Gary-Summer: November 12, 2014 - Old Wawona Road (Ft Monroe)

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

November 12, 2014 - Old Wawona Road (Ft Monroe)

Title: November 12, 2014 - Old Wawona Road (Ft Monroe)

Trail head: Bridalveil Falls Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Old Wawona Road

Destination: Ft Monroe

Distance: 5.09 miles

Start Time: 10:32

End Time: 2:44

Travel Time: 4:09 (1.23 mph)

Moving Time: 2:44 (1.86 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,413'

Maximum Elevation: 5,391'

Description:

Old Wawona Road

A Wednesday without a meetup hike. How novel. But we did join with our friend Rose for a day in Yosemite. Around 8 we picked up Rose and went on up to Yosemite Valley. It was time to buy our annual permits-maybe for the last time since next year we turn 62. But it goes to our parks so that is not a bad thing. We arrive at the Bridalveil Falls parking lot a little before 10:30. Actually we park about a quarter mile up from the parking lot, just a 100' from the W1 milepost.

Old Wawona Road

Across from us we see the remnants of the Old Wawona Road. There are some branches and boulders across the road's entrance. The road has a nice grade up, not too bad, but enough to let you know you are walking up. We quickly slip to a forested area and see the numinous of Autumn in the golden and red leaves around us. Between the yellowing leaves of the dogwoods to the occasional reds in the maples, we are confronted by color, the color of the earth turning to rest.

Then we pass both Meadow and Artist Creeks before coming to Artist Point. Those old artists had the right idea. The view is just so good. Of course, we stop and gawk and take pictures. But there is more than just a mile and a half of walking today. We shortly get to the junction with the Pohono Trail going to Inspiration Point. But our route continues along the gentler Old Wawona Road. While the scenery is good, it is not classic Yosemite Valley view, but the road is enjoyable.

Artist Point View

I should have described the Old Wawona Road before now. The road itself used to be paved. But over time, the asphalt has worn look. In places you think a car, a small car, could still drive it it-only for a very short way. Then the pavement gives way to where water has worn small gullies to rock. Or a tree has fallen across our path-this is an unmaintained trail after all. Rocks have fallen on the pavement. But the road is very walkable. You just need to be able to pick up your feet.

We hit a couple switchbacks which raises up a a couple hundred feet and brings us to a shoulder and view across the Valley, or gorge at this location. We see the Fireplace Bluffs and the Cascade drainage. In this clearing we think stood Ft Monroe, our destination. There is a 3" pipe coming out of the ground close by and it matches a slide we saw on a Tony Krizan slide. We did not realize this was the place until after we left. But about 75' away, there should have been a garbage dump. We will need to come back another day to do a closer examination.

Instead we continue on the Old Wawona Road. This part for the next third of a mile is a bit overgrown. One large fallen log forces us to circumnavigate it, but the going is still pretty easy. A bit a ways we come up over a small ridge and are greeted by a group of college students playing Frisbee. How did they get here? We quickly realize we have come up on the back of New Inspiration Point. This is a lot easier than charging straight up the hill to it.

Inspiration Point

Not only is it easier, but as we wander around, we come to a ledge which has been used as a campsite. And what a campsite this would make! The view from a tent in the morning would be spectacular. Sun rising over Half Dome, sunset colors playing on El Capitan. Just thinking about it makes me want to camp there now. Instead, we ate lunch and enjoyed what we saw.

Instead of returning back via the road, we of follow the trail down to the Old Wawona Road. It is steep. But there is one more view we gather in before hitting the road. It rivals our lunch view, but I give the lunch view an edge on beauty. We follow the Old Wawona Road back down, stopping again at Artist Point.here we see the difference of morning and afternoon lighting the Yosemite walls.

Artist Point of View

We get back to the car around 2:45pm. Then head back to Fresno. But first we stop in Oakhurst at Remiers for ice cream. After all, it was too early for dinner and we needed something to reward us. A good day and a good hike.