Friday, May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025 - Yosemite Backpack

 


Title: May 16, 2025 - Yosemite Backpack
Hike Info : Description : Menu : Extra Photo's : Animals



Hike Info:

Type: Backpacking

Trail head: Bridalveil Creek

Trail: McGurk Meadow Trail, Pohono

Destination: McGurk Meadow Trailhead

Distance:  2.01 miles 

Start Time: 10:47

End Time:   12:33

Travel Time: 1:45  (1.15 mph)

Moving Time:  1:13  (1.65 mph)

Elevation Rise:  539'

Descent: 221‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,087'

GPS Tracks




 
 
 
 
Description:

Bridalveil Creek
I woke up at 5:50 and must have fallen asleep again as I really got out of the sleeping bag at 8. It being pretty cold outside could have also been a factor. I took a walk down to Bridalveil Creek. I enjoy a time just watching the water rush by me like lemmings ready to go over the Valley rim. Somehow the picture of lemmings is not right because the water seems joyful in its travels.

It is Steven's birthday. I am glad he chose to go backpacking with Rachel and I. We have our Oatmeal breakfast, is this really a birthday breakfast? We talked about plans for today. Obviously we are walking out today. Originally I was going to give Rachel and Steven the option of walking to Glacier Pt and I get the car. But for obvious reasons, that will not happen. Also, there is a spring with a great overlook of the Valley about a mile and of half east on the Pohono trail. Or just go back to the car. We decided to just go back.

 

 

 

 

Our camp deer
Rachel sees something off in the distance. Turns out it is a deer-maybe a year old. It moves cautiously closer to us and we just watch it while it watches us. Something startles it and it scampers away. But a few minutes later it brings back some friends-three of them.While they never came through camp, they did get near. Great entertainment for us.

But then we do not need to get an early start, so we leave at 10:45. I have almost all of the pack I came in on-both Rachel and Steven were willing to take some of my load considering yesterday. They already have the food and our tent. The first quarter mile is a steep climb up to the junction. I am already huffing and puffing. Fortunately, the rest of the trail is more of a gradual up. We still have the snow patches and logs to contend with. This just gives an excuse to catch my breath. This definitely a leisurely walk.

 

 

 


Crossing a snow patch

 We get to the car about 12:30. Steven drives us to Washburn Point. There we do the appropriate oohs and ahs of the country. I tell Rachel about what we are seeing. I notice somebody listening in, so I told about the Indian legend concerning the creation of Half, North and Basket Domes.

We decide that we are ready to go home. When we reached Oakhurst, we decided to try a new place to eat at: Los 2 Carnales. As it turned out this was a good move. Rachel and I shared a chilli relleno burrito while Steven had a steak fajita. I think we will add this place to our list of eating establishments. While there I give Sherri a call about what happened yesterday.

Then Rachel drives us back to Fresno. When we get into a stable cell service area, I give Kaiser a call to talk about what to do. Just as we cross the river, Kaiser recommends going to ER to get checked out. Rachel comes in with me while Steven takes the Highlander back home and fills in Sherri.

Kaiser runs all kinds of tests on me. Most of them show I am good. There is some concern about a protein which may indicate a heart attack may be coming. So I get admitted for observation overnight. The next day I have a stress test and ECG. Eventually they come out showing that the heart does not have an issue. I get released Saturday afternoon. 


 

You know I said that it was good we stopped in Oakhurst to eat? With everything else, I did not get to eat until close to noon Saturday. Also when I got home, it really felt good to have a shower.




Menu

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Snacks

Oatmeal and add-ins

Los 2 Carnales


Jelly Belly





Extra Photo's

Steven at Washburn Point

View from Washburn Point

Another snow patch crossing

The backcountry with Nevada and Vernal Falls

Animals





Thursday, May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025 - Yosemite Backpack

 



Title: May 15, 2025 - Yosemite Backpack






Hike Info:

Type: Backpacking 

Trail head: McGurk Meadow Trailhead

Trail: McGurk Meadow, Pohono Trail

Destination: Bridalveil Creek

Distance:  2.12 miles

Start Time: 10:45

End Time:    12:04

Travel Time:  1:19  (1.61 mph)

Moving Time: 1:06   (1.93 mph)

Elevation Rise:  334'

Descent: 507‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,084'

GPS Tracks

 



 

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Bridalveil Creek

Trail:  Pohono Trail

Destination: Dewey Point

Distance:  5.23 miles 

Start Time: 1:57

End Time:   7:05

Travel Time: 5:07  (1.02 mph)

Moving Time: 3:42   (1.41 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,266 '

Descent: 1,203‘+

Maximum Elevation: 7,351'

GPS Tracks


Description:

I get to go backpacking with my kids. Well, at least two of them-Rachel and Steven. It did not work out for us to backpack last weekend when Andrea was with us. Still, it is good to be out there. Two more things: they are no longer kids and two, we do not know if we are really going to be able to backpack. When I go to recreation.gov, it shows no permits are available anyplace in Yosemite. Our plan is to go to Yosemite and see if we can find availability. If not, we will do a day hike today, return to Fresno and go on a hike tomorrow with Sherri.

