April 28, 2022 - Yosemite Valley

 

Title: April 28, 2022 - Yosemite Valley

Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Curry Village Parking Area

Trail: Fen Trail and then various wanderings-see the map

Destination: Yosemite Falls

Distance:  6.91 miles ¹

Start Time: 12:35

End Time:    4:38

Travel Time:  4:03 (1.71 mph)

Moving Time:  2:27  (2.82 mph)

Elevation Rise:  591'

Descent: 607‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,077'

GPS Tracks

  ¹All of the figures are computed. I turned on the GPS around the time we got to the backpacker’s parking area. Then after seeing Yosemite Falls and waiting for the tram, I turned it off. But then we ended up walking from Yosemite Village to Curry Village. All of the time the GPS was off, is an approximation, based upon plotting out the route on Garmin’s BaseCamp, along with some guessing.

Description:

Bridalveil Falls

This was a delayed trip to Yosemite. We were going to go last week, but it rained on that day, so we went to Grant Grove. But today, the only weather concern is how cool it is. We got a bit of a late start, just before 10am. The trip up is uneventful with only a stop at Chinquapin. Then it is down to Bridalveil Falls area.

The Park is finishing up on revamping the area, so the parking area is closed and as it turns out the trail up to the Falls is also closed off. We found a parking place. While Sherri gets her boots on, I wander around, looking at the Falls and the Falls close to El Capitan-Ribbon Falls.

Ribbon Falls

 

 

 

 I look around for Silver Strand, but I think it is behind a ridge. We take a short walk around the area. Almost all of the trails in the area are now paved. We took many shots before climbing back into the car.

 

Staircase Falls

 

 

 

With the roof window unsheathed, we, well at least Sherri, can look up at the top of the rim. Such a wonderful sight. We head to Camp Curry There I get my boots on.. Staircase Falls has waters in it. An Indian family is trying to figure out what I am staring at-so I give my mini-tour guide explanation. 

 

 

 

 

Part of the Fen

And then start off, going through Camp Curry. We spotted a dogwood with blossoms on them. They look more on the side of fading than new blossoms. They are still something to stop and gaze at. We head around the backpacker’s parking lot and hit the Fen Trail. This is always a peaceful trail. Not many people go down it and those who do are almost always respectful. When we get to the Fen, we stop and admire the scenery.

Our lunch view

Happy Isles and its bathroom is a short walk from the Fen. We stop there, then cross the Happy Isles Bridge. We decided to go along the Merced River i

Sherri during lunch break

nstead of the Valley Loop Trail. But we found a place by the bridge to have lunch. A restful place with the roar of the river right beside us. Even after we finish eating, we relax for about 15 minutes.

 

 

And now we follow the river. It is a peaceful walk. We sauntered along, enjoying the water. Eventually we crossed through the North Pines Campground. Then Tenaya Creek. Instead of going through the Backpacker's Camp to join the Valley Loop, we continue to follow the River. Eventually we get to the lawn area of the Ahwahnee Hotel. Then we hit the bike path which follows Northside Drive.

Yosemite Falls from the Ahwahnee

We recognize a tree which looked awesome, or maybe described a bit better by being a stark reminder of Winter last January. Today, it just looks like a dead oak, nothing which is resonating with my soul. We continue on, going through the visitor plaza. The Visitor Center is closed-but I do not think we would have gone in anyway. We travel through to the Cemetery. I thought there was an exit on the far end, bit no, there is a low fence. So we backtracked a bit.

 

 

 

 

And now we do the surprise of the day. We see a sign for the Yosemite Public Library-a branch of the Mariposa County Library system. We are suckers for libraries, so we step in. It is a bit small, but for being a small branch, it is well stocked. Many of the books we have read.It is an indication of the quality of books there. We talked with Christine, the librarian, for a while. She explains that the people in the Valley tend to be pretty transitory. So a lot of times, the person cannot take their books, so they donate them to the library. As a note: Christine was an enjoyable person to talk with, you could tell she enjoyed being in Yosemite and enjoyed her work. We continue on our walk after this delightful time.

Gary looking at Yosemite Falls

We continued our walk along Northside. Drive and then turned north toward Yosemite Falls. Going this way is just a bit less crowded plus it is a more gentle climb. In general, I like this way better anyway-the rest is just an excuse for going this way. When we get to Yosemite Creek, we cross it on the wide bridge. Considering this is April, we are missing the normal spray blowing from the Falls. Just shows how little moisture there has been this Winter-and it does not seem like there will be too much more.

Sherri, Gary and Lower Yosemite Falls

We take a few pictures and then hurry on. The viewing is not crowded by Yosemite Falls standards, but I think we are just ready to check this stop off of our list. We go down to the bottom and visit the bathroom. It looks like the trams are running. We wait a few minutes and a bus comes along. I try to enter through the front-but COVID protocol says go in through the back. The driver says there are now two loops and we will need to transfer at Yosemite Village. So on we go. He takes a long stop at Yosemite Lodge and then off to the village.

At the village, we wait for the next bus. While we waited a large group of kids, well-behaved, came up. We decided to walk the rest of the way, a little more than a mile. I guess the time in the bus rested my legs for I felt the spring back in my step. The path we follow goes by the Merced River, on the north side-a bit further down from this afternoon. It is pleasant with only a few people. A good way to end the day. We did come across a man in a wheelchair enjoying his time. A short walk later, we come to Stoneman Bridge, which we cross.

