October 31, 2020 - Wawona

 

Title: October 31, 2020 - Wawona
Hike Info : Description :  Background : Extra Photo's :  Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Wawona Hotel Parking Area

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking
Trail: Chowchilla Mountain Road, Four Mile Road, Bills Hill to Four Mile Road Trail, Wawona Meadow Loop Trail
Destination: Loop
Distance:  5.90 miles
Start Time: 11:13
End Time:     3:03
Travel Time:  3:50 (1.54 mph)
Moving Time:  3:19 (1.78 mph)
Elevation Rise:  1,207'
Descent: 919‘
Maximum Elevation: 4,892'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Steven starting up Chowchilla Mountain Road

Today we will be taking Korra up to Yosemite. There are a few dog friendly places in Yosemite, particularly around Wawona. The Park says that they are relatively unknown and unsigned. But, feeling a bit proud, I know most of them. Even though I had not heard of Four Mile Road before as a name, I have walked it before. Also this is the last day of needing a reservation to enter into Yosemite. So we expect a little solitude while Yosemite will be crowded tomorrow.

 

 

Autumn Leaves

Steven needs to be home by 6, so we are aiming at being home by 5pm. I figure about 2 hours to Yosemite and an hour and half back-always harder getting in. To do the route should be a little less than 4 hours. 9:30 is the cut off time for leaving, but we would like to be in earlier.

 

  I get up at 6:15-I just wake up naturally around 6:30. But the others do not get moving until 8. We take off at 9:20. The ride up is relatively uneventful, with one stop. Korra gets car sick in our Highlander. So we get to the entry station. They see our pass and wave us through. So we reached Wawona around 11.

 

 

After taking care of business, we get on the trail close to 11:15. The first part of the hike is across the golf course and then up the Chowchilla Mountain Road. After the golf course, the road is gated, I suspect for winter, or because Sierra NF is still under restrictions. It is a moderate climb, but we start getting the flavor of the day-Autumn. There is a variety of trees which are showing a change of color-yellows and reds mostly. This is going to be a really nice walk.

Gary walking the 4 Mile Road

After going up the road almost a mile, we come to the junction. The next road-the Four Mile Road-is gated. We think it is used only as a fire road, but it does get maintained and we see tire tracks along it. About .2 miles later, we come to the junction with the rest of the Four Mile Road. I have always been mesmerized by a tree in the middle of this. It seems like it is there to remind us we have ways to turn in our life. One side of the three ways to go, goes back to the Chowchilla Mountain Road. But that has trees across it and does not look like it is maintained at all.

Now we are into a 500’ rise over a mile and a half walk. We take it slowly-the we are Sherri and I. Steven does not look phased by it at all. We enjoy the colors, stopping often to admire. The rise is not bad, just wearing.The four of us do enjoy the walk. The only real wildlife seen are birds, predominantly Yosemite’s massive crows. We are still surrounded by the beauty of the changing seasons.

 

 

There is a cross-over trail, which I have seen referenced as Bills Hill to Four-Mile Road. We stop and have lunch, enjoying the rest. Nothing really special about lunch, except it gives a chance to enjoy a recognized break, rather than our ad hoc, admire or take a picture break. Or the “I am huffing and puffing” breaks.

 

After lunch, we go down the cross-over trail. I am thinking this is one of my favorite parts of Wawona, particularly going downhill. I might feel differently going back uphill. This is a long downhill, about 2 miles worth. The trail is narrow, going through mountain misery, but filled with trees having turned colors. Several times I lag behind to take pictures or better yet, just to take in the color-both are good.

More Autumn Leaves

 

At the end, the trail intertwines with a service road. The service road is steep, the trail is a gradual grade. So do not mistake one for the other. By this time, you are sort of wishing for something level or a slight up to rest from the constant down. The last 100’ of the trail is the service road, leading to the far point of the Wawona Meadow Loop.

And now for the final stretch-finishing the loop around Wawona Meadow. This is a dirt road, closed off to most vehicular travel. We end up at the southern end of the meadow, crossing a dried creek or two. We met another couple with a dog-first people, and the last, we have seen today in our walk. We have walked this many times. 

 

 

Wawona Meadow

The only thing is that after my last walk with the meetup group, I am interested in figuring out where the end of the flume is. So I lag behind, looking. I finally find it ending in a ravine, The ravine must have taken the water down the last 50 yards to the meadow.

We get into the car and start back. Even though it is about 4pm when we enter Oakhurst, we are hungry. Carl’s Jr it is. We eat outside of what looks like the closed Republican headquarters in Oakhurst. We finally make it back home, a little later than I had planned-5:01 pm instead of 5:00-so he writes smuggly.

Background

Bills Hill. I have found only one reference to Bills Hill. But from this one reference it seems like it is the the turn out about a mile and a half south of Wawona where the trail crosses Highway 41.