The three of us say our farewells to Sherri and leave at 7:45. I am driving. We stopped in Oakhurst at MacDonalds for some substance. Then at the Visitor’s Information. Both the Park and Sierra National Forest no longer have a presence there. All which the docent can tell us is that we will need to go into the Valley to get our permit. We enter the Park and go to the Wawona Ranger Station, which is closed. But I notice they have a bulletin board out in front. Is it possible we can do self-registration? Yes!


 

Now the question is where to go? I proposed a couple of places: Alder Falls or Bridalveil Creek. We chose the more relaxing trip to Bridalveil Creek. We set off for the McGurk Meadow Trailhead and arrived about 10:30. It takes us a few minutes to get ready, but our feet touch dirt at about 10:45.


Rachel's Log Crossing

Sherri and I have gone down this trail all the way to Dewey Point as a day hike.
Also nine years ago, Sherri, Sonya and I did an overnighter on this trail after an aborted JMT and Chain Lake trips. Memories. That is one good thing about taking a walk down a trail you know well.

But today is a day for new memories with my son and daughter. We go the first ¾ mile down to McGurk Cabin. Here I make my usual comment that McGurk must have been a pygmy as the doorway to his cabin is only about 3’ tall. Then we see the beginnings of the greens of his meadow. Somehow this meadow which does not look that big continues for over a mile. It is a breath of refreshment, especially since so far we have not attracted any mosquitos.

There are two notable things about the trail today. First, there are good patches of snow, even about 10-15 yards long. Nothing which causes a problem, just being on the alert for any ice under the snow. Then the other thing is the trail crew, if we have any things year, has not been out yet. It is a bit early for them. There are numerous logs across the trail. Some we go around, some we go over and one tree we do a limbo under. I guess I am going to get my exercise today.

We get to the junction with the Pohono

Looking east from Dewey Point
trail pretty quickly-after all it is mostly downhill. It is about a quarter mile to Bridalveil Creek. Once there, the mission is to find a campsite. While the area is pretty level, there is a slope to it. For Steven, that does not matter as he sets up his hammock. For Rachel and I who will be sharing a tent, it does. But we find a place which is reasonable and pitch our tent. Then it is on to lunch as it is a little past noon now.

We discussed what we wanted to do. It was decided to go to Dewey Point, only a little more than two miles away. The trail does have some debris, but not the number of downed trees like we encountered from McGurk. The trail leads us around the Valley rim, but never at a place where we have a few. It is mostly forested.

There is a sense of a rolling uphill towards Dewey Point. I am breathing hard, but by stopping occasionally I make it to the Point a little after 4. The view is spectacular. Anytime you look into the Valley, it is enough to take your breath away. Today it is not only figuratively, but literally. But Yosemite provides even a better backdrop. The snow is still heavy above 8,000’. Tops of mountains show a bit of granite but their flanks are coats of white. One can stay here a long time just gazing. God does know how to paint a picture.

Rachel takes a picture of our conquest. Then I leave a few minutes ahead of them. I realize that I am the weak link of this party, so I leave a few minutes before the others. I start off following some footprints to the southeast of Dewey, but quickly realize this is not the way. I spot the mileage marker just 20 yards away and head towards that.


 

When I got back on the trail, something did not seem right, so I stopped to let my body catch up with what I wanted to do. The next thing I know, Steven is asking if I am OK. I am wondering where I am, as in why am I on the ground. From what Steven said, I was out for about ten seconds. After a couple of minutes I got up, a bit concerned about what happened. Rachel puts her Apple watch on me to get some heartbeat and O2 readings. I looked at my CGM to make sure I did not go low. Everything looks good. Heart rate 115-130, O2 low 90’s and blood sugars at 180. After some discussion, we decided to call my brother David who has had some EMT training. We described the situation. He walked us through some of the concerns and possibilities.

With David’s input, we discussed what to do. I am feeling better, so the decision is to try to walk back at least to the junction, about two miles and see how I am doing. Rachel keeps David on the phone until we leave the service area. But that is not too much of a concern as both Rachel and I have PLB’s. Steven walks in front of me, pacing me, with Rachel making sure I look OK. The pacing is slow, very slow with lots of breaks.

 We get to the junction and I am doing OK. So Steven goes quickly to camp to draw water for dinner. By the time I get to camp, it is 7pm. Fortunately there is a lot of sunlight left. I rest while Steven and Rachel prepare dinner. Dinner is freeze dried lasagna and chicken pot pie. We have a little bit more than we needed. Still it is better to have too much than not enough.

By this time, the sky is darkening. But even more which we are aware of is that it is getting cold. Around 8:20, Steven retreats to his hammock while Rachel and I duck into our tent. Even in the tent and sleeping bag, the temperature gets a bit brisk until the bag warms up. I read for a bit and then go to sleep around 9:00.





Trail Lesson: Realize what is important in your life.



