May 14, 2014 - Little Yosemite Valley

Title: May 14, 2014 - Little Yosemite Valley

Trail head: Happy Isles

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail: John Muir Trail

Destination: Little Yosemite Valley

Distance: 5.55 miles

Start Time:  11:16

End Time:     3:42

Travel Time: 6:26 (0.86 mph)

Moving Time: 2:55 (1.90 mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,589'

Maximum Elevation: 6,192

Bill

Description:
Got up a bit before 6 and had my quiet time until waking Sherri at 6:15. Then it is meal prep for our breakfast with Brian, Jerry and Bill. Sherri is making waffles for the hikers who arrive at 7. Everybody feels content and we leave Fresno by 7:45. So far a good start. We grab sandwiches at Oakhurst, where Heather waits on us-remember Heather? She is the one who finished cleaning up Sherri's and mine wine mess a month ago. Anyway, off we go to Wawona to pick up our permit and be off. But unfortunately Wawona cannot issue the permit-they are not fully open yet-Heidi is not here. So off we go to Yosemite Valley where we quickly get our permit from the Wilderness Office. 

But the end story on this, we do not get walking until 11:00-a lot later than I was hoping for.  The sun is already warming the Valley, but out walk from the backpackers parking lot to Happy Isles is under the shade of trees, which keeps down the heat and makes for easier walking. The first mile gets us to the foot bridge below Vernal Falls. This is a well known paved path for all of us. We are in pretty good shape.

Lunch Break courtesy of Brian

Half Dome, Mt Broderick, Liberty Cap

Here we start climbing up the John Muir Trail. None of us are interested in going up the Mist Trail, particularly with packs on. But the JMT has its scenic advantages as well. For one, as you climb, you get to enjoy the same scenes from different perspectives. Such as Yosemite Falls framed through trees or both Vernal and Nevada Falls  from side views with Half Dome, Liberty Cap and Mount Broderick all looking at you. Plus, the climb up is gentler, if you can call a 2,000' climb gentle. So it is at least easier on the body.

Nevada Falls

Top of Nevada Falls

At Clark's Point, we stop for our lunch. It is hot, but we have been mostly shaded. Most of our climb is out of the way. Still there is a two mile push to the top of Nevada Falls. Just about as you despair of reaching the top, you notice that you are almost level with Nevada. Then a gentle rise brings you to the cooling drip of the cliff where you enjoy the best view of Nevada which I have seen. As we pass the junction with the Panorama Trail, we drop down to the top of the Falls and enjoy a few moments of rest and energy bars under the shade of a tree.

Entering Little Yosemite Valley

Merced River

Now for a short 200' rise up past the junction of the Mist Trail and we are in Little Yosemite Valley. Brian wonders where the path up Liberty Cap is? We speculate about every little opening in the manzanita. But none of these are it. The comment is made that that is not something to do in shorts. The trail follows close to the Merced River, giving us both cooling to the skin and refreshment to the eyes. Before long, we cut off to the campground area. Our camp spot is #16.

Camp Courtesy of Brian

 The other men pitch their tents, but since the weather is good and the mosquito's are not out, I decided to sleep under the stars. It is still early, around 4:30, so we go to the beach to enjoy the cold Merced waters and the warmth of the sun. I had scooped up some water in my Base Camp filter, when it was noticed the filter was leaking. The "O" ring had gotten stretched and no long fit nicely. But we still got filtered water, but just several more trips to the river. After the last of our Subway sandwiches, Jerry breaks out the cards and we play hearts, well past when we should have. At 10, fold up and hit the sleeping bags and watch the almost full moon come out before going to sleep.