November 11, 2015 - East Yosemite Valley Loop

Title: November 11, 2015 - East Yosemite Valley Loop

Trail head: Camp Curry

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Valley Loop Trail

Destination: Loop

Distance: 11.26 miles ¹

Start Time:  10:18

End Time:     4:22

Travel Time: 6:03 (1.86 mph)

Moving Time: 4:46 (2.36 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,655'

Maximum Elevation: 4,277'

 ¹I am not sure about the mileage or times. My GPS did not pick up the satellites until after Happy Isles. This is not unusual, with the narrow and steep Valley walls and tree cover, the GPS has a hard time picking up its points.  Also, there is a few places I went back to make sure everybody was accounted for. I think the proper mileage is between 11.5 and 12.0 miles. A Fitbit got 13+ miles, while a phone was between 9 and 10 miles.

The dotted blue line on the map shows the part which there is no GPS track.

Description:
The day after this hike, I woke up with my upper legs all sore and when I walked, it was more of a shuffle for a few minutes. I really could not get a stride going. So maybe this hike was a bit more than what I thought it was, or maybe I just was not in good enough shape for it. But yesterday, I was feeling great, even carrying around a bear canister half full of cookies.

On Wednesday, got up at 5:20, but really did not feel like getting up. We shall see how I do today. We got to Kohls at 6:45 and are the first ones there. But not for long as our meetup folks filter in. Rebecca and Mike have called and said they have been waylaid by car troubles so they will not be able to make it. One person did not show, so we have 16 of us, including the five who we pick up in Oakhurst.

Mossicles

Cold!

After we a pit stop at Chinquapin, we arrive at Camp Curry around 9:45, maybe a little bit later than I would have liked it to be. But we do hit the trail before 10, just barely. I have asked that we do not use the bathroom facilities at Camp Curry, but go on to Happy Isles just because it will be less time waiting. I think this morning that is a good thing. What I saw on the forecast was someplace in the 40's for the temperature with clear skies. When we step out of the car, it is 31, but with clear skies. We never cleared the 40 degree mark. It is brisk and we all want to get moving fast, which we do. By 10:15 we hit Happy Isles and the bathrooms.

Path around Mirror Lake

Now the real walking starts as we cross the east end of the Valley. I had indicated that a shorter route could be taken if people wanted to. Everybody felt up to the additional three miles so off we go around Mirror Lake and up Tenaya Canyon. It turns out that for some of us, the additional miles are a stretch, but all will make it and were happy that they did. Also there is general agreement that Tenaya Canyon would be the surprise hit of the hike.

Out path with snow

As nobody took the short route, we started going around Mirror Lake, first on the east side, skirting Mirror Lake and past the Ahwiyah Point rock-slide. It is cold and we are in the shadows of Half Dome. So nobody wants to stand around and dawdle too much. I am towards the lead and Sherri is preforming the sweep duties. We cross frozen puddle, find mossicles-icicles formed on moss, and trees covered with snow. But there is this unexpected beauty which we are finding and enjoying. The path at times is just a strip of dirt surrounded by snow. The forest's deciduous trees have either shed their leaves or are turning colors. Not vibrant, but a bit subdued, like they have had a long hot summer and it must be a relief to embrace the coldness of the air we are walking through.

Mt Watkins and Mirror Lake

Half Dome

But the forest is not the only star attraction. We have Mirror Lake, Half Dome, and Mt Watkins all vying for attention. Just hiking among these giants can uplift your spirits, let alone on a day like today. We pass by gingerly the rock-fall, not so much from fear of more rock falling-in Yosemite with the sheerness of its slopes, that is always a possibility. But more out of a reverence from the  obvious strength of the fall. The burst of air from the rock fall sheered off the tops of trees through force of its wind blast.

Ahwiyah Rock Fall

Cedars

As we get to the far side of the loop, we cross the Tenaya Creek on a bridge-there is a second bridge which crosses the dry Snow Creek. Here we wait for awhile for the last part of the group. This is the first place which we see the sun and it feels good. After awhile they catch up and we start the leg back to Mirror Lake. I am now sort of in the middle and realize that there is a junction ahead which I would like to turn off on. So I race ahead. But being a wise group, they waited at the junction for further instructions.

