Gary-Summer: November 2018

Saturday, November 10, 2018

November 10, 2018 - Mariposa Grove

Title: November 10, 2018 - Mariposa Grove
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Road 5S37 and 5S06

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Road 5S06, Grizzly Giant, Mariposa Grove Trail, Perimeter Trail

Destination: Loop

Distance: 5.41 miles

Start Time: 12:43

End Time: 4:17

Travel Time: 3:34 (1.52 mph)

Moving Time: 2:42 (2.00 mph)

Elevation Rise: 988'

Descent: 867‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,442'

GPS Tracks

Description:

This is our first time to Mariposa Grove since it was reopened. so looking forward to what it looks like. It is also the first time going out for more than a mile and half in over six months. We will see what kind of shape I am in.

We leave Fresno about 10:45. When we get past Fish Camp, we meet up with a long line of people going into Yosemite. I know people walk into Mariposa Grove from Goat Meadow, so we decide to skip the line and go in that way.

Autumn Leaves

The road we turn on is the Mt Raymond Road. When we go past the Mariposa Transfer Station, memories of another time float by. Am I going to get us misplaced again? We continue on for a couple of miles until we see a road which goes towards the park. The part we see looks like it may become pretty rutted. Since we are in the Mercury with only a moderate amount of clearance, we decide to park and walk from here.

Steven approaching the Grizzly Giant

We follow road 5S06 up about half of a mile, The road continues on, but we see the gate to the north of us. So we go around the gate, following a fire road in and we are now in Yosemite. Nobody is around and all is quiet, except for the knocking of a woodpecker. There are some leaves which have turned from their green to brown, but look a bit golden in the filtered sunlight. The road descends into a small creek and then rises up to meet the Perimeter Trail-this used to be called the Outer Loop Trail. In a quarter mile of easy walking, we approach the first part of the Mariposa Grove renovation. That would be a handicap parking lot and an outhouse.

California Tunnel Tree

It is a short ways to the Grizzly Giant. We stop short and have our lunch while admiring Grizz. Then we walk up to the Giant before moving on to the California Tunnel Tree. We take a few pictures for other’s memories. We then decide to head towards the Mariposa Tree. This is along the Mariposa Grove Trail-which used to be the road for the guided tour tram.

Gary huffing and puffing

This trail is a bit of a climb, or at least my lungs and legs were not ready for this. So I am glad to stop and talk with whomever comes along. A couple from Missouri fits that bill and so we talk a bit-their contribution is that it is easier their way-downhill. Mine is Isaac Newton noted that whatever goes up comes down, but hikers know that if you go down you have to go up. Profound, I am sure. They are staying at Yosemite West so I suggest that a short hike up to Henness Ridge Lookout is a good walk.

Clothespin Tree

We get up to the Mariposa Tree, stop for a few and then take off on a trail which cuts over to the Guardian’s Loop Trail. But we only go a few feet on that when we veer off onto the Perimeter Trail. This will be our trail for the next mile plus-most of it downhill.

Suddenly going downhill, I feel energetic! Wonder why? My pace picks up and my breathing returns to normal. I really need to get out more. Steven is a ways ahead and I walk with Sherri. For awhile it looked like we were the only ones on this trail. But then there is a couple who are zooming right up this slope. A single older lady follows them. She and I stop to talk for a few minutes. Well that few minutes stretched into about 7-10 minutes-Sherri had already taken off. So by the time I got to walking again, it was full speed ahead. I pass by a trail junction back to the main part of the Grove and I wonder if that is the way they went? I hope note and there seems to be boot prints continuing on the Perimeter Trail. I hope that these are Sherri and Steven’s as I would hate to backtrack. A few minutes later I catch sight of Sherri’s jacket and feel much better.

Tree with Fall clothing

We catch up to Steven at the trail junction going out of the park, how we came in. By now the sun is hiding behind the trees, but we catch glimpses of light as it goes through some Autumn leaves. Makes for a pretty sight. We cross a small creek we grossed earlier and start a half mile climb to the boundary. Steven has already passed the boundary and is heading the third of a mile back to the car. Shortly before we get to the car, a large vehicle passes by on the road below, followed by a logging truck. Glad we were not there then.

We get back to the car about a quarter past four and start heading back to Highway 41. Seems like it is a lot quicker coming out then going in-which we are thankful for. Once we get to 41, the discussion is where to eat. We decide on Diciccio’s in Oakhurst. Filling and we are content. Also the service was pretty reasonable. Steven has me drive back to Fresno-he has driven the rest of the way. We get back around 7:15.