Menu

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Snacks

At home and McDonalds

Ritz Crackers, Peanut Butter, Nutella

Freeze dried lasagna and chicken pot pie

Clif Bar, GORP, Jelly Belly


Extra Photo's

Clark Range From Dewey Point

The Gunsight

Ribbon Falls

McGurk Meadows

Clouds Rest and Half Dome

El Capitan




 
Flowers and Plants

Snow Plants

Snow Plants

Sunday, May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025 - Yosemite Valley

 

Title: May 11, 2025 - Yosemite Valley
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo'sFlowers and Plants





Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head:  Yosemite Parking  Area

Trail: Cook Meadow, Valley Loop Trail

Destination:  None

Actual Destination: Mirror Lake 

Distance:  4.21 miles

Start Time:  11:15

End Time:     2:45

Travel Time: 3:40  (1.15 mph)

Moving Time: 2:05 (2.02 mph)

Elevation Rise: 784 '

Descent: 620‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,247'

GPS Track



Description:

It was the typical Spring day in Yosemite

Ribbon Falls
, with some exceptions. First, this is Mother’s Day. Second, all five of us were planning to go to Yosemite to celebrate this day. Third, Yosemite is not as crowded as expected. One of those did not play out. That would be Rachel did not go with us-Friday, the dog, was not doing well. So she stayed home.

Like I said, it is Mother’s Day. I got up around 5:45 and made pancakes for all of us. By 8:00, we were already ready to go. I am driving. Nothing exciting happens on the drive. Except Sherri does realize she forgot her phone. So no picture taking for her today. There is only one car in front of us at the entrance station. So we get in quickly. We do stop at Chinquapin. There was a German couple and we talked. They are going to Glacier Point. For the first time today, I played tour guide and told them about things they can see on the road. Then off we go into the Valley.

There is a lot of parking in front of Bridalveil Falls. We parked and walked up towards the Falls. There are dogwoods in bloom. We look up towards the Falls. They are coming over the lip and catching the sunlight. Not only that, mist is flying upwards, swirling around in the winds the falling water makes. This is one of the things which make Yosemite Valley special. Sherri and I go only part way up; Andrea and Steven go all the way up and get drenched. But by the time we get down to the car they are dry. It is that kind of day.

 

Bridalveil Falls

 

Then along Southside drive we go. A year and a half ago, Andrea and Lawrence got married at Cathedral Beach. The Merced River is up close to being full. The beach they were married on is covered. Andrea looks like she is going out, but her wisdom prevents her and she is content to gaze at the area.


Then it is onward. I am anticipating parking at
Curry Village, but it is full and traffic control waves us on to the Yosemite Parking Area. Time to recalibrate today’s walk. Sherri wants to go past Yosemite Falls. This makes route planning a bit easier.

Bridalveil Mist

We head towards Cooks Meadow. This gives us a view of the eastern end of the Valley-nothing like it in my 71 years of experience. Half Dome to the east, Yosemite Falls to the North and Glacier Point to the South. So much natural splendor.

We cross the Meadow going towards Yosemite Falls. The walking is leisurely. We climb up to the bridge over Yosemite Creek. Once we get to the bridge, there is some spray, but not really a lot-at least by Spring’s standards. Usually at this time of year, we are drenched with spray. We look and take pictures. We are now on the Valley Loop Trail. We leave the paved trail and have dirt under our feet. We start to head upward.

 

 

 

As we headed up, there were two couples who appeared lost and wanted a place to eat. I tell them to continue on this trail until they come to a parking area. When they get there, they are behind Degnans where they can get lunch. They are appreciative. I guess I cannot help but being a tour guide. Turns out the instructions are slightly off, but they are in the vicinity.

Now I am able to give our own group some instructions about where we will eat lunch. But somehow what I thought I was saying did not get conveyed. We still ended up looking at Ahwahnee Meadow as our lunch time location.





After lunch, we headed towards the
Ahwahnee, but did not go in. Just on the other side of the hotel, the Valley Loop Trail is closed. Why? There is some loose rock on the Royal Arches, so they have blocked off the area. But there is a route around the danger area.

Andrea and Steven travel ahead on the way to Mirror Lake

. We get to the section of trail which the horses use. There is an outhouse by the road going up to the Lake. I told Sherri that I would wait for them there. As a bonus, there is a whole forest of dogwood which I enjoy.

Steven, Sherri, Andrea
For 45 minutes I enjoy them until Andrea wonders where am I at? We coordinate and in a few minutes, I see them.We walked further on to the Mirror Lake tram stop. The tram is packed. We stay on until we reach our parking area.

We drove home after considering stopping for dinner in Oakhurst. Glad we waited as Rachel had a delicious spread waiting for us. This is a good Mother’s Day dinner. Thanks Rachel. Oh yeah, and Friday’s problem was that there was a pine needle in her paw.






 


Extra Photo's



Royal Arches Falls

Bridalveil Falls Mist

Sun through mist and leaves

Top of Bridalveil Falls

 
Flowers and Plants




Dogwood

Dogwood