Washington Column

We take the trail leading away from the old road area, the one which during the summer is full of horse residue, but now is pretty nice. After awhile, we stop at a outhouse, then continue on. We pass under an assortment of cliffs and rocks-Washington Column, Indian Caves and Royal Arches before finally coming to the Ahwahnee Hotel.

Glacier Point from the Ahwahnee

We have lunch outside of the hotel on the public tables. It is later than I was thinking it would be-about 2:15 before we take off from the hotel. I am concerned that with the sun setting about 4:30 or sooner behind the south rim of the valley, it will get dark. Also cold. So our stop is a bit briefer than most of us would like it. But before we go, I pass out cookies-you know those cookies I said I lugged around in the opening paragraph. Those cookies.

Lower Yosemite Falls

Fall Colors and Yosemite Falls

It is only about a mile and half to Yosemite Falls from the Ahwahnee and we hurry on this trail. It has the only good grade on the whole trip. I need to stop once to catch my breath-I am out of shape. I come in towards the last and am gazing at the Falls when a little wind lifts my hat and sends it off down under the bridge. This is the one time it is good the Yosemite Creek does not have much water. I am able to scramble down the bank and retrieve the hat. From the way our group is taking pictures you would think this is the first time we have seen these Falls. But you know, anytime you see these Falls, they are special.

Half Dome

After a bathroom break, it is time for our final leg back to the cars. We cross Cook's Meadow which gives us a wonderful view of where we have been walking all day: Half Dome, North Dome, Clouds Rest, Sierra Point and the Merced River.

Sierra Point

Clouds Rest

The path along Southside Drive is paved. Between being in the evening shadows, the increasing cold, we start hitting patches of ice on the asphalt. While I do not know of anybody who went down, I know I slipped several times and had to do some balancing to remain upright. At this point, I think we are all in a hurry to get back to the warmth of the cars and not slip on the ice. So not much effort was made to do final looks at the grand views of Yosemite. We do get back to the cars at 4:20, very happy and satisfied with the day.

El Capitan at Sunset

But wait, what hike ends on us just going home? We stop at El Cid's in Oakhurst. But you know, sometimes Yosemite likes to show off before we leave the clutches of its allure. We all felt we had a jolly good day, if not one of the better days you could have in Yosemite. Not many people, besides it being cold, it was a beautiful day. Clear skies, snow on the ground and leaves starting to turn. So what could be better? Well, Yosemite said I will show you. As we were driving on the way out, I noticed a pinkish glow to El Capitan. By the time we got to Tunnel View, Yosemite was doing a full display of evening color. Boy I love this place.

 

From West side of Mirror Lake

Trail Lesson:

No matter how many times you have visited a place, keep your eyes open for the beauty you have not seen before.

Clouds Rest and Half Dome at Sunset

Yosemite Valley-last view of trip

October-31, 2015 - West Yosemite Valley Loop

Title: October-31, 2015 - West Yosemite Valley Loop

Trail head: Bridalveil Falls Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Yosemite Valley Loop

Destination: Loop

Distance: 13.34   miles ¹

Start Time: 9:39

End Time:  3:43

Travel Time: 6:03 (2.20 mph)

Moving Time: 4:58 (2.69 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,521'

Maximum Elevation: 4,123'

 ¹There was about a third of a mile which Megan and I walked to round up our hikers which had overshot the Valley Chapel turn off. The 13.34 miles reflects this extra mileage. 

Description:
I did not sleep well last night, well at least I did not get the amount of sleep I wanted to. I got up at 5:20. We were a bit late getting started, so we got to Kohl's about 6:50. Most of our group arrived by 7:05 and we left with only 2 of the 22 people I was expecting not showing. We stopped in Oakhurst at 8am and picked up 4 more people, then arrived at the Bridalveil Falls parking lot around 9:20. But not before I did something historic! I turned 62 Sunday, so today, I got my Forever Park Pass!!! So great to be getting old!

Bridalveil Creek dressed for Fall

It surprised me to see some water coming over Bridalveil Falls, but not enough to get excited about. At 9:40 we headed out, all 20 of us. Even after walking about 100 yards, we stop to enjoy the sights of Fall in Yosemite. In this case, it is a mostly dry creek with the autumn leaves hanging over it. It is pretty enough. But there is more to come. We are going counter-clockwise. So our first stop will be the Valley Chapel, about 4 miles up the trail.