On the other side is Stoneman Meadow and a short walk to the car. I think we are ready to sit down and enjoy the ride home. It is now around 4:30 and we have been walking a lot more than what we anticipated, but it does not appear like we have overdone it. We leave the Valley with only a brief stop at Wawona. Then on to Carl’s Jr at Oakhurst for dinner. We get home by 7:30. A full day. Glad we were able to see the Valley.

Extra Photo's

Yosemite Falls

Bridalveil Falls

Merced River and Sierra Point

Part of the Fen

Passageway under Clark's Bridge

Yosemite Falls and Lost Arrow

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls

Gary at Yosemite Falls area

Panorama from Stoneman Meadow

 
Flowers and Plants

Sticky Current

Sticky Current

Dogwood

Dogwood

Dogwood

April 19, 2022 - North Grove and Dead Giant Loops

 

Title: April 19, 2022 - North Grove and Dead Giant Loops

Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: General Grant Tree Parking Area

Trail: North Grove and Dead Giant Loops

Destination: North Grove Loop

Distance:  3.23 miles

Start Time: 11:57

End Time:    2:53

Travel Time: 2:55  (1.11 mph)

Moving Time: 2:21   (1.37 mph)

Elevation Rise:  661'

Descent: 660‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,327'

GPS Tracks

 

 

Gary with the Sequoias

Description:

We were going to go to Yosemite today with Jessi, but the weather forecast scared us off. On the other hand, the rain was not forecasted to get as far down as Grant Grove. So Sherri and I decided to go up there for a day.

There was no hurry to get up there, so we managed to leave around 10:20. The trip up is uneventful and takes a little bit more than an hour to get to the Grant Grove parking area. By this time it is 11:45. It still takes us about 25 minutes to get our boots moving towards the trailhead.

Lately when I have been hiking, I have gone down to my T-shirt and shorts. But today is a bit cool, actually pretty cool. So long pants and a long sleeve shirt are in order for me-Sherri is even a bit more bundled up. 

 

 

Looking up the trunks of Sequoias

Our route takes us down an old road which is the start of the North Grove Loop. Usually we go clockwise, but to be different, it is a counter-clockwise day. The first quarter mile is pretty level, but then it drops. We are too busy gawking at the Sequoias really to pay too much attention to the road as it starts its descents. I have always been enamored by a couple of Sequoias at the top of this descent. They do not seem as imposing as when you come from the bottom. The little meadow right afterwards is still recovering from the Winter. We will see more of it again later in the season.

Forest being rejuvinated

All of which I can say is: there are more Sequoias. It is hard to look at other things when you walk through these tall and big trees. Your heart can only rise try to meet the heights of these trees. If only I could reach to the heavens like these trees do.

Scorched trees

 

 

 

 

 

 

We now come to the west end of the loop and the scenery changes. The change is that six and a half years ago the Rough Fire stormed up through this part of the ridge. We see the forest being rejuvenated where it was not badly burnt. There is low level green sprouting up. But then a hundred yards later, there is nothing but blackened forests.Reminds me of blackened matchsticks. We quickly go through this section, saying “hi” to a few folks who are coming clockwise. 

Gary looking at Lake Sequoia

 

When we come to the junction with the Dead Giant Trail, we have a decision to make: have we had enough for today or go and do the Dead Tree Trail? We decide to do more-sort of our modus operandi. But first, let's find a log and have lunch.

After lunch, we continued down the road for a quarter mile or so, rounding a meadow with an unnamed creek draining into it. Sort of a quiet space so close to the hustle and bustle of the General Grant Tree. A long dead Sequoia lays across it, even in its mortality it attests to its inherit majesty.

 

 

Life on top of the Dead Giant

When we get to the loop, we go clockwise, which is contrary to our normal way. It is pleasant walking along and in a few minutes, we get to an overlook to Sequoia Lake. A really peaceful look. We then go on around the loop, to the Dead Giant. It is an imposing tree-I wonder what it looked like in its prime. While taking a picture, I noticed a twig with some pine needles on the top of it. Even in death, these giants give life.

A few steps later, we encountered three girls, they are young to me, probably in their 20’s.. Turns out they are from Nashville. I give them a few pointers-I guess I fall into the tour guide mode naturally. Nashville is where Rachel will be this weekend, to run a race. Coincidence? I wonder.

 

 

Downed Giant Sequoia

 

 

We now make our trip back up the slope to the parking area. It's a bit harder going up than down. Still it is a good walk. Just before we get to the parking area, we fall into a conversation with another older couple. A long conversation about all the good things there is to experience we have each done in our retirement.

 

 

 

Looking down into Redwood Canyon

And then it is back to the car. We go on, but I am wondering if Burton Road is open. So we get to Quail Flat. Nope, Burton Road is still closed. On the way back, we stopped at an overlook and looked into the destruction which the KNP Complex did in Redwood Canyon. So sad. We then go on back down to Fresno, getting back just before 5pm.

Extra Photo's

Nicely shaped Giant Sequoia

Sherri approaching the Dead Giant

Delilah Lookout

Sherri on the prowl

A couple of Sequoias growing together

Gary looking up a couple of Sequoias