May 28, 2014 - West Valley Loop

Title: May 28, 2014 - West Valley Loop

Trail head: Yosemite Chapel

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: West Yosemite Valley Loop

Destination: loop

Distance: 12.42 miles*

Original Map of Route

Start Time:  10:08
 

End Time:     4:37

Travel Time: 6:28 (1.92 mph)
 Moving Time: 4:48 (2.59 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,177'

Maximum Elevation: 4,094'
*I know that at least one other GPS on the trip had a higher reading than 12.4 miles.

Description:
The day started at 5 this morning. Sherri and I provided pancake breakfast for four of the group, then off to Kohl's to meet everybody. There are 16 of us. Stopping in Oakhurst to pick up Judy. We then head towards Yosemite and stop at the Valley Chapel  around 10. We spend a few minutes getting ready, when we notice a sign about parking, saying "Chapel Use Parking". But this time there is double arrows indicating the parking is for the Chapel, where before there was only a single arrow indicating it was ok to park in the other slots. But we find a person and ask him about parking. He says it is ok to park where we are, at least today.

Yosemite Falls

Last Fall when Sherri and I did this trail, we did it clockwise. But today with the expected temperatures being in the high 70's/low 80's, we want to take advantage of any shade we can. So counterclockwise we go. We head north across a trail bridge, just below Sentinel Bridge. We quickly come to the Yosemite a Falls bathrooms and make use of them. Then most of us wander up to the bridge at the base of the falls. While the falls are going pretty well, they are not going over like you would expect of them this early in the season. But we can stay here only a few minutes as we have a long hike ahead of us.

Gary in lecture mode-courtesy of Sandra

We find the trail which will lead us around the Valley floor.  I soon hear a sound I do not associate with the Valley-a leaf blower. I think that since this section is an ADA trail and is new, they are trying to keep it clean.  and it takes us past Camp 4. This is where I start my historical pitch about how historic this place is, even being on the National Historic Landmark registry. For the first part, I am hiking with Angel and Sandra, Bill and Richard. As we pass by the volunteer rescue cabins, I suggest looking at the Yosemite SAR site-it really is the Friends of Yosemite SAR. There are pictures there which continue to send chills down my spine, even after seeing them several times.

Sentinel Rock? Taft Point?

Merced River

As we were walking away from the Camp 4 area, we came across several lengths of webbing stretched between trees. I was questioned about what the webbing was for-slack lines, of course. Which led into what are slack lines for. Eventually, I came to you need to look at YouTube for slack lines, particularly Googling "slackline lost arrow". These videos will send you shaking. For example, the first slack line crossing of Lost Arrow is a good one. The usual trail talk goes on. But of course, we have the usual sights and sounds of Yosemite Valley. We debate if a rock across the way is Sentinel Rock or Taft Point. We see the cool Merced River when we cross over next to it. Pretty soon we have gone two miles without even noticing it.

 

Climbers on Nose

Are they ok?

When we get close to El Capitan, we start to notice climbers. Then more climbers, and then still more. The whole lower Nose area is littered with them. Robert, Kate's friend, noticed that some of the climbers still have their hanging cots and was wondering what was wrong-we never did find out what the story was there. But in the afternoon, we noticed a helicopter go through.

Angel, Sandra, Justice, Joseph counting climbers

Bridalveil Falls

We missed where I thought we would have lunch-the El Capitan picnic area. So when we hit the Woodpile, at the end of the Old Big Oak Flat Road, it was time for lunch. Kate suggests a site closer to the river. So we take off, crossing the North Rim Road at benchmark 3977 and head off along a ridge. We find a place and enjoy a time in the shade. Some even dipped their toes in the Merced.

Sandra and Joseph at Lunch

 When we get back on the trail after a 40 minute lunch, we start noticing that the trail is raked. Within a mile, we see a trail crew. After we pass a few people, I see a face I recognize. It is one of the people from a trail crew we met at Hetch-Hetchy at the start of the month. I have a nice chat with him, as I had earlier this month. We soon see several other pairs of workers. Finally, find a pull-out on the road called Valley View. One of ours would like to stop here-she has gone further than she thought she would.

Gary has them up a tree

Ribbon Falls and El Capitan

Valley View is close to Pohono Bridge. By this time, I am towards the back, but start to catch up more. Several people wanted to take a bathroom break at Bridalveil Falls, so they go off trail. I wait for the back of the pack. We continue on the trail until I figure we are close to the parking lot. Mistake! We went through about an eight of a mile, getting scratched up with berry vines and other things. Sorry about that my followers! But they did seem to survive. Then I find out no one of this group needed to use the facilities. If I had only asked, we would have continued with the trail and saved ourselves some grief.

Jelly Belly Man and Followers-courtesy of Sandra

By this time, the group is coming down the road and catches up to us. We cross back over the road and are back on the trail, on the south side. But another one of group has gotten to the extent of their level, so the person will wait for us at Bridalveil Falls parking lot. We continue on, picking up Lee along the only real climb of the trail. A little ways beyond that, another group is waiting for Jelly Bellies. Did I say I have been handing out Jelly Bellies through out the day? Sherri and Andrea certainly had a good idea when they came up with this.

Evidently the Jelly Bellies really revitalized them, because off they went. But by now, we were within three miles of our goal, and the trail is pretty level. So those of us in back just enjoyed ourselves, through the agony of the leg straining last miles. Lost Arrow started standing out in full relief with the afternoon sun creating a shadow. Yosemite Falls had its spray being kicked around with an afternoon breeze. Such a way to end a hike. Shortly afterwards, we arrive at the Chapel with the rest of the group lounging around.

Now to go and pick up the rest of the group which were at Valley View and Bridalveil. Then off to Oakhurst and Southgate Brewery. When we got to Oakhurst, the Brewery was crowded and one of the people in my car needed to get home soon. So off we went down the hill and got to Fresno around 7:30, tired, hungry but feeling like we accomplished something.

Yosemite Falls at end of day

Trail Lesson:

Have a plan; try to stick to it; tell someone if you are not.
Sherri's Trail Lesson: It is great to carry a first aid kit. Helping and bringing comfort to someone else gives a good feeling.