Meetup Group Hikers

But first, there is just so much to see and the group is excited to see it. We go up the hardest climb of the day, maybe about 150' as we round Cathedral Rocks. Then drop down to trail which comes in from El Capitan. Here there was a prescribed burn a couple of weeks ago. So the ground is black from the trail to the road, with smoke still lingering from the remains of burning residue. Later, I was conversing with the Yosemite Fire people and showing these pictures. Gary from Yosemite Fire said:

Smouldering Remains

 The opportunity you took to hike along the perimeter of the Taft Toe Rx is perfect and we encourage visitors to observe fire operations when we can...even after the fact. I enjoy hearing from our visitors.
For the complete text of the message go to the bottom.

But now it is time to get on and see some more of the Valley floor. Of course, we do get views of the Merced River, along with the yellowing leaves of winter, and the big rock cliffs of Yosemite. Even Yosemite Falls has a little water coming out of it. All of this leaves us gawking and we are walking. Awe, Yosemite in the Fall, so wonderfully refreshing particularly after the crowds have left. We saw a handful of people along the south side, except for the 20 of us. But even we were spread over a distance, so I would see maybe 4-6 people at any one time.

Merced River

Yosemite Falls

20 of us? Oh Oh. Got to the stopping place at Valley Chapel and there is only 13 people waiting for me. And I am the last person in our group and I know all are ahead. This is pretty bad to lose 7. How do I explain this? I tell the rest of the folks to go on to Yosemite Falls. Megan and I go on a short triangle and see if we can dig up the others.  We do find three of them, and point them in the direction they should go to. But we are still missing four. But I do not think I will be able to go as far as Camp Curry and still complete the hike.

Climber Practicing

So Megan and I complete the triangle without finding anybody else. When we got to the Yosemite Falls picnic area, we find two more of the hikers have returned. Still down two people. So I turn to go back to the bus stop to see if I can spot anybody, and there are my missing folks. Yeah! A good feeling, and a bit of wondering if they all had not arrived, what would I have done?

After a good break at the Yosemite Falls picnic area, we start our return trip along the north side of the Valley. Before Camp 4, we encounter some climbers practicing their craft on one of the popular rocks. By rocks, I do not mean a large boulder, but some of the rock wall which leads up to Yosemite Falls.

Sentinel Rocks

After Camp 4, we pass by the SAR camp-where the volunteer Search and Rescue stay-and the Native American Pow Wow grounds. We cross Northside Drive, to walk along the Merced River. From here, we see the wall which we were walking along this morning. I misidentify some rocks as Dewey Point, when they are really Sentinel Rocks. But the river beside us brings a nice relaxed pace, even though later I see we actually have picked up speed. Maybe walking with Onya, Jerry and Susie brings out the better in me?

Tree and Sunlight

I stop and gawk for awhile, then catch up with everyone at the next road crossing-it is where I had indicated we should stop. This time, we all are accounted for-much to my relief. Everyone is still in good spirits-how could they not be on a day like today. Sunshine, but cool, bright Autumn leaves mixed with the greens of conifers and some of the trees which are resisting changing color.

El Capitan from its base

And now we are at the base of El Capitan, always a wonder to behold looking up. You always wonder, how do they climb this monster, but even today, Dana spots there are climbers on its face. Wonder if they will make it to the top before Monday's storm.

Merced River near Pohono Bridge

Around this time, I take the lead. That is because there is just one more stop, close to the Valley View turnout. Do we stop to go to the turn out? No, but because there is a hidden outhouse which I know where it is. As the group comes in, the outhouse gets well used. But by this time we all scent that the hike is about to end. We come past the Pohono Bridge and stand, looking from it at the Merced. This is what we have walked so far for, to savor this view. Not that it is the best view on our trail, but because we have earned it. You understand why on the seventh day, God looked out and called His creation good.

More Fall Colors

El Capitan from Bridalveil Meadow

In a lot of ways the part between the Pohono Bridge and the Bridalveil Falls parking lot is the best part of the hike. For the first 1/2 of a mile, we are below the road grade, able to enjoy the Merced River flowing by. With the Fall colors, we are able to just gaze out and appreciate this festival of color. There are even a few springs along this section. When hitting Bridalveil Meadow, El Capitan looms in front of us, making its statement, saying I am the one who controls entrance to this Valley. Come all who come in peace.

