May 15, 2014 - Sub-Dome and back to car

Title: May 15, 2014 - Sub-Dome and back to car

Trail head: Little Yosemite Valley

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail:  Half Dome

Destination: Sub-Dome

Distance:  7.10 miles

Start Time:   8:55

End Time:    2:50

Travel Time: 5:54 (1.20 mph)

Moving Time: 3:57 (1.80 mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,259'

Maximum Elevation:  8,100'

Description:

I slept well, albeit the bag seemed a little cold. But that was remedied by putting my socks on. By the time I got up Brian was already pacing about, the sun was shining and the hour hand had already passed by 7. It is a bright and beautiful morning. We decide that hoofing it up towards Half Dome was in our future. Brian is thinking about trying Clouds Rest. So we had our breakfast of oatmeal and toppings, along with Tang, coffee, tea and chocolate before getting to the trail around 9.

Half Dome and Sub Dome

Clouds Rest

By this time Brian had already decided to charge forward to do Clouds Rest. I realized there was no way I would keep up with him, so I decided to adopt the role of chief encourager to Bill and Jerry on our trip toward Half Dome. We realized that we would not make it that far, but would try to go at least as far as the base of Sub Dome. At the Clouds Rest junction, I walked a little ways with Brian, but then turned back around. We did see some scat, which we did not identify, but looking at a book I have, I think it was something like coyote.

Side of Tenaya Canyon courtesy of Bill

Jerry, Bill and I continue on our climb up the ridge leading towards Half Dome. Slowly the Quarter Domes come into view on our right, with the promise of more scenic glory to come. There is the appropriate sounds coming from our lips when we reach the ridge top and see out across Tenaya Creek. Pywiack Cascade takes center stage for his act with Mt Watkins across the way. We see Brian's objective, Clouds Rest in back of the Quarter Domes. Then further back, is the country towards the Tioga Pass Road. So good.

But the trail leads even more upward from here. Fortunately, the scenery only gets better. We stop often to take pictures and enjoy the sight before us. Not only to the north do we see, but towards the south and east. Mt Starr King directly to the south with the Merced River drainage to the east. There is a snow pack back there, but not for long.

Snow Creek courtesy of Bill

As we reach Sub Dome, we do see spots of snow in the shade, but not much. We turn aside and have a snack looking across the Tenaya Creek canyon. Snow Creek Falls is right across the way from us. You can see the trail zig-zagging down, just being glad we are not on it right now, but I our hearts wishing we could be. North Dome and Basket Dome are a pair facing us. It is wonderful to be here.

Tenaya Canyon

Half Dome from the side

I induce Jerry to go a little ways up Sub Dome. The ranger stationed at the bottom says that they are almost done putting up the cable on Half Dome. But we are only interested in seeing a little more of a view above tree level. Climbing up another 150' we get that view. The stairs are rather unnerving, so we do not go very far. But the view is so open to make things worthwhile.

We descend, enjoying the views retreat from  our view. But we savior them as they leave us. I finally find the spring I was looking for on the way up. Another tree had fallen and some rounds had been cut, block it from view. Also, the spring was more mud than bubbly, not nearly as appealing as it had been in previous years. 

View From from Sub-Dome

We also meet two backcountry rangers on a training hike. Ranger Kahn will be north of Tuolumne Meadows along the PCT. I pick her brain about places to go for later on this summer. The other ranger is stationed out of Merced Lake. Fun seeing these rangers up

here.

Clouds Rest from Ridge

We get back to camp close to 3. Lunch is PB, Nutella and crackers, plus leftover goodies. The water filter is almost coming to a stop. Later on when I open it up, it really has a lot of stuff on it. So it is time to replace it. Bill goes to the river and wets his feet and fills his bottle. Brian comes in at 3:15 after successfully conquering Clouds Rest.

Half Dome From Clouds Rest courtesy of Brian

Brian on top of Clouds Rest courtesy of Brian

Trail head: Little Yosemite Valley

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail: John Muir Trail

Destination:  Return back to car

Distance:  5.73 miles

Start Time:   4:04

End Time:    7:03

Travel Time: 2:58 (1.93 mph)

Moving Time: 2:35 (2.22 mph)

Elevation Rise:  326'

Maximum Elevation:  6,237'

Description:

After our semi-morning hike, it is time to return to the car. For the most part, the route is a repeat of our trip up. That is except for about half a mile right at the start. Instead of going by the river, go north and then take the diagonal. Brian and I see our Liberty. Cap path, about half-way on the diagonal, at its high point. Bill and Jerry have zoomed ahead while Brian and I lolly gag in back.

We hit the bridge over Nevada Falls, which confirms our thoughts that more water is flowing down the Merced than yesterday. The turbulence of the waters is mesmerizing, the violence of its rush over the side has a pull, but not an attraction. The rush contrasts with the stillness of the backdrop.

Liberty Cap courtesy of Bill

Jerry, Gary, Bill, Brian

But we need to go on since the hour is getting late and we want to be down before dark. Still Brian and I accosted some out of state folk and explained some of the wonders of Yosemite for about a mile. We even gave them some decent advice about what to do on a limited amount of time when close to Glacier Point. Wonder if they will ever come back to the Golden State? But just to show that I am a serial trail chatterer, I started talking with an English girl. She wanted to know about various parts of the Valley since she only had the next day to move on.

Brian was starting to feel the length of his hike, so he started to speed up. So I hiked with Bill and Jerry the rest of the way down. The car was a welcome sight when we come in around 7. On homeward we went, but nit before stopping at that Mecca of Oakhurst-Todd's! Perfect way to end our hike. Pleasantly content to make it back to Fresno by 10. The shower and bed felt good.