to the top.

Looks like everybody else has left, so we high tail it to Todd's in Oakhurst. A Muslim could not be more faithful in his devotion to go to Mecca than us to Todd's. 10 minutes before we get there, John text's us asking if we are off the trail yet? They are at Todds as well. Enjoyed our meal and headed home to a nice shower.

The Falls:

Illilouette Falls

Yosemite Falls

Nevada Falls

Vernal Falls

April 15, 2014 - Redwood Saddle via Hart Tree

Title: April 15, 2014 - Redwood Saddle via Hart Tree

Trail head: Redwood Canyon

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail:  Fallen Goliath and Hart Trail

Destination:Redwood Saddle

Distance: 6.11 miles

Start Time:  10:33

End Time:     5:09

Travel Time: 4:36 (1.33 mph)

Moving Time: 3:25 (1.79 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,631'

Maximum Elevation: 6,564

Description:

Last night was awesome. There was a full lunar eclipse. We got up at 11:45 and watched it till it was full, around 12:05. Not as red as the newspapers would have us believe, but watching the last of the silver light escaping from the moon was just fascinating. But it was cool, so we turned in.

Realized I had not sent a Spot message last night. But I think everybody realizes that the I'm OK message is not a guarantee. So I am sending it out this morning. Last night Sherri and Jerry heard what sounded like an alarm clock going off. This morning heard it myself. I think it must be the twirl of a bird. Now which one?

Before everyone got up, I went for a short walk down the canyon. I had fiddled around long enough that this walk will not be too long. The term down the canyon is a misnomer. Yes it is down the canyon, but the 3/4 of a mile I go is climbing a small ridge, which is OK with me. I am more thinking, praying and meandering than really walking. It is nice-birds are talking and squirrels are scurrying, and the morning is cool, but not cold. The sounds I heard last night may have been an Oregon Junco. They seem to have no fear of me-not flying away, just singing or whatever they call their sounds.

When I return, everyone is up and we have our breakfast of oatmeal and fruit and nuts. We are slow in getting packed. But it is enjoyable to move slow around the camp. But one side effect is that it is later when we actually do get on the trail

Log Crossing Redwood Creek

It is 10:30 and we are just starting on the trail again.  The first little bit is backtracking up the trail to the log across Redwood Creek. After us safely making it across the log, we start our climb. It does not take long for us to start climbing. And not too much after that before we stop for breath. This will be the routine as we do our climb up the south side of the canyon.

We do the 3/4 of a mile to the Fallen Goliath pretty quickly. Steven shows he is the youngster of the group by climbing up on this mammoth fallen sequoia and walking on it. The rest of us are content to gaze up at him. We do a picture take here. Then it is off to continue on our walk up.  Note: This is the last time we will have seen the Fallen Goliath. On April 23rd, a man set fire destroyed this log.

Men at the Fallen Goliath

Prettiness surrounds up. But I am sure that prettiness is not the word to describe how regal these trees look. And to think we are able to walk in the midst of them. So impressive. One particular seen has the redwood in the background with a Meadow front stage. There is a redbud a few weeks away from bloom. Anyplace else, this Meadow would garner second and third looks. But here, it is overshadowed, literally by the big trees.

Steven on top of Fallen Goliath

Fallen Goliath as it was

Lunch at the falls

 We stop beside a little unnamed creek, maybe a quarter mile before the Hart Tree. While not a good lunch place, we did have lunch here, it made up for up the lack of accommodations with this pleasant little waterfall, which has cut a small, narrow groove through 20' of rock. We are about to leave when a group of college students come up and have lunch here as well. We talk with them and leave.

Hikers

The Hart tree, named after Michael Hart, is a little ways off the trail. We meet another couple who is enjoying the trail and wants to know how far down the Fallen Goliath. We talk for a time. They leave and we enjoy the tree for a few minutes before we also depart.

Hart Meadow and Buena Vista Peak

The trail has now pretty much reached its peak and we walk some rolling ravines and ridges. When passing by Hart Meadow, there is an opening which reveals Buena Vista Peak, where an old fire lookout once stood. There are a few exposed places and the afternoon sun cuts through our clothing. Fortunately, when it becomes warm, we dive into forested areas.

Hiking among the redwoods

Redwood Split

We reach a hollowed out log cabin and then the junction to the Redwood Canyon Trail. From here we start our last quarter mile trudging up an old road. Steven and Jerry have already made it up to the car, while Sherri and I complete our walk out. On the way back to Fresno, we stop for some vitals at Bear Mountain Pizza. Good to eat when hungry.