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

October 11, 2015 - Wawona Meadow and Mariposa Grove Trail

Title: October 11, 2015 -  Wawona Meadow and Mariposa Grove Trail

Trail head: Wawona Ranger Station

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Wawona Meadow Loop, Mariposa Grove Trail and its connector

Destination:Loop

Distance: 7.09 miles

Start Time:  1:18

End Time:    5:36

Travel Time: 4:17 (1.65 mph)

Moving Time: 3;14 (2.19 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,421'

Maximum Elevation: 5,110'

Description:

Wawona Meadow Tail

A beautiful day and its my wife's birthday to boot. So what do we do today? Go to church. And then what? Well, go hiking of course! That is Sherri's wish. We manage to leave Fresno a little after 11 and get to Wawona around 12:30. This is of course, after we get Sherri's permanent pass into the National Parks. One of the perks of growing up.

Birthday girl talking with Rachel

By the time we take care of business and get going it is after 1pm. But that is OK. The only thing is it is a hot October day. Another reason is we got to talk with Ranger Tucker on a mount. We talked for a while and as he was going, I asked about Mt Savage and if there are trails up to the top. He said there is a social trail which may be hard to find among the autumn needle and leave drop. In any case, stick to the ridges going up.

 The first part of our trail is around Wawona Meadow. It is a nice walk with only a little and up and down as we cross places where water has carved out a ravine. But we get views, across the way, including Wawona Dome and where Chilnualna Falls usually is. We walk at a fast, but nice pace-sort of sounds like a contradiction in terms, doesn't it?  We have a quick bite for lunch then off again, enjoying the shade and fall colors. Then our walk gets interrupted, not by one, but two calls wishing Sherri a Happy Birthday. The first is our daughter Rachel. The second is Sherri's childhood friend, Margaret. Don't these people know when we are enjoying a walk? (Said with a smile).

Water and Leaves

Prescribed Burn close to road

The conversations go on until we hit the far end of the meadow where we will turn off of the well worn trail. We stop while Sherri finishes up a conversation. Then head up towards the trail which will lead to Mariposa Grove.  The rising up is easy, even some flat places. I have not been on this trail before, so it is of interest to me. I can say there is nothing spectacular, just pleasant, including being surprised when we come across water in an unnamed creek. As we come close to highway 41, which leads into Wawona, we see the results of a prescribed burn-there has been a series of prescribed burns in the area over the past several years.

After we cross Highway 41, we come to the junction with the trail going from Wawona to Mariposa Grove. I do not know if the trail has a formal name or nor. I hiked it a year ago September when Karol made me a hike leader. So I cannot say I am vastly familiar with it, just been on it before.

Sherri

It is three o'clock, but Sherri wants to go on, so what can I say? It is her birthday. So we go up the trail for about an hour. She was hoping for some grand view, but this is not that kind of trail. So we need to content ourselves with enjoying the air, the trees, the mountain misery and each other. At the hour mark, we say it is time to go back. We are getting kind of hungry and it will start to turn dark by the time we get back.

Besides, the Park has Mariposa Grove closed this year and next for renovations. Maybe another day when we get an early start and are in a little bit better shape. One place we stop on the way down and I get out a book and start reading. After awhile I tell Sherri to go on ahead. I then realize that it has been more than just a few minutes since I told her that. So I skedaddle down and catch up to her right before the trail junction. Panic was starting set in on my part about where was Sherri going to go there. But I should not have feared as she would have gone the right way.

As we head on down, we realize we need a bit more energy. So out comes the jelly bellies, Luna bar and granola bar. I am sure each are highly nutritious, but they do provide for temporary energy and contentment. The path down towards Wawona is wide, like maybe part of an old road or something. The two of us can walk across from each other and talk. I am thinking how wise I was not to have gone up this like I did a year ago.

Around 5:30, we get back to the car and then move on to our dinner at Alice's, which used to be Todd's in Oakhurst. We make it back to Fresno by 7:30, a bit tired. Still our bodies do not hit the bed until 11pm.