Gary-Summer: October 14, 2017 - Crane Flat Lookout and Tuolumne Grove

Saturday, October 14, 2017

October 14, 2017 - Crane Flat Lookout and Tuolumne Grove

Title: October 14, 2017 - Crane Flat Lookout and Tuolumne Grove
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Tuolumne Grove Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Crane Flat Lookout, Tuolumne Grove

Destination: Crane Flat Lookout, Tuolumne Grove

Distance: 5.56 miles

Start Time: 11:46

End Time: 4:34

Travel Time: 4:48 (1.16 mph)

Moving Time: 4:41 (1.19 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,343'

Maximum Elevation: 6,658'

GPS Tracks

Description:

This started out with as a trip with Rose and Sonya. But as the date got closer, one by one they acquired other obligations. In the meantime, we had invited our friend Carol to walk with us as well. So today, it is Carol, Sherri and I in Yosemite. Carol comes by at 7:30 and we get off by 7:45. This is my first time up in Yosemite since June. Exciting.

El Cap Rockfall

It got even more exciting as we got closer to the Valley. As we come through Tunnel View, we should be seeing the grandeur of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome standing at the far end with El Capitan guarding the gate. But what do we see and taste? Smoke. Cannot see Half Dome and Bridalveil and El Cap is barely viewable. We decide to drive through the Valley and see what we can see. If things improve great, otherwise, we will stop and see the recent rockfall from El Capitan. Then go on up to Tuolumne Grove. Hopefully there is less smoke there.

Empire Fire

The gash left by the rockfall in El Capitan is impressive. Just huge. Anyplace else, it would be an attraction itself. But with El Capitan, it is somewhat like losing a couple hairs off of one's head. Once the new rock exposed ages a winter, it will be hard to see where the rockfall was.

Carol and Tree

One up to Tuolumne Grove. Sherri spots smoke from the Empire Fire. So we stopped to look and take pictures. When we get to Tuolumne Grove, the parking lot is pretty close to full-but we find a place. Wonder what it looks like on a Summer’s Saturday.

Our first stop, that is after the bathrooms, is Crane Flat Lookout. We head off in the opposite direction as everybody else-westward. There is an old road which we follow until the trail veers off and goes up a hill. No amazing views or anything, just good Sierra dirt underfoot.

Black Bear

About halfway up you hit the paved road to the Crane Flat Heliport. A few steps up up, Carol whispers”Bear”. Sure enough, there is a black blob maybe about 30 yards away. Not too close, but close enough. The bear is just peacefully rummaging around at the base of a tree for some food-bugs and stuff. We take our pictures, trying not to disturb. I then cross the road opposite of the bear and this perks its attention, but does not move. I continue around on the far side of the road, hoping to catch him at a different angle. This spooks the bear and it runs off, not to be seen again, as much as I am on the lookout for it.

Sugar Pine Cone

So off we go. The rest of the way is paved, but with little traffic as the only destination is the heliport and the lookout. We meet nobody. The road is uphill, but not steep. You only get tired of walking on the pavement for the mile and half or so. But there are some splendid sugar pines along the way.

Osborne Fire Finder

Once we reach the helipad, we walk across the parking area to the continuation of the trail. (I think that NPS would prefer you not going straight over because sometimes there are vehicles can come through pretty fast in emergency situations. Last time we were here, we were talking with a pilot and we just followed her and her co-pilot over to the lookout.) So we go around the parking area and hit the lookout from the far side.

Empire Fire

The lookout is of the “rustic” Park Service style. Henness Ridge also is this style. We go up into the tower-it is only two stories and look around. They have an Osborne Firefinder, but it is off of true by about 17 degrees. Maybe it was trued with a compass, rather than true north. We look around and there is a few remnants of its glory in the cab. We also see the Empire Fire continuing to smoke, with a smaller column to the west.Due west of us is Pilot Lookout. After spending about half an hour up here, we go down for lunch at a picnic table at the lookout’s base. After hearing a noise going on and off, we realize it is the fan on a shipping container holding communication equipment.

Pilot Lookout

Mountains to East of Lookout

Carol and Gary

Now it is time to go back down to the car. we scaddle on down the trail and then the road the way we came up. More stopping to admire the sugar pine cones. It is a lot easier going down to the car than going UP to the lookout. Maybe it is because I am still having some minor effects from this summer. Whatever it is, we make it down to the car pretty well. Well enough that Sherri asks Carol about visiting Tuolumne Grove-she does not ask me.

Carol and Sherri

Since the answer was yes, off we go. The thing which I do not like about this trail is that it is downhill. You might be asking, what is wrong with that? Like Isaac Newton would have said if he was a hiker: whatever goes down, must come back up. But down we go.

Dogwood Berry

There are some subtle differences in the environment from Crane Flat, even though it is the same starting place. The most prominent is that the dogwood are bursting out with a new wardrobe. Instead of green and white, it is red and yellow with some orangish ornaments called berries. We stop every once in awhile to examine a tree or berries. This is definitely not a hike for the record books, but for the eye candy.

Carol peeking around a dogwood

The trail is an old paved road-I sort of remember going down this in a car once when my family came to Yosemite. It gets a bit steep. Also there is a bit of a culture shock from going to Crane Flat-lots more people with the accompanying noise and distractions of rowdiness. Don’t get me wrong, for the most part, people were orderly and following the procedures. But most is the operative word here.

Still the area is pleasant enough. We go on a loop into the Grove, enjoying the scenery. Sort of like a Japanese garden in flavor, but not stature-these are Sequoias after all. A brook goes through the middle of the loop, giving even more of that oriental flavor. Lots of pictures of the dogwoods and their berries. We went through a tunnel tree, but did not get any pictures of us-too many people.

My rest deer

Back to the start of the loop and working our way up. Seemed like a pretty good descent going in. Even more so going out. First really good climb since the summer stuff. A deer is off the side of the road, so it is worthwhile stopping to enjoy her. But we make it up, going one step in front of the other. Finally making it up to the car by 4:30. Tired but good.

Yosemite Valley

We stopped at Tunnel View-I wanted a picture of the smokey Valley. But was disappointed-it had cleared up magnificently with just enough smoke to catch the evening rays, turning everything a rosy color. When we passed through Oakhurst, stopped at Sugar Pine Pizza-actually called from Wawona. They had the pizza all ready for us, piping hot. After filling ourselves, we go on down to Fresno. We say by to Carol and then jump in the showers. A good day. Not lots of miles, but still an enjoyable one.