We hit the parking lot after 3:30. Some of us want to go directly home, after all, it is Halloween. But many of us enjoy each others companionship which a hike like this only strengthens. So we stop in Oakhurst at Alice's BBQ and grab dinner. Then off to home and a shower.


Trail Lesson: Make sure all understand the route and the indications they are on the correct path.

North Dome

El Capitan

Quiet Scene

 ²From Yosemite Fire

Prescribed Burn-Taft Toe

Smoke from the burn

 The opportunity you took to hike along the perimeter of the Taft Toe Rx is perfect and we encourage visitors to observe fire operations when we can...even after the fact. I enjoy hearing from our visitors.

Valley prescribed fires are spectacular and after a day or two it is good for visitors to see what the work is about. All fires when declared contained or controlled - two different fire status points - will continue to burn out and smoke. This fire project took one day to ignite and then a week or so of burn down and burn out. We burned this area a bit on the cooler side of the prescription. It is a burn that has been planned for over five years....We have to wait for the perfect time.


Consider the down and dead "heavies" logs are very easily ignited and will be consumed nearly to 100% due to 4 years of drought - they were causing most of the residual smoke and that was a measurable objective of the Taft Toe Rx, to rid the areas of an over abundance of down and dead vegetation.


Two other objectives of the prescribed fire (Rx) was to open the forest up and let the sun through and have more clear vistas.. Some loss of live trees, including larger diameter trees is another goal. The area has not had fire in part of it since the 1990s and some never had fire.


The Valley floor was pre-historically open oak savannas. Far fewer pines and cedars were growing. The Native American Indian tribes would burn some part of the Valley to enhance the acorn crop for sustainable consumption but also for a robust trading economy. 

October 20, 2015 - Deer Camp Trail

Title: October 20, 2015 - Deer Camp Trail

Trail head: Yosemite West

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Deer Camp Trail

Destination: Bishop Creek

Actual Destination: A little beyond Bishop Creek

Distance: 7.15 miles ¹

Start Time: 9:35

End Time:  1:14

Travel Time: 3:40 (1.95 mph)

Moving Time: 3:32 (2.02 mph)

Elevation Rise: 730'

Maximum Elevation: 6,119'
  ¹The GPS did not sync up for about a third of a mile, so the mileage and elevation rise are an extrapolation and a composite of this trip and others along this trail.

Description:
Got up at 5:20 this morning after a restless night sleep. Must have been a bit nervous as this is the first time in three months which I have put together a meetup hike. But we got out the door by 6:30, got gas at Costco and made it to Kohl's by 6:45. Carl and Jerry J were already waiting for us. By 7:08 we had almost everyone here which was going, except for one person. But she zoomed in from Merced. That made 16 here in Fresno. We stopped at the Tenaya Lodge for bathroom and coffee and picked up Lori and Sonya, making all the people who signed up for the hike.

We get to the turn off for the Deer Camp Trail with losing only one car. The turn off to park is a bit tricky and is easily missed. But the missing car turns around and we get ready to go with my pre-hike talk which boils down to two things:

• Don't get lost
• If you do get lost, take someone with you.

Hikers on the trail

The first 100' is the hardest, a gentle 20' rise to get us on the railroad bed. looking back, it is somewhat impressive seeing my following-even though I suspect "my following" is here more for the hike than me. But I can live with the delusion.

Anyway, enough of my delusions. The trail is essentially flat and so the walking is quick. I end up hiking with Kelly, my first time walking with her. The miles go fast when there is pleasant conversation.  We stop for the first time at Rail Creek where I talk about this creek's history. Jerry J points out this is the benefit of walking with Gary-the additional benefit of a tour guide.

Fresh Buds

As we walk along, I notice a few things which I find unusual. I stop by a dormant looking bush, only to find that new buds are forming all over it, and this is October. The rain earlier this week may have been mistaken for Spring rains instead of a prelude to snow. Still, it is refreshing to look at the forest around us.

Just beyond Rail Creek

Then there is a meadow in this forest which though mostly brown now is holding the promise of a pleasant green for the Spring. This is where I think the area was competing to hold the Winter Olympics in the 1920 when Lake Placid won the bid. Glad it went back east.

We stop briefly at Strawberry Creek. No great lecture, but I do note that what they are standing above is stone work from the railroad. Then it is off to Bishop Creek. We cross one of the dry washes and continue on to the second branch of Bishop where our rendezvous point will be. What's this? Our lead group is coming back. Carl notes that he went about a third of mile beyond our stopping point. So we find a nice sunny spot and enjoy a time in the sun for lunch.

On our way back, I talk with my friends Doug and Sally. This is Sally's first hike with us, and I am pleased they have come out. The forest is a good place just to talk and we do talk about several things, such as our old place of employment and current activities.

Soon we reach the start of the trail, while tired, it is a good tiredness. Jerry J suggests we stop in Oakhurst at DiCiccio's, which we do. The poor waiter did his best with a group of 18 people, and he did well. But with 18 people coming in, the food delivery was slow, but good. We got home just around 4:30. A good day and the first hike I have organized in three months.

October 14, 2015 - San Joaquin River Gorge Loop

Title: October 14, 2015 - San Joaquin River Gorge Loop

Trail head: Ya Gub Weh Tuh Trailhead

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Pa'San Trail

Destination: Loop

Actual Destination:

Distance: 7.41 miles

Start Time:  8:25

End Time:   1:57

Travel Time: 5:31(1.34 mph)

Moving Time: 4:02 (1.84 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,582'

Maximum Elevation: 1,811'

Description:
Got up at 5:45 and just sort of mosied around the house. We get to Kohl's right at 7:00. John gives his speech about hiking safety, albeit a shortened version of it. We have a couple of new people in our group today. We are able to hitch a ride with Tom, which is a relief. Even though it is a short drive, less than an hour, I did not feel like driving and neither did Sherri.

San Joaquin River looking West

We get to the parking lot at the San Joaquin River Gorge BLM area a little after 8. But take awhile to get organized.  At the trail head you pay $5 unless you have a park pass. Also there are pit toilets. But at the end, there is a trail which descends to the San Joaquin River. It sort of meanders around the bluffs about the river, before dropping down about 300' to a bridge. Here we all wait till everyone catches up. I talk with Betty and Rebecca on the way day down. 

The water under the bridge is pretty low, but there is not much movement, giving the river a pond-like texture. But after the bridge, I fall back and walk with Jerry, Cathey and John up the north side of the San Joaquin River. At first, it is just a climb, but as we rise up the slope, so does the sun, starting to heat us up. This is the exposed side of the river so after a little while we all are sweating. This in turn drains our energy  making it a pretty slow slog. I will confess, the eye candy is lacking. Everything is so dry and brown, that I come to the conclusion I would rather hike this in the Spring than the Fall. But the saving grace is the banter of those walking at the rear is the fun which you have while hiking.

More hills looking west

Hills on south side of river

Towards the top, we hear the sound of blades whirling towards the west of us. We eventually see the helicopter circling around, but cannot tell what he is doing. After about ten minutes he fly's over us and goes up the San Joaquin a ways. What he is doing, I do not know. My guess is he was trying to find pot farms. Sherri says there was two of them and was wondering if they were heli-vacing someone out.

Why was this copter circling us?

We finally make it to the top of the trail where everyone is waiting for us. We settle in for a little rest, about 20 minutes, before we all move out. I start out hiking with Rebecca, Lien and her sister and a couple of others-am sorry, drawing a blank on who they are. But eventually this group sort of spreads out and I walk with Lee J for the rest of the trail. It is a good easy pace, which I what I need. We talk, she asks how my Mom is doing, and I ask about her trip up to Victoria. Just a good conversation.

Lee and Cherith following the trail in the rocks

For some reason this trail always seems longer coming back than going forward. Maybe this time it is the heat, or just being out of shape, I don't know, but I am lacking energy. But we make it down to the bridge. There we wait for the rest of the gang to show up. After awhile, some of us start on ahead for the final 3/4 of a mile. This seems to stretch on forever-much longer than when we came down it this morning. Lee is struggling and I keep falling behind her. But we all make it to the top and enjoy ourselves while we wait for the rest to come up. We find out that it was 90 degrees today, in the exposed sun.

Our trail towards the end

Afterwards, many of us go to Velasco's in Prather for a good Mexican meal. Tom takes us back to the Kohl's lot and we are happy to be back. A good trip, but probably a bit warm for me-I think most agree with that assessment.

Lonely flower on a rock

Trail Lesson:
 Hiking is a cool weather sport.

Sun on the San Joaquin

Kerchoff Powerhouse