September 9, 2015 - Chilnualna Falls

Title: September 9, 2015 - Chilnualna Falls

Trail head: Redwoods Cottages at Wawona

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Chilnualna Falls

Destination: Chilnualna Falls

Actual Destination: About a quarter mile short of the falls

Distance:  6.94 miles ¹

Start Time:  8:20

End Time:    2:49

Travel Time: 6:39 (1.04 mph)

Moving Time: 4:42 (1.48 mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,042'

Maximum Elevation: 6,234'
 ¹Mileage is to where I stopped, not the top of the falls, about a quarter mile away.

Description:
I wake up this morning thinking, what was I thinking when I signed up for this hike? It is a pretty decent hike with a good ascent. I did go on a backpack trip three weeks ago, but not much hikng before that. But these are people whom I like hiking with, so, I will try this. I did this hike two years ago and know how hard it can be.

We meet at Kohl's at 6:00am. Karen G drives Dennis, Adrienne, John H and myself up without incident. We get to the trail head around 8:10 and start in shortly afterwards. I count around 16 people. The air is cool and mostly clear. I was really concerned that the smoke from the various fires would be here-a friend was in Wawona just a few days ago and was saying how smokey it was. That is the reason why Sherri is not up here today.

We start up and despite John W's injunction about him being last, I manage to slip to the rear. Cathey joins me and we quickly lose the pack of people. This is just as well. Cathey is a good person to talk to and the previous week I had lost my father who was 93. So I cannot say I was struggling, but it was soothing talking with her. I was glad to have this chance to be in more of a quiet place, with someone who was compassionate.

Ridge above Chilnualna Creek

Because of the drought, everything was dry. As a friend said that his wife needed to put on her glasses to see the little trickle of water coming down. But surprising there were some flowers out still, a bit wilted looking, but still there. Even in the best of times-such as Spring and early Summer, the scenery is not outstanding until you get high enough to look down onto Wawona or over to Wawona Dome. It is a trail you need to look for the beauty around you rather than have it come out and grab your eyes.

One of many planes fighting the Tenaya fire

Two things which broke the concentration of our talking and the looking for beauty. The first was the sound of aircraft. More specifically air tankers which are in route the the Tenaya Fire north of Yosemite Valley. It is starting to blaze up and the park wants to get a good handle on it before it explodes. We will hear that sound all day as the tankers go from the Fresno Air Terminal over to Yosemite Valley and back. They certainly are impressive.

The second  interruption happened while I was talking with a backpacker coming down from a two night trip. I was asking where he found water-Johnson Meadow. After I left him, I came across Cathey frantically waving me over and pointing under a boulder. What was she seeing? A rattle snake! I took too long to focus my camera as he skirted away before I could shoot him-with my camera. No danger, just a reminder that there can be.

Towards Wawona

By this time, we are pretty far up the trail and able to see down into Wawona.Some smoke is starting to make its way into the area, but so far none which is bothersome. What is bothersome is the heat. And it is starting to get hot and we are getting into the more exposed part of the trail with its granite. The good part is we are close to the end and the major part of the climb is completed. So we take a break, just as the trail reaches Chilnualna Creek, right before the Falls.

The good part is we are able to dip stuff into the creek and it is cool. The bad? Well, there is not much of the creek, maybe about six inches across, but at least the water is enough that it is walking and not stagnate. Looking up, not much of a fall. Also looking up, we see some hikers-hey, isn't that part of our group?

Yep, certainly is and more are coming. Cathey and I decide to go back with the group. We are only about a quarter mile from the top, but the falls are not good looking right now-some would say non-existent-and it is hot and John, the last person, is coming down the trail. We take the hint and start down.

Wawona Dome and Hikers

On the way down, I hike with Jerry K, Rose and Karen. First, let me say, down is easier, but it is harder on the body. But the talk which goes with the walk is good and enjoyable. You notice the trend? Hiking can be solitary or social, boisterous or meditative. It depends on who you are with and what frame of mind you want to walk in.

But even pleasant people do not remove the heat element. As we travel lower, I can feel the heat just sapping my energy, not having a bite to eat at the Falls also contributes. But the heat is what is getting to me. I am constantly sucking on my bit-valve. Glad I filled up the bladder. I do stop for a Clif Bar and quickly catch up with our group.

Not much more to say about the trip down, except we did passed a couple groups of people going who looked ill-prepared for the heat and climb-only a liter or so of water. From experience, there is only so much you can do to convince people they really should turn around. Age is not a determinate factor. The young think they are young and can do anything; the old know they know better.  I think the best I can do is just look haggard-which in this case, it is easy to do.

We get back to the cars around 2:45 and wait around the the remaining people. Are car is ready to go and there are some who do not car to stop in Oakhurst for dinner. I am sort of torn between dinner and trying to get back before Sherri goes on her WOW bike ride. So I return with my car. We tell Jerry K we are leaving and ask him to let John W know. The talk in the car ranges from geeky stuff to conspiracy theories to the mundane. We get back to Kohl's around 5:15 and I give Sherri a call to see if she can pick me up-she can and does. When I get home, I end up downing several glasses of cold sun tea just to get re-hydrated, Takes about 45 minutes to feel energetic enough for a shower. But I am glad I went. It was good being out.


Trail Lesson:
Be aware of your environment-take stock before you leave and make sure you have enough resources to enjoy your hike.