Extra Photo's

Township marker

Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves

Steven walking a log with Korra

 

Gary on the trail

Gary crossing a small creek

Gary on the trail

Steven on a trail

 

Light through leaves

Leaves

   
Flowers and Plants

Fungi

October 26, 2020 - Glacier Point

 

Title: October 26, 2020 - Glacier Point
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's :

Hike Info:

Type: Car 

Destination: Taft Pt and Sentinel Dome

Actual Destination:  Glacier Point

Description:

We got a Yosemite Park pass so that we could go up on October 31st. So we need to make a trip up to Yosemite. Besides, it is good after my birthday trip for a now much older man. Such hardships we endure, woe is us. We are planning to hike over to Taft Pt and up Sentinel Dome. A loop we have done several items. While well within our capability, it will stretch us a bit in our current condition.

View from Washburn Pt

We don’t get an early start, but a start which should get us up there by about 10am. It is a quick drive up. The line at the entrance station is a bit long, but not by Yosemite standards. We make a quick stop at Chinquapin. And then go up the Glacier Point Road.

Oh, Oh! As we approach the parking area for Taft Pt/Sentinel Dome, we see nothing but cars parked on the side of the road, leading up to the parking area. Does not look very promising. After a quick consultation, we decided that area is too crowded for us. Now what to do? For a short term solution, we will go on to Glacier Point and see how crowded that area is.

Horse Fire

On our way to Glacier, we stop at Washburn Point which is pretty open. We are a minority mask wearers, but there is a lot of room, so that does not seem to be an issue. Washburn Point is my preferred overlook. I think it is because we can see far into the backcountry. I can see places I have been and dreama bit about walking there again. Also there are places my feet have not traveled yet. I can only imagine what they like. Looking east, the view is pretty clear. I gaze that way for a while. Half Dome is dominae, and Vernal and Nevada falls are there. But the Clark Range with Mt Starr King is a wonder.

Snow Creek Trail

And then farther back we see the Crest. Such a wonderful view. So glad not that many people stop here. Also, when we look south, we see the Horse Fire on Horse Ridge, right before Ostrander Lake. Actually, Sherri spots it first-hopefully it is because I am distracted with everything else. This fire was started by lightning in August. The Park is letting it burn itself out.

Onward down to Glacier Point, not far. The parking lot is maybe about a quarter full. Looks like we score. We go out to the point. Yosemite Valley is always impressive and particularly from Glacier. There is a haze coming in from the Creek and SQF Complex fires. I start to pick out various places-Camp Curry, Happy Isles, Snow Creek Trail, and where the Hidden Falls probably is. When I look at Ahwahnee Meadows, I am seeing something man made which I cannot figure out. It is only when I realized that it was a Christmas ornament.

 

 

Lunch Time

We have lunch a little ways off, facing out to the Valley. Very pleasant. After a stop at a bathroom way at the end of the parking lot-it is a long lot. So we did get a little bit of a walk in. We started back up the road thinking maybe if the Taft Pt parking area is not busy, doing that walk. Nope. So on we go.

Mysterious design on Ahwahnee Meadow

Sherri wants to stop at the Mono Meadows Trailhead. So we do. Not a great view, but looking through the trees there are places which you just wish for a bit broader of a view. We just wander in an arc around the area and see what we could see. Oh yeah, we were not sure where the trail was-that is a common problem with me. I can wander many places in the backcountry and find where I should be pretty easily. But finding the trail at the trailhead? I have a history of having issues there.

Time to move on. We stopped in Oakhurst at Carl Jr’s. but the power has been out. They said to wait around for about half an hour. We decided not to-we can almost be to Fresno by that time. We order a take-out dinner from Red Robin in Riverpark and have a content dinner.

 

 Extra Photo's

Horse Fire

Closer View of the Horse Fire

Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls and beyond from Washburn Pt

View from Mono Meadow Trailhead-Half Dome on left

The Clark Range "humps" from Mono Meadow Trailhead

Sherri

October 19, 2020 - Mariposa Grove

 

Animals
Title: October 19, 2020 - Mariposa Grove
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : : Flowers and Plants

Trail head:  Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking
Trail: Washburn, Grizzly Giant, Outer Loop
Destination: Mariposa Grove
Actual Destination: Grizzly Giant and beyond
Distance:  6.90 miles
Start Time:  9:54
End Time:   4:08
Travel Time:  6:14 (1.11 mph)

Moving Time:  4:17 (1.61 mph)
Elevation Rise:  1,267'
Descent: 1,203‘
Maximum Elevation: 6,132'

GPS Tracks

Description:

We got an earlier start today than the last time we went up to Yosemite with Rose. We stop by her ranch. She will be driving separately from us and we will meet in the Mariposa Grove parking lot. We are not sure of the air quality, but it looks like it may be acceptable.

Creek on Washburn Trail

We get to the parking lot around 9:30 and get ready to hike. I check with a ranger about if the shuttle is running-no. I think she is there in case anybody with a handicap placard comes by.

 

 

 

 

 

Rose and Gary following the stones

 

 

So by 9:50, we are ready to head on out. The first segment is the Washburn Trail. It runs along the south side of the road up to the actual grove area. The trail has been here for a long while, but really did not see much use before. Now that traffic is restricted to the grove, the trail is more used. And this year with the pandemic going on and the shuttles not running, it is the only way we normal humans can get up there.

The trail retains its relative isolation from the road, but as long as we are on the trail, we meet people coming and going. On one hand, it is good that so many people want to go up to the grove and are willing to work for it. But, just because it is outdoors, in Yosemite, does not mean that they do not need to wear a mask when they are around someone else. Also there is a tendency for me to like to be away from the masses.

 

Gary, Sherri and Rose, or the three bandits

I can tell we are going uphill. Yes, the familiar refrain of huff and puff and rest starts up. But I am feeling less of this and that is good. Of course, stopping to take pictures often really helps. And there is a lot to stop for. The Autumn colors are beginning. They should be magnificent in a week or so. I could see if the number of people on a Summer day, this trail would not have the attraction it has now-probably hot and dusty and crowded. So I will take how it looks today.

Lunch time snooze

We make it to the plaza at Mariposa Grove. There we seek bodily relief before deciding what to do next. It is a good place just to rest for a few minutes. We discuss where to go and what we are up to. The Grizzly Giant sounds like a good next stop. On the way up, we look at a view things. WIll Dorothy may have followed the yellow brick road, we find a granite ribbon which promptly lead us in a circle, well at least in a scrunched up oblong loop.

After about 20 minutes, we made it to the Grizzly Giant. Now we all have visited the Giant several times and I do not think it has changed much. Confession: It is not my favorite Sequoia. But any Sequoia is impressive. So we look at it in appreciation. A short ways away is the California Tree. It has a tunnel cut from its core, so after waiting for others to take pictures, we walk through and up about a hundred yards. There we find a stump to have lunch on.

Jigsaw Puzzle Piece Tree

I rest a bit, actually close my eyes while laying against a downed log. A feeble attempt at a catnap. I am resting, but awake enough to hear the simulated click of a camera on Sherri’s iPhone. Twenty minutes into a ten minute nap I am ready to go, so are Sherri and Rose.

We continue up the trail until we hit what used to be the road up to the Upper Grove. Now it has been scrapped and I am assuming it will eventually become a path. There are less people and in so many ways, much more picturesque trees. The road goes on a gentle uphill for a ways. We stop often, not from exertion, but to take in the beauty of these Sequoias. Here they are right next to the road and available. There is always the sense of perspective which we can really see when one of us is walking up the road and there is a Sequoia behind them.

We come to the Faithful Couple set of trees. Shortly beyond that is a trail back to the plaza. It has been a good day, so we do not push things. Down the trail we go. But the special thing about this grove is that even beyond the main area, there is so much to take in. We notice that as we descend, there are some changes to the plants, not to the Sequoias. A little ways off the trail, a patch of silver attracts us-it is a pump house which has been wrapped for fire protection.

Permanent Halloween face

 I do not think I have talked about the burns we have seen earlier. It looks like in 2017 there was about 200 acres purposely burnt in a prescribed burn. We see the scaring throughout the area, both lower and upper. Not sure why they felt the need to wrap this pump house. Maybe it was because of some of the other fires which have threatened the area.

Each tree has its own personality and look. Until you see them and look at them in more than a car passing through mode, they look all the same, sort of like when you go to a foreign country. But as you get to know them, they are different. On the way down, we see one tree which definitely has personality. There is a face and we all take turns with naming the face. As we pass by, there is definitely a Halloween face as well.

Now we get down to the plaza. None of us really want to hang out here as we have another two miles to go. But we do enjoy a quick break before moving on. We do not see any signs that say we cannot walk the road. I point out that two of my favorite trees in this grove are down the road a ways. They seem like either greeters to the grove or guardians. But the sight of them has always refreshed my heart. Evidently it does the same for Rose and Sherri. They stop and gawk and take pictures for a while. Then we move on. A couple of vehicles pass us, some Park and some carrying handicap. About halfway down is an outhouse. But more importantly, there is a short trail over to the Washburn Trail. So down we go.

Smoke starting to drift in

Some days the return trip seems so easy and quick. Today, I am ready for this last mile to be over with. I think I am tiring. Still the trip down has a lot to recommend. This takes some of the weariness from my legs. At least the lungs are able to function. When we see an opening to look down towards Fish Camp, we see smoke from our fires drifting up towards the grove. Guess we were fortunate to come when we did.

 

Pandemic Hug between Sherri and Rose

When we get back to the cars, I do not think any of us are ready to hurry away. Even though it has only been five days since we have hiked together, it was a long time before that since we walked together. Sherri and Rose do a socially distanced hug. Aw, to be doing that closer, we will have to wait.

We leave separately. It is a short ride back to Fresno where we order up something to eat. Showers are always feeling good. Then it is time for House Church.

 

 

 

 

Extra Photo's

Rose and Sherri close to plaza at Mariposa Grove.

 

Another socially distanced tree hug by Sherri

Autumn Colors

Grizzly Giant

 

Majestic Sequoia

Big Tree with a couple truly big trees

Gary shooting Rose

 

Greeters to Mariposa Grove

Gary and Rose approaching the entrance to Mariposa Grove

Halloween Face

You tell me what face this tree is making

Same tree, different angle

Rose and Gary

Rose and Sherri in awe of a Sequoia

 

   
Flowers and Plants

